ICEBIKERS sometimes think themselves unique or inventive, and almost
always believe themselves to be resourceful. These beliefs are all true of course, and
athletic, competitive, self reliant and macho suggest themselves frequently as well.
ICEBIKERS sometimes think that winter cycling is relatively
new, an
invention of the last 10 years or so, made possible by modern fabrics and commercial
studded tires.
However, if the truth be known, ICEBIKING has been around a long time.
That term, of course, was coined by Joe Clark, the originator of the ICEBIKE mailing list.
But the concept predates all of the current winter cyclists and all of our modern gear. It
dates virtually from the invention of the bicycle.
Winter cycling was hot (figuratively and literally) and heavy (probably
much heavier) in the early days of bicycles, before the popularization of the automobile.
There were few alternatives for personal transportation other than horses, which were
expensive to feed and house.
The bicycle found its way into every corner of
"modern" life, and was ridden in all corners of the world. Hardy cyclists drove
bicycles into wilderness areas where roads were nonexistent. The arrival of the bicycles
lead to the demand for roads, and today's modern road system is the result of the demands
of "wheelmen". All this happened before the automobile was available to any but
the rich.
It was a natural progression to winter cycling. The freedom of movement
afforded by the bicycle would not easily be surrendered to autumn breezes or winter
chills. Getting off the bicycle meant walking in many cases.
In this section of the ICEBIKE web site we will gather articles on winter
cycling in the early days. As usual we solicit your input. If you have old photos or
written histories we would be glad to give them an permanent home here on the ICEBIKE
site.
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