The pursuit of literature, and the arduous study of bicycling
Cycling got a beating these last few years, and the likes of Chris Froome tried to restore the public faith in the sport. The 103rd edition of the Tour de France began in the scenic Mont-Saint-Michel last Saturday. Mark Cavendish of Great Britain won the first stage of this oldest cycling race. He also finished first in the third stage, where riders raced from Granville to Angers. It's too early to tell if the Briton, who currently rides for Dimension Data, will become the third British cyclist (after Sir Brad Wiggins and Froome) to win the overall yellow jersey. There's a link between cycling and literature, though.
Authors like James Campbell have included morning walks in their rituals. This would be one way to make those creative juices flowing throughout the day. The novelists from yesteryear became addictive to bicycling. Arthur Conan Doyle and his wife would ride a tandem. The Scotsman might have been so attached to bicycling, such that readers would wonder about a bicycle in 221B Baker Street. No one was too old to try it. Leo Tolstoy would attest to it. (He first learned how to ride a bicycle during his late 60s.) Why not football? These writers were artists. They were individualistic figures. As for cricket, they might not have found any inspiration in it. Tennis was a relatively younger kind of sports. Bicycling would keep them in good health while they savor the prime surroundings. In the case of French authors, their existentialist views may have been influenced by the cyclical motions. What happened to the places of interests in Paris? The works of Albert Camus might give readers a clue or two.
What would be the most memorable works that feature a bicycle? This could be challenging as more readers would recall magic spells. Some would confuse it with E. T. This should require research (unless you're an English major). Expect obscure titles. Here's a shortlist:
The Wheels of Chance (1896) by H. G. Wells. It took place during the bicycle craze, which was way before the rise of the automobiles. Some readers would be surprised at the sentimental tone in some pages. Could this be the same author who penned "The Invisible Man" and "The Island of Doctor Moreau"? Of course. Wells was younger (when he penned this comic novel). Moreover, not many have sensed the Great War. This particular piece of work could make readers appreciate Wells.
The Adventure of the Priory School (1904) by Arthur Conan Doyle. This kidnapping tale featured a bicycle in a prominent role. Some would wish it could talk, but they don't know Holmes at all. It turned out that this vehicle would be an accomplice to the crime. Better look for a copy to find out the details.
Bicycle Thieves (1946) by Luigi Bartolini. Vittorio DeSica's adaptation would overshadow this book, which would be a shame. Bicycling was an escape from reality, which other authors could relate to. In this case, it was the poverty of postwar Italy. Bartolini's approach would be funny, which could prompt readers to attempt to understand the pains that the titular characters would go through. They might not finish reading it if it was a more serious tone.
If we have missed any title, then tell us about it.
