Cycling To Success

Cycling technology has advanced a long way over the past 200 years. Since the advent of Baron Karl von Drais' uncomfortable-looking machines of 1817, bicycles have seen huge improvements in design, the materials used, and even the methods of manufacture. Collectively, these improvements have led to the most streamlined and efficient bicycles ever seen.

With the 106th edition of the Tour de France currently underway, Britain's hopes of victory lie with last year's winner, Geraint Thomas. We stop to ask ourselves: could Geraint benefit from the marginal gains of any of the weird and wonderful cycling patents out there?

The early stages of this year's Tour are being fought out in the north of the country, over a mix of rolling hills and flats - perfect terrain to catch some tailwinds. US patent application US4557495 describes a sail rig slapped onto the side of a bicycle, which is guaranteed to assist.

Fig. 1 US4557495 "Sail fig for bicycle"

After surviving a minor scare back in stage 1 of the Tour, we're going to be sure to advise Geraint to strap in using German utility model DE29806407 and its seat belt device for two wheelers.

Fig. 2 DE29806407U1 "Seat belt device for two-wheelers"

Up in the mountain stages, the weather can change within minutes and without any notice. The pros may well have a lightweight rain jacket waiting for them in the team car, but we'd recommend for Geraint to brave the elements with more style. Dating all the way back to 1893, US patent application...