FOLLOWING on from the impressive Yorkshire stages of the Tour de France and the undoubted success of the current local cycling talent, it is good to see the Wharfedale area celebrating everything on two wheels.
Your readers' identification of the 1950s' tricyclist, Brian Wade, reminds us of the stunning achievements listed in the Yorkshire Cyclist Yearbooks for the early 20th century.
One such entry describes the following: Setting out from Bradford on January 6, 1936, was the unemployed 'Yorkshire Vegetarian' cyclist Walter William Greaves and riding a Coventry built Three Spires bike with three speed gears and specially coupled brakes. One of Walter's 343 day rides and multiple falls ended in Bradford Royal Infirmary where he was told not to return to his bike for a fortnight.
Back on the road, through worsening weather, he averaged 182 miles a day for 19 consecutive days. He ended 1936 having cycled 45,383 miles.
If this was not astonishing enough, we note from the record that Walter is acknowledged as 'The Greatest of all the Bradford one-armed riders'.
In a world of carbon frames, Lycra, team-support and hyperbole, that really was honest reporting.
Paul Wood
Garnett Street, Otley
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