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Early history of the sport. Cycling as a sport officially began on May 31, 1868, with a 1,200-metre (1,312-yard) race between the fountains and the entrance of Saint-Cloud Park (near Paris). The winner was James Moore, an 18-year-old expatriate Englishman from Paris.
History of the bicycle Bicycle predecessors. Historians disagree about the invention of the bicycle, and many dates are challenged. It is most likely that no individual qualifies as the inventor and that the bicycle evolved through the efforts of many.
Major bicycle production in Britain began in 1868, when Rowley B. Turner took a Michaux bicycle to Britain and showed it to his uncle, Josiah Turner, manager of the Coventry Sewing Machine Company. Rowley Turner ordered 400 machines, which were slated to be sold in Britain and France.
Major bicycle production in Britain began in 1868, when Rowley B. Turner brought a French-built bicycle to Britain and showed it to his uncle, Josiah Turner, manager of the Coventry Sewing Machine Company.
Most are derived from a unique bicycle created in 1963 by a British engineer, Alex Moulton. His design used a single large tube as its main horizontal member, and it featured small 16-inch- (41-cm-) diameter wheels and both front and rear suspension to overcome the harsh ride inherent in small wheels.
Established in 1903 by Henri Desgrange (1865–1940), a French cyclist and journalist, the race has been run every year except during the World Wars. Desgrange’s newspaper, L’Auto (now L’Equipe), sponsored the Tour to boost circulation.
By the 1890s the standard bicycle design was established, and, with the smooth ride enabled by the new pneumatic tires, its popularity exploded. The so-called mountain bike became the standard design by the early 1990s. The bicycle is used worldwide as a basic means of transportation.
Cycling has been a part of the Olympic Games since the first modern Summer Olympics in 1896. Though there are four different cycling disciplines included as events—road, track, mountain bike, and bicycle motocross (BMX)—the only style of competition to be featured is racing (that means there are no tricks involved in BMX).
Cycling as recreation became organized shortly after racing did. In its early days, cycling brought the sexes together in an unchaperoned way, particularly after the 1880s when cycling became more accessible owing to the invention of the Rover Safety bicycle.
Sport cycling began in 1868 with a race near Paris, France. The first recorded race in the United States was held in 1878 in Boston, Massachusetts. The most famous bicycle race, the Tour de France, began in 1903.