Over half a century later, still one of her best memories and most treasured photos is the one of her little brother and her perched on the banana seat of her green girl's Schwinn Stingray bicycle.
Bikes have that magical quality, to make and mark the very of best times and special precious moments.
Raleigh Fireball, too
"If your dad tells you all bikes are alike, tell him humbug! If you're asking for a new bicycle, say for Christmas, be sure to ask for a Raleigh. Nothing is skimped in their construction. There's no question you'll have the finest. And at a fair price." Boys' Life ad, Dec. 1968
The year was 1970, with her 1969 Kmart All-Pro Jet Star 3-speed suicide shifter 20" bicycle.
Incredibly rare, it is said only 200-500 bicycles were imported from the German manufacturer.
She's 65 years-old now, and this remains one of the best times of her life.
A bicycle this cool would make it so.
That would depend on its condition. It seems only 8,500 were made. One in average condition has been listed on a popular auction site for $3,500.
Another, in better condition is listed for $7,850.
Considering the rarity, and condition, it wouldn't be surprising to see one top $10,000 to a collector.
The #cycle trade in Coventry grew out of the Coventry Sewing Machine Co., founded in 1863.
Finding it difficult to expand, it diversified.
The name was changed to Coventry Machinists Co. in 1869.
1871: 70% of the #bicycle industry was in the Midlands - like Eagle, Rudge-Whitworth, Swift and Triumph.
Grandmother, cap askew and smile shy,
next to a bike that once taught her to fly.
Tiny sister eyes wide and still,
on wheels promising her some future thrill.
It carried youngsters so bold—
silvery spokes sparkled as stories unfold.
That #bicycle knew laughter and wind,
a joy only cycling can spin.
The G.M. Shirk Mfg. Co. in Chicago, Ill. made #bicycles from 1895-98, recognized for its innovative designs and quality craftsmanship.
It also made "refrigerators" and agricultural equipment, in-line rippers (used in farming for soil preparation), and machinery for various agricultural applications.
Promoted in the 1890s to appeal to a growing interest in cycling, and noted for its modern design and freedom it offered, especially to women.
It cures the Blues.
It saves the shoes.
It brings content and merriment.
The prudent Buyer Selects the
Shirk #Bicycle,
The lightest and latest in the world.
Huffy introduced the Radio Bike in 1955, the same year the transistor radio debuted.
Elvis 1956 hit songs to play: Blue Suede Shoes, Don't Be Cruel, Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog, Love Me Tender
Fats Domino's Blueberry Hill; Bill Haley & His Comets' See You Later Alligator, Doris Day's Que Sera, Sera.
Referee Suits of all wool, Ponchos, Capes, Racing Suits, Sweaters, Stockings, Puttees and Spats - by 1898, men's clothing reflected the widespread adoption of the new-fangled transportation that had become all the rage.
Clothing and gear for varied weather conditions were widely available.
Tally Ho!
The unexpected fall in 2011 of a heavy light fixture from the ceiling of the Big Dig vehicular tunnel in Boston revealed that corrosion had weakened its support.
An improper use of aluminum in contact with stainless steel had caused rapid corrosion in the presence of salt water - unknown until then.
The League of American Wheelmen was a top advocacy group for the improvement of roads and highways in the United States long before the advent of the automobile.
In the late 19th century, the Good Roads Movement was founded and led by the League, which began publishing "Good Roads" magazine in 1892.
A photograph of Emmy Souter of South Cave, England, taken in the early 1900s, showing her in her finery, with a bicycle, capturing early 20th-century leisure activities in rural England.
South Cave, still known for good cycling, is a village and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England.
Imperial Wheels bicycles were produced by the Ames & Frost Company during the bicycle boom of the 1890s and known for quality construction, using English seamless steel tubing and aluminum castings.
They were part of a larger trend in the United States towards #bicycle manufacturing during that era.
AI poses a challenge to the youth of today.
Knowing how to fix stuff, to engage in creative problem solving, to foster a cooperative atmosphere, with a common denominator (all kids love bikes) is proven to be wonderfully beneficial.
Bike recycling/repair is cool.
Our Bike Lab concept is so much fun!
AI poses a challenge to the youth of today.
