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Scotland: Birthplace of the Bicycle
Besides inventing the self-propelled bicycle, Scots also invented the raincoat (Charles Macintosh of Glasgow), the modern road (John Macadam of Ayr), tyres (John Boyd Dunlop of Dreghorn), adhesive stamps (John Chalmers of Dundee), the telephone (Alexander Graham Bell born in Edinburgh), so without Scots, bike messenging would not exist.
Two wheeled vehicles that were pushed along ala Fred Flintson were invented previously, but the actual wheel-propelled bicycle that we know and love was invented in1839 by Kirkpatrick MacMillan of Scotland. He was a blacksmith at Courthill Smithy of Keir Mill, Dumfriesshire. Since he never patented his invention, his bicycle was rapidly and widely copied.
Macmillan was born at Keir in 1812. Fellow villagers thought him 'mad' for dreaming up an idea such as the first pedal-driven velocipede. But, although known locally as 'Daft Pate', he became in 1839 the inventor of the pedal-driven bicycle, used by millions today.
He rode his cumbersome machine 68 miles over rough roads from his tiny smithy home (still intact today) to Glasgow, visiting his two school teacher brothers in the city. In June 1842 the inventor was fined 5 Scots shillings for speeding at 8 mph into the Gorbals and knocking down a little girl in the crush that awaited this 'Devil on Wheels'. The magistrate at the Gorbals Public Bar was sufficiently impressed to ask Macmillan for a figure-of-eight demonstration in the courtyard, and is said to have slipped him the money for the fine.
Having raced the stage coach on his return to Dumfriesshire, Macmillan went back to the quiet life, but his invention was copied and an English firm put it on sale at seven pounds. Macmillan's early machine, still seen in reproduction at the Transport museum in Glasgow's Kelvin Hall, met demand for easier travel. It had wooden wheels and iron-band tyres, and was so heavy (57lbs) that he pushed off by striking the ground with his feet, protected by iron-spiked boots.
He married Elsie Gordon Goldie at Keir in 1854. They had six children between 1855 and 1864. He was one of the characters of 19th century rural Scotland. His son, John Macmillan of Liverpool who became a policeman in that city, told how his father, a keen churchman, refused to let the family even read on a Sunday. He pulled teeth for both horses and humans and was a popular fiddle-player at weddings. He died on 26 January 1878 aged 65, and the plaque on his smithy home reads 'He builded better than he knew'. "
The first bicycle as we know it -- that is a bicycle with transmission and front wheel steering -- was produced by a Scottish blacksmith called Kirkpatrick Macmillan in the village of Thornhill near Dumfries, Scotland. There is controversy over whether he invented it in 1838 or 1840. But last year the Kirkpatrick MacMillan Festival was held in Drumlamrig Castle near Dumfries. Today there are 800 million bicycles in the world -- of which 300 million are in China. Worldwide, bicycles outnumber cars by three to one.
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Good Morning All,
The Venue is Inner Temple Gardens. That's Temple London, EC4Y 7HL access is via Tudor St. or Embankment and there is some bike parking..
Yes Balvenie is doing a world wide launch of their 17 yr old Sherry Cask. We get it FIRST.
Its both days you need to tell me which one... or mention LFGSS at the door. I can only get you in before 3pm - so come early as I don't have unlimited passes... I've been slaving like a bitch for this, so it's like my reward. I want to see my friends so Come, have a drink and have fun - its what i have been working to do so be my guest. :)We also have a fun Highland games where celebs will do tug of war with regular teams so if you want to do that get a team together -- there will be Very Cool prizes. Highland games participants get free Hendrick Gin!
PS Hippy - if I don't already know who you are outside of the forum, I so want to so introduce yourself when you get there. ( i will be working main stage / fashion and ceilidh tents.
lots of love to my bike nerd peeps.
Jacqui
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Jacqui
1) Our good friend is going to be modelling a cycling kilt! Yep, turns out Howie of 21st century kilts is a keen cyclist and he's bringing a special cycling kilt down from Scotland for our man - Jos the Boss to model. (The metrosexual in you is intrigued, admit it.) Apparently the Scot's invented the bicycle - can anyone verify this???I went to their website and can't get the navigation to work at all. I'm assuming there's something beyond the one page that works... perhaps it's one of those "only works in IE" things.
I can't make it, but want to see the kilt. Could be fun (yeah, I'd consider it).
Hope it goes well.
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I was born in dumfries :)
it runs (cycles) in the blood i guessbut i wont be able to come as im going up north, cumbria actually to pick up tweed and do the family rounds
i'm missing ssoooooo many things this weekend
Stef
hippy
lpg
edmundane
rusty
dogsballs
Offwhite
photoben
Velocio
big_mummy_smeear-
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Very special invite for this weekend
Posted by
@Jacqui
As some of you are aware I have not had much of a life the last few months. Well I've been working hard putting together an event called The London Gathering. It's happening this weekend and the weather is going to be amazing.
There are two reasons I can think of that you all may like to drop by:
1) Our good friend is going to be modelling a cycling kilt! Yep, turns out Howie of 21st century kilts is a keen cyclist and he's bringing a special cycling kilt down from Scotland for our man - Jos the Boss to model. (The metrosexual in you is intrigued, admit it.) Apparently the Scot's invented the bicycle - can anyone verify this???
2) Second I have some (not unlimited) guest list space that I am allowed use for you guys.
If you want email me - jacqui@thelondongathering.com
You will just need to be equipped with a smile and a healthy appetite for the organic aberdeen angus food on the barbecues going on etc and a readiness to drink beautiful free whisky..
x x x jacqui with the pink mercian