Pedal power popular
The bicycle originated as a children's toy, the hobby horse, which consisted of a platform - sometimes shaped like a horse - that connected two wheels, front and rear. The rider straddled the device and propelled it across the ground with his or her feet. Later came the 'boneshakers' - solid-tyred, wooden-framed contraptions with springless seats, followed by the 'high wheeler' or 'penny farthing' style machine. Its large front wheel made it prone to accidents, so by the 1900s the safety cycle had become the most popular machine, complete with pneumatic tyres and brakes. Penny farthings are still being produced in Oamaru. Cycling is a great way to make exercise part of your daily routine; it’s good for the environment and it gets you from door to door. So while the weather's warm and the days are long, get out there and ride your bike! Tragic story of 'Scorcher' Jones
View the full-size photo. More heritage cycling photos. The Season of CyclingThis Christchurch City Council initiative aims to help people discover the joys of cycling. See their top rides in Christchurch. Christchurch has a developing network of cycle routes for commuters as well as fun and challenging recreational tracks. The Cycle Network Map [PDF 750KB] shows road-based cycleways, but there are also off-road easy rides, tracks and trails, and scenic routes sections around the city. The Season of Cycling runs until April 2008. Atalanta Ladies Cycling ClubThe club for women cyclists in Christchurch was formed in August 1892. It would be fair to say the women met with some opposition from the public. To ward off attacks by stone throwers, brothers of the women accompanied them on outings around the city. The club closed in 1897 by which time public attitudes to women cyclists had changed. Suffragette Kate Sheppard (1848-1934) was one of the club's committee members. Resource of the week: Opposing Viewpoints Resource CenterContentious issues are the bread and butter of this acclaimed social issues series published by Greenhaven Press. From welfare reform to US foreign policy and issues of race, religion and moral debates, this database contains academic articles, multimedia, statistics and websites that as well as other reference content to provide a complete one-stop source for information on social issues.Nearly three million articles and climbing. Access this with your library card number and PIN, or at your libraries. We recommend: Cycling resourcesOur online resources:
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Next week - NZ Cup and Show WeekThe New Zealand Cup and Show Week are two of the highlights of the Canterbury year - get prepared with the help of next week's edition. |
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Clement 'Scorcher' Jones was a well-known cyclist in Christchurch who often raced at Lancaster Park (now AMI Stadium). While practising for a five-mile (8km) motor cycle race against S.F. Napper, the front wheel of his bike collapsed at about 25 mph. He lost control of the bike and crashed into a picket fence and was killed. See Lyttelton Times, 24 Dec. 1908, p. 8.
Rail Ride 07
Cycling stars 
