Bicycle Racing

The 1890s was the peak of the American bicycle craze, and consumers, including women, were buying bicycles in large numbers. Despite critics who tried to discourage women from trying this new sport, women took to the bike in huge numbers, and mastery of the bicycle became a metaphor for women’s mastery over their lives. Spurred by the emergence of the “safety” bicycle and the ensuing cultural craze, women’s professional bicycle racing thrived in the United States from 1895 to 1902.

Watching a bicycle race is exciting, but have you ever wondered about the science behind the speed? From before riders reach the track until they blaze across the finish line, science plays a key role. Find out about the concepts behind bicycle and track design, aerodynamic clothing and gear, and much more!

When more than 100 men or women go racing down a road, inches away from each other, in all weather, over all kinds of roads, the opportunity for a brilliant win or a terrible accident is always there. For more than a century, bicycle racers have sought glory, but have often found only misery. There can be only one winner, and even that triumph can be mixed with terrible loss. Fausto Coppi, coached by a blind man, set the World Hour Record in Milan during the war while the city was being shattered by bombs.

Dirt bike racers don't let anything stand in their way as they blaze to the finish line. Tight turns, steep hills, or huge jumps - these riders brave them all. Take a look at dirt bikes, how they work, and the races they compete in.

Six Day Bicycle Racing dominated international sport in the 1920s and died suddenly at the onset of World War II. Lost for over a half-century, this, the quintessential short book on the subject, explains why.

THE ARCHER is about a biotech research scientist named Diana who is an avid bow hunter and addicted to lattes. She develops a new drug, REDIGEN, which promotes the growth of red blood cells which is also found to improve stamina in bicycle racers. Several riders training for the Tour de France start using it. Finding that her father, has cancer, she sells her stock in MaxGen and retires to the mountains to be with him. Diana inadvertently discovers that the cause of a rider's death is her drug which has a danberous side effect. Her efforts to reveal the truth motivates many to seek her ...