Knowing how to fix stuff, to engage in creative problem solving, to foster a cooperative atmosphere, with a common denominator (all kids love bikes) is proven to be wonderfully beneficial.
Bike recycling/repair is cool.
Our Bike Lab concept is so much fun!
International Women's Day
The bicycle, particularly the "safety bicycle" introduced in the late 19th century, played a pivotal role in transforming women's social roles and advancing their emancipation such as the right to vote, broader equality for over five decades and rational attire for cycling.
February 22 used to be the celebration of George Washington’s birthday.
It became a federal holiday in 1878.
Deep in the throes of the #bicycle craze, it soon became "Bicycle Day."
Retailers showed off latest models.
Theodore Roosevelt, in 1902, shown escorted by police riding chainless #bicycles.
Data from 52 studies shows cycling (commuting, leisure, or group rides) counts as regular recreational or total physical activity, showing consistent biking a practical and an enjoyable way to cut colon cancer risk by about 24%, especially as a sustainable, low-impact, daily habit for men and women.
Year of the Horse―Happy New Year
As in America in the late 1800's, China saw a huge societal shift with the Flying Pigeon #bicycle, offering new mobility for the masses.
500 million Flying Pigeon PA-02 bicycles have been made since 1950.
As of 2007, more've been made than any other model of vehicle.
A Tale of The Pirate and The Goose
There was once a young poor boy who wanted a #bicycle.
He loved a little beat-up #bike in particular, but it was in bad shape.
His friend, an artist, told him it could be painted.
The boy chose colors he liked best.
A bit of alchemy, turning lead into gold ― voilà!
Happy Valentine's Day to everyone riding solo this year.
No human partner?
No problem.
My #bicycle has really been my bestie - over every hill, through headwinds, and heartbreak.
We are celebrating with roses, candles, and a quiet cuppa — spending V-Day with my faithful, true love (sorry, humans).
It is likely a political statement of sorts, a rebellion of the societal attitude that women were somehow to be relegated to a back seat.
The woman is leading, in a new found freedom, illustrated wearing modern fashion that the bicycle had led to.
It is something people of the time would understand.
A. Gilbert was a specialized commercial illustrator active in the 1890s.
Clément & Cie was one of the most prestigious French #bicycle manufacturers of the Belle Époque.
Designed to promote Société des Vélocipèdes Clément, A. Gilbert truly captured the energy, elegance, and modern spirit of the era.
Love
PAL (Jean de Paléologue), a Romanian-born painter and illustrator, of Byzantine royal descent, trained in England, was renowned for elegant Art Nouveau-style pieces.
PAL created posters for Clément Cycles in the 1890s, capturing the era's modernity and sense of freedom associated with #cycling.
Valentine's Day:
Artist, Alméry Lobel-Riche depicted a fashionable, happy, Belle Époque couple speeding along on Peugeot #bicycles at dusk or twilight in elegant attire.
Her flowing clothing animates a dramatic sense of motion, with glowing red and yellow lamps on the #bikes adding a vibrant energy.
Valentine's Day:
Ferdinand Mifliez (Misti) created #bicycle posters that were lively and narrative-driven, vibrant, dynamic French advertising art, featuring bold colors, elegant figures, humorous or adventurous scenes, with Art Nouveau-inspired elements like flowing lines and dramatic compositions.
Designed by Benjamin Bowden for “Britain Can Make It Better” exhibition of 1946 and simply known as the Classic (later, the Spacelander), it was to show how the bicycle of 20 years hence would look.
The initial design for the bike had wheel dynamos that gave riders extra power when traveling uphill.
In 2022, there were 7,522 pedestrians and 1,105 bicyclists killed by motor vehicles in America.
In 2023, 937 cyclists were killed by motor vehicles.
In 2024 and 1st half of 2025: 61,820 Americans died from car crashes.
Imagine the outrage/uproar if those deaths were from mass shooters or terrorists?
In this poster for Plasson cycles, award-winning Parisian artist, Manuel Robbe, had created a lovely Belle Epoque illustration of himself and his wife (depicted as the "modern woman," her costume, and a revolutionary activity) in a splendid visual advocacy of that brand, and of the art of bicycling.
