As always with Valentine's Day, it can be hard to think of ways to really spend quality time together. So why not take a leaf out of the history books with some tandem biking on this beautiful day?
Since the 1960s, the popularity of the tandem bike has
resurfaced. At one end of the spectrum, they're extremely popular on the
racetrack. On the other hand, they are excellent family bikes that allow fresh
air fun for all ages. When tandem bikes first gained popularity in the 1890s,
it was all about romance, and it's not hard to see why.
From the mistress to the music halls
Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do,
I’m half crazy, all for the love of you,
It won’t be a stylish marriage,
I haven’t got a carriage,
But you’ll look sweet, up on the seat
Of a bicycle built for two!
Written
by Harry Dacre in 1892, this popular song was believed to be inspired by Daisy
Greville, the Countess of Warwick and one of Edward VII's mistresses.
Dacre is
said to have charged import duties on the bike he brought with him when
traveling to the US. Dacre is said to have been fascinated by the idea of a
"two-seater" bike when a friend remarked that it was not made for
two, otherwise he would be charged double.
The song, which quickly entered the music halls, was just in time. The 1890s were the first time tandem bikes became truly popular. Mikael Pedersen, a Danish inventor, is credited with creating the first public tandem with the Pedersen bicycle in 1898. The trend quickly caught on, and the first machines included the likes of Humber, Singer, Rudge, Raleigh, Whitworth, and Chater Lea.
Courting bicycles
Given the provocative but highly respectable closeness
between two riders that a tandem bike allows, they quickly earned the nickname
'court bikes', popular with couples looking to spend time together. The idea
was for the gentleman to get in the back seat and use the steering wheel, while
the lady could perch forward with enough ground for her skirts. This meant that
all the controls were loaded on the rear passenger, only the person in front
could enjoy the ride.
Alternatively, there was also the creation of 'social'
for side-by-side variation in tandem. Perhaps one of the greatest forms of
flattery is satire, and the popularity of both the tandem and Dacre's song was
such that both were the subject of satirical versions playing on the symbolic
link between tandem and marriage.
Enjoying life and being healthy after turning 90 is an accomplishment in itself, but Betty Cox, now 91, didn't want to stop there. She and her 86-year-old husband, Graham, bought a tandem bike so they could continue to enjoy their lifelong passion. And after just one season of driving, they've managed to top an astonishing 1,000 mph.
Truly built for two
Over time, the tandem developed. Somewhere along the
way, it may have been noted that courting bikes put women directly in the line
of fire in the event of a collision, and their front tires bear the weight of
the cold winds. But more than that, as the trend towards tandem cycling grew,
men chose to cycle together, which required greater equality in control of the
bikes.
Today, tandem bikes are much more sophisticated than
in those early days, and there are absolutely no gender constraints on who
should steer or take responsibility. However, nothing has changed. These early
riders definitely had something right – given a nice place, few things are more
romantic or offer a better way to spend quality time with someone you love. What
could be more romantic than a two-seater bike?
Comments
Post a Comment