Teach Yourself Cycling

Book excerpt: First published in 1953, Teach Yourself Cycling is a beautiful, lovingly reproduced window into a distant age, where understanding the good manners of the road and enjoying the innocence of the family picnic dominated life on two wheels. Yet few vehicles have changed as little as the bicycle in the 65 years since this book first published. For all that they have become immeasurably lighter and better adapted to a range of terrains, the basic mechanics remain the same - and a deeply recognisable spirit of joy runs through this book, even though the author, Reginald Shaw, feels he needs to reassure his readers that cycling can be "a pleasurable activity as well as a mode of transport". This book is perfect for fans of cycling interested in how the art and practice of riding a bike has changed. From a stout defence of 'the good manners of the road' to a surge of enthusiasm when mapping out the itinerary of a good cycling holiday, this book is warm, interesting and enlightening. Since 1938, millions of people have learned to do the things they love with Teach Yourself. Welcome to the how-to guides that changed the modern world.