With bicycles increasing in popularity over the years, it’s no surprise that many find themselves interested in cycling from time immemorial. And what better way to introduce the public to vintage bicycles than through an exhibition. And that’s exactly what Chennai-based cycling group Cycling Yogis organized on August 21 at the Island Ground in Hotel Tamil Nadu.
A boy rides a penny. photo credit: special arrangement
Since 2018, Ramanujar Moulana, the founder of Cycling Yogis, has brought together collectors and enthusiasts with this event. “This is the third year of the event. Our focus has always been on the past,” says Ramanujar. “We travel backwards, everything we do is always there” [related to] heritage. Cycles have evolved over time and we want to track that. Through this we can also track the history of Madras.”
A Schwinn Chakra | photo credit: special arrangement
The exhibition hosted over 40 vintage bicycles and an array of cycling memorabilia. With lamps, bells, high wheel cycles (or penny farthings), licenses and more in attendance. This selection of immense indifferent value was brought by the individuals at the behest of Ramanujar. John Moses, a collector whose old collection contains the world’s largest and smallest gramophones, 1,000 watches and fountain pens, was one of the participants.
Bicycle Lamps Over the Years | photo credit: special arrangement
“I’ve been collecting since 1980, but I’ve got most of my stuff since 2005,” says John, who says he buys most of his bicycle collection from scrap because it’s too expensive to buy from a dealer. The best bicycle he has is a Raleigh chopper, which he bought from a corner store. It is a symbol of the 1960s. “I found out it is one of the most expensive bicycles in the world. In England it costs £3000 (about ₹3 lakh). There are only 15 Raleigh Choppers in India because when it arrived in 1972 it was around ₹4,000 Which people could not afford. I have a Rouge Whitworth from 1937 and another remarkable cycle I got from Nilankarai scrap shop for Rs 400.
Venkataraman Prabhakar, an agriculturist, businessman and collector, says that his oldest cycle is the 1897 Pierce Cushion frame cycle. He added, “Another prized asset is World War II”. [era] Bicycle, used by soldiers for high speed (BSA Airborne Bicycle). I also have cycles of four children; They date from 1880 to 1940. Other brands I have are Raleigh, Humber, Norton, Rouge and Philips, all of which are English made. ,
Passionate collectors had fascinating stories to go with their performances. State cyclist TK Vibhakar brought a vintage French flavor to the exhibition. He rode his bicycle from the Raleigh factory in Nottingham. “It’s called Team Raleigh of 1982 and is the specs of that year’s Tour de France,” he says. In 1982, the price of the bike was around 2.5 lakhs. “I don’t see its old value at the moment. It’s 40 years old. I’ve maintained it myself because I was trained to tune bikes at the Raleigh factory. This bike has never seen a mechanic, so it’s so much today.” In good condition,” he smiles proudly.
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