On the shoulders of giants….
Orville and Wilbur

They may have been high flyers – but it all started with the bicycle: Wilbur and Orville Wright

It’s amazing what cycling can lead to. Most people know that Wilbur and Orville Wright were aviation pioneers, completing the world’s first manned flight in December 1903. But before all that, they were cycle manufacturers. Only five bicycles made by the brothers still exist and we discovered one today at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.

Built in 1898 and called the St Clair it looks amazingly modern for a cycle that is now 116 years old. It isn’t too far removed in style from the retro single speeds that couriers race around London, although you don’t see many machines with wooden wheels nowadays. We must have looked an odd sight asking to have our photo taken by a bicycle instead of the original Wright Flyer which is also on display.

The Wright brothers made their historic breakthrough at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina, a little further south down the Eastern seaboard from where we will begin the TransAmerica at Virginia Beach. The challenge is very much on our minds today.

Spirit of St Louis

Flying Blind: no forward vision on ‘The Spirit of St Louis’.

We are surrounded by extraordinary aircraft flown by brave adventurers who pioneered the early days of flight. Often they were flying off into the unknown. When Charles Lindbergh climbed into the ‘Spirit is St Louis’ to attempt to fly from New York to Paris he knew that if something went wrong over the Atlantic he was facing almost certain death. Six aviators had already died making the attempt.  He also had to fly with no forward vision. Carrying extra fuel tanks behind the engine meant there was no traditional cockpit glass. He was sat in a cabin behind the wings – if he wanted to see forward he had to tilt the aircraft on its side and pop his head out if the window, or use a small and rather ineffective periscope.

Surrounded by such incredible pioneers we were both beginning to feel like it was time to get going on the TransAmerica. Rather worryingly we only cycled around eight miles yesterday and we are both aching. We’ve enjoyed DC far more than we imagined and if we don’t head off soon we will be tempted to stay!

Spent the rest if the day looking round Air and Space, including great exhibits on the Apollo missions, before heading to the National Museum of the Native American Indian, which provided an interesting contrast.
Back to the hotel via The White House – something quite special about being able to cycle up to it – and then caught a cab (it was lashing down with rain) to spend the evening with Kay and Paul at a Southern food restaurant eating gumbo and grits. Tomorrow we head for Virginia Beach.

White House

White House Summit: The Bestbybike team seems undecided which way to go!

 

Written by Paul

11 Comments

  1. Errr Paul…. I definitely remember your bike having mudguards last week before it’s strip-down for the journey, yet the trusted ‘Surly’ (we’ll no doubt find out in the coming weeks if it may indeed carry that moniker!) appears naked in front of Chez Obama! Are you planning on doing some moonlighting as a cycle courier whilst in DC?!

    • Hi Michael – the Surly was still in stripped down form at that stage. I fell asleep when we were supposed to be rebuilding the bikes! Sure wish it looked like that now with the Blue Ridge Mountains facing us down!

  2. Also in the Lindberg film there was conjecture that if a fly is flying in the cockpit does it make the aircraft heavier? so watch out on your bikes dont make them any heavier. Good luck dipping your toes in the Atlantic..

  3. Errr Paul…. I definitely remember your bike having mudguards last week before it’s strip-down for the journey, yet the trusted ‘Surly’ (we’ll no doubt find out in the coming weeks if it may indeed carry that moniker!) appears naked in front of Chez Obama! Are you planning on doing some moonlighting as a cycle courier whilst in DC?!

  4. Guys, Good Luck.

    Looks like you’ve found a bike to ride if a little old.

    Sounds like a great adventure already with more to come “Keep on Cycling”

    Best Regards

    Martin C

  5. Kay and Paul Lewis
    Thursday 8 May 2014, 5:25 pm

    So great to see you both in DC before you headed off on your trip! We’re excited to hear the next update and hope that you managed to head off between the thunderstorms, rather than during them!

  6. Loved all the aircraft/bicycle stuff – my dad would have found it interesting. Now get on those bikes and start pedalling.

  7. Really enjoying reading about all this but yet to see any hard evidence of serious pedalling! Missed you at band tonight – started on the Armed Man in earnest.

  8. Atually just noticed only the Kona has racks– is Terry carrying everything? seems a bit much..

  9. Well, I am in awe. I will be donating. Have a great time and look after each other. Xxx

  10. Have just discovered your blog – Andy H. put me on to it – Excellent! I have a bit of catching up to do, if I can work out the navigation (I’m trying to read it chronologically) …

    Have a great trip, both of you.

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