Beginnings in the 19th Century - The Birth of Cycling

The Invention of the Bicycle and First Competitions

The 19th century marks the birth of cycling and thus the beginning of one of the world's most fascinating sports. The development from the primitive running machine to the modern racing bike was characterized by technical innovations, daring pioneers, and the growing enthusiasm of the masses for this new form of transportation.

Karl Drais's Running Machine (1817)

The history of cycling begins with the invention of the running machine by the Baden forestry official Karl Drais in 1817. This "Draisine" was still far removed from a modern bicycle - it had no pedals and was propelled by pushing off from the ground with the feet. Nevertheless, it laid the foundation for all further developments.

The Velocipede and the First Races (1860s)

The real breakthrough came in the 1860s with the development of the velocipede - the first bicycle with pedals. The French inventors Pierre Michaux and Pierre Lallement brought the decisive innovation in 1861: pedals on the front axle. This vehicle, called a "bone-shaker," was uncomfortable but significantly faster than the Draisine.

The first documented bicycle race took place on May 31, 1868, in the Parc de Saint-Cloud near Paris. The Englishman James Moore won this historic race over 1,200 meters on a wooden velocipede. This event is considered the birth of organized cycling.

The Era of High-Wheelers (1870-1890)

The 1870s brought the development of the high-wheeler (Penny-Farthing), which became the symbol of this era. The enormously large front wheel enabled higher speeds but also made riding dangerous - falls from great heights were common.

Technical Characteristics of the High-Wheeler

Famous High-Wheeler Races and Records

The 1880s were the heyday of high-wheeler racing. Daring riders set spectacular records and thrilled spectators with death-defying maneuvers.

Significant Records of the High-Wheeler Era:

1. Hour World Record 1876: James Moore rode 23.331 kilometers in one hour
2. 100-Mile Record 1882: H.L. Cortis needed 7 hours 5 minutes
3. Paris-Rouen 1869: The first long-distance race over 123 kilometers
4. London-Brighton 1869: First British road race over 87 kilometers

The Professionalization of Cycling

With increasing popularity, cycling developed from a leisure activity to a professional sport with paid riders, sponsors, and large prize money.

Emergence of the First Velodromes

The 1870s and 1880s saw the construction of the first velodromes - oval tracks specifically designed for bicycle racing. These enabled weather-independent races and attracted thousands of spectators.

Early Significant Velodromes:

• Parc des Princes, Paris (1873): First permanent velodrome in France
• Herne Hill, London (1891): Oldest still active velodrome in the world
• Buffalo Velodrome, Paris (1893): Legendary indoor track with 250-meter oval
• Madison Square Garden, New York (1879): Venue of the first six-day races

The Six-Day Race Phenomenon

In the late 1870s, the first six-day races emerged in England and the USA - brutal endurance competitions in which riders had to ride almost continuously for six days. These events were extremely popular with spectators but were controversially discussed due to the health strain on riders.

The Safety Bicycle Revolution (1885)

The year 1885 brought the decisive turning point: John Kemp Starley developed the Rover Safety Bicycle - a bicycle with two equally sized wheels, chain drive, and low center of gravity. This design already strongly resembled the modern bicycle and heralded the end of the high-wheeler era.

Technical Innovations of the Safety Bicycle

Dunlop's Pneumatic Tires (1888)

The last major innovation of the 19th century came in 1888 through John Boyd Dunlop, who invented the air-filled rubber tire. These "pneumatic tires" revolutionized cycling - they were lighter, faster, and more comfortable than the previous solid rubber tires.

Impact of Pneumatic Tires on Racing:

• Speed increase of 20-30%
• Reduction of vibrations and thus less fatigue
• Better grip in corners
• Enabling longer race distances

Pioneers and Legends of the Early Days

The early years of cycling produced fascinating personalities who shaped the sport and became folk heroes.

James Moore - The First Champion

James Moore (1849-1935) is considered the first cycling star in history. The Englishman, born in Bury St. Edmunds and raised in Paris, not only won the very first documented bicycle race in 1868 but also the first road race Paris-Rouen in 1869.

Arthur Augustus Zimmerman - The First International Star

The American Arthur Augustus Zimmerman (1869-1936) became the first true international cycling superstar in the 1890s. With his elegant riding style and his series of victories on both sides of the Atlantic, he inspired an entire generation of cyclists.

Zimmerman's Achievements:

• American Sprint Champion 1891, 1892, 1893
• World Champion over 1 mile 1893
• Over 100 documented victories in Europe and America
• Estimated annual income 1893: $35,000 (approximately $1 million today)

The Emergence of National and International Race Series

Towards the end of the 19th century, organized race series began to establish themselves, laying the foundation for the modern Grand Tours.

Bordeaux-Paris (1891) - The First Great Long-Distance Race

The race Bordeaux-Paris, first held in 1891 over 572 kilometers, was the longest one-day race of its time and is considered the precursor to modern classics.

The Role of the Bicycle Industry

The emerging bicycle industry quickly recognized the marketing potential of bicycle racing. Manufacturers such as Peugeot, Bianchi, and Raleigh sponsored riders and teams to promote their products - the beginning of modern sports marketing.

Important Bicycle Manufacturers of the 19th Century:

1. Peugeot (France, founded 1882) - First major sponsor of bicycle racing
2. Bianchi (Italy, founded 1885) - Produced racing bikes for world-class riders
3. Raleigh (England, founded 1887) - Largest British manufacturer
4. Cycles Gladiator (France, founded 1891) - Specialist for racing bikes

Social Significance

19th-century cycling was more than just sport - it was a social phenomenon that affected all social classes.

Democratization of Mobility

The bicycle and thus cycling contributed significantly to the democratization of mobility. While horses and carriages were reserved for the wealthy, the middle class could also afford a bicycle.

Media Coverage

The first bicycle races were intensively covered by the emerging mass press. Newspapers like "Le Vélo" (founded 1892) dedicated themselves exclusively to cycling and contributed to its popularization.

Development of Cycling Press:

• 1891: First regular cycling columns in daily newspapers
• 1892: Founding of "Le Vélo" - first pure cycling newspaper
• 1896: Over 50 specialized cycling publications in Europe and USA
• 1899: First photographs of bicycle races in newspapers

Technical Developments and Rulebooks

The rapid development made the standardization of rules and technical standards necessary.

First Race Rules and Regulations

Initially, there were hardly any uniform rules. Each organizer set their own regulations, which led to controversies. Only towards the end of the century did national associations begin to develop uniform rulebooks.

Important Early Regulations:

• Setting minimum weights for racing bikes (from 1890)
• Ban on pacemakers in certain races
• Introduction of start classes by ability
• Regulation of material assistance during races

The Founding of First Cycling Associations

The organization of the sport led to the founding of national associations:

1. 1868: Bicycle Union (later Cyclists' Touring Club) in Great Britain
2. 1881: League of American Wheelmen in the USA
3. 1885: Deutscher Radfahrer-Bund
4. 1890: Union Vélocipédique de France

Internationalization

Towards the end of the 19th century, cycling became increasingly international - riders traveled between continents to participate in prestigious races.

First World Championships

The very first cycling world championships took place in 1893 in Chicago - though still without an official international organization. Only in 1900 was the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) founded, which standardized the sport worldwide.

Chicago 1893 - First Unofficial World Championship:

• Held as part of the World's Fair
• Only sprint competitions on the track
• Participants from USA, England, France, and Germany
• Winner: Arthur Augustus Zimmerman (USA)

Transatlantic Rivalries

The rivalry between American and European riders characterized the 1890s and drove professionalization forward. Americans initially dominated track sprints, while Europeans were more successful in road races.

Challenges and Dangers

Early cycling was extremely dangerous - poor roads, primitive equipment, and lack of safety measures led to numerous accidents.

Risks of the High-Wheeler Era

Riding high-wheelers was life-threatening. The so-called "header" - a headfirst fall over the handlebars - often ended with serious injuries or death.

Health Concerns

Doctors warned of the supposed health dangers of cycling - from "bicycle face" (alleged permanent facial distortion) to back damage. Most of these concerns were unfounded, but the extreme strain of six-day races was indeed problematic.

Women in Early Cycling

Although cycling in the 19th century was male-dominated, there were courageous pioneers who broke social conventions.

Early Female Racers

Annie Londonderry (1870-1947) circumnavigated the world on a bicycle in 1894-1895 as the first woman - a sensational achievement that caused a worldwide sensation. In France and England, there were already isolated women's races in the 1880s, though with considerably shorter distances than for men.

Significant Female Pioneers:

• Annie Londonderry: World circumnavigation 1894-1895 (15 months)
• Tessie Reynolds: London-Brighton record 1893 (8 hours 30 minutes)
• Hélène Dutrieu: First European hour world record holder 1895

The Legacy of the 19th Century

The developments of the 19th century laid the foundation for modern cycling. Many races founded at that time still exist today.

Enduring Traditions

Elements of cycling that emerged in the 19th century and still exist today:

• Classic Races: Liège-Bastogne-Liège (since 1892), Paris-Roubaix (since 1896)
• Velodromes: Herne Hill Velodrome (active since 1891)
• Team Structures: Concept of sponsored teams and captains
• Scoring Systems: Points and time classifications
• Pacemakers: Later replaced by modern drafting

Influence on the Tour de France

The experiences and developments of the 19th century enabled the founding of the Tour de France in 1903 - the most significant bicycle race in the world. Without the pioneering work of early race organizers, the technical innovations, and the professionalization of the sport, the Tour would not have been possible.