Reviews
"In 1901, Fancy Cycling , an extraordinary book by Isabel Marks, was published, showing straight-faced paragons of Edwardian society pulling off some pretty daring (and peculiar) stunts. Marvel as these tailored tricksters demonstrate how to pick up a handkerchief without dismounting, ride backwards while seated on the handlebar, and 'tilting at the ring'." - T he Guardian, (June 13, 2013), "In 1901, Fancy Cycling , an extraordinary book by Isabel Marks, was published, showing straight-faced paragons of Edwardian society pulling off some pretty daring (and peculiar) stunts. Marvel as these tailored tricksters demonstrate how to pick up a handkerchief without dismounting, ride backwards while seated on the handlebar, and 'tilting at the ring'."-- The Guardian " If you shake your head at what kids are up to nowadays, you should see what your (great) great grandmother was up to! Namely, Unicorn Driving and the Butterfly Dance. There's a whole chapter on Coasting techniques and one with women in full dresses wielding swords. A must have!"--Pacific Northwest Book Lovers Association , "In 1901, Fancy Cycling, an extraordinary book by Isabel Marks, was published, showing straight-faced paragons of Edwardian society pulling off some pretty daring (and peculiar) stunts. Marvel as these tailored tricksters demonstrate how to pick up a handkerchief without dismounting, ride backwards while seated on the handlebar, and 'tilting at the ring.'" -- The Guardian "If you shake your head at what kids are up to nowadays, you should see what your (great) great grandmother was up to! Namely, Unicorn Driving and the Butterfly Dance. There's a whole chapter on Coasting techniques and one with women in full dresses wielding swords. A must have!" -- Pacific Northwest Book Lovers Association
Synopsis
Shows straight-faced paragons of Edwardian society in a variety of impressive and unlikely vehicular arrangements., By 1901, when this book first free-wheeled spectacularly into sight, cycling was well established both as leisure pastime and method of getting about. Yet as a forum for the display of acrobatic prowess its potential had been left largely unmined - a lack that this book swiftly and with some style swooped in to supply. It shows straight-faced paragons of Edwardian society in a variety of impressive and unlikely vehicular arrangements. Fearlessly, they demonstrate the possibility of picking up a handkerchief without dismounting, of riding backwards while seated on the handlebar, and of 'standing on saddle, hands off!' They even make perfectly clear that, for two able cyclists with the inclination and a length of wooden pole, it was quite possible to bear aloft a clown while mounted., This is a special cloth hardcover gift edition reproduction of the original 1901 book which was one of the first to promote daring tricks for weird and wonderful acrobatics on two wheels, such as handle bar riding, riding backward and standing on the seat riding, hands off Illustrated with period photographs showing outlandish daredevil "fancy cycling" stunts that have to be seen to be believed, it wonderfully captures a bygone age when popular fads and crazes were met with wild enthusiasm and is a delightful keepsake for cycling or sports enthusiasts.
