1. The first human powered land vehicle was constructed by Giovanni Fontana in 1418. (I got my first bike sometime around 1954)2. The term "bicycle" first entered into popular usage in France in the 1860s.
3. The prototype of the mountain bike was not developed until 1977. (I rode a mountain bike while a bike cop 1998 - 2001 where I even learned how to traverse stairs. Funnest job I ever had!)
4. The longest "tandem" bike ever built was almost 67 feet long and could seat 35. (I call dibs on the last seat.)
5. The smallest adult bicycle ever created had wheels made from silver dollars. ??
6. I crashed into a parked car once while kicking at a dog biting at my foot & not watching where I was riding. I was about 5 years old. I cried.
7. The fastest speed ever recorded on a bicycle was attained by American Olympic Cyclist and Ironman triathlon competitor John Howard, when he reached 152.2 mph in 1985. My fastest speed was 45 mph down Little Cottonwood Canyon, SLC. I'll never go that fast again on skinny little tires. . . .
8. Lance Armstrong's heart is one-third larger than "normal." (Lance is the seventh cousin of Katie Couric.) My heart has a stent & I don't know who my seventh cousin is.
5. The smallest adult bicycle ever created had wheels made from silver dollars. ??
6. I crashed into a parked car once while kicking at a dog biting at my foot & not watching where I was riding. I was about 5 years old. I cried.
7. The fastest speed ever recorded on a bicycle was attained by American Olympic Cyclist and Ironman triathlon competitor John Howard, when he reached 152.2 mph in 1985. My fastest speed was 45 mph down Little Cottonwood Canyon, SLC. I'll never go that fast again on skinny little tires. . . .
8. Lance Armstrong's heart is one-third larger than "normal." (Lance is the seventh cousin of Katie Couric.) My heart has a stent & I don't know who my seventh cousin is.
9. There are roughly one billion bicycles in the world (about twice as many as motor vehicles) I own three of them.
10. According to Transportation Alternatives, 10% of New York City's work force--approximately 65,000 humans--commute by bicycle. (And I rode the subway or took a cab while in NYC!) 
This little guy could be riding exactly like this when he's 70
years old... ya never know. Hopefully, not with the training wheels :-)
4 comments:
Maybe that bike made with silver dollars was for that really short guy...what was his name? Tiny Tim or something like that. Heaven's know I'd never ride that one. Interesting facts by the way.
I'm glad you don't ride your bike at 152 mph!
Wow I can't imagine riding any bike that fast! I love the bike history! I got a used bike for my birthday..it was too big...I was about 7 years old.
These are really interesting facts. Now, when bikers come into the visitor's center, all spandex-clad, I can throw out a few of these tidbits and really impress them! Do you think Lance's freakishly large heart gives him an unfair advantage over other bikers?
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