… or at least how Raleigh’s were made in England in 1945. This short documentary from the British Council is an amazing period piece. The film’s War-era government propaganda style is entertaining. The footage and explanation of 1940s bike manufacturing is fascinating. I’m especially impressed that the factory is nearly self-sufficient, making all the tubing, lugs, bottom bracket shells, and components needed for bike building. Enjoy.
Tommy Godwin redefines what it means to be a dedicated cyclist. In 1939 he set the world record for most miles ridden in a year by riding 75,065 miles (120,805 kms). In order to do so, he had to average 205 miles every day for the entire year. He rode the equivalent of three times around the Earth’s circumference. To top it off, he did all of his riding on a more than 30-pound Raleigh with a four-speed Sturmey-Archer hub (Raleigh and SA were Godwin’s sponsors). When he finished his record setting year, he spent several weeks re-learning how to walk before heading off to fight in World War II.
Godwin was born in 1912 in Stokes-on-Trent, England. He began to realize his potential as a cyclist while working as a bike delivery boy for a grocer. He went on to a successful amateur and professional cycling career winning over 200 road and time trial races before tackling the world record.
Cycling writer Dave Barter has details on Godwin’s history and record breaking year on his blog.
(FYI for those watching at work: the video’s got some swearing and such)
Posted in Everything Else
Day Labor from Minka on Vimeo.
Brendan O’Neill Kohl’s “Day Labor” is a charming short film that imagines what would happen if everyone started hiring day laborers to do their work for them. It starts with one enterprising (read: lazy) bike messenger, and snowballs from there. And though the film ultimately is not about bikes, Kohl features a bunch of real Seattle messengers, which is more than enough reason to post on this Seattle-based, bike-centric site.
It’s Presidents day today so it only seems appropriate to post up some photos of U.S. Presidents riding bikes.
Barack Obama is not exactly the picture of coolness or style when it comes to riding bikes.
Given his love of ranch work and pretending to be a cowboy, it’s no surprise George W. Bush is into mountain biking.
Bill Clinton getting rad riding indoors.
Posted in Everything Else, History