VETERAN CYCLE GUIDE and Tricycle Company began producing its machines during 1882 and was registered in April 1883 as the Coventry Cycle Company Ltd . The firm grew quickly , employing 160 workers by 1887 and claimed at one point to be the largest manufacturers of cycles in the world . The company was part of the amalgamation of cycle companies that created Humber and Company Ltd and so was wound up in October 1887 . The example in the Run this year is one attributed to this maker dating from 1886 .
Coventry Machinists Co Ltd This company was the recognised pioneer of bicycle manufacture in the UK , beginning production in late 1868 when it diversified from its main business activity of making sewing machines towards producing twowheeled velocipedes for what was then a growing market in France and , increasingly , the UK . James Starley , a co-founder of the business is considered the father of the UK cycle trade . Although in 1871 Starley left the company to form Starley Brothers , the Coventry Machinists Co remained at the forefront of the industry and developed the design of the velocipedes to become more practical machines in line with the high wheel design of the Ordinary bicycle which grew in popularity during the 1870s to the mid- 1880s . Being a major producer , quite a number of their machines have survived and the entry this year is a well preserved example from 1883 .
Humber Thomas Humber was a pioneer of bicycle manufacture who started making velocipedes in the late 1860s in Nottingham , and his company grew into one of the largest bicycle makers of the Victorian period . It had a reputation for high quality and innovation , with its Beeston models being regarded as the elite machines ridden by Royalty and titled classes during the 1890s ‘ Society Boom ’. The 1901 Standard model was made in Coventry and , although lacking some of the refinements of the range-topping Beeston models , represented very good value for money . The two examples in this year ’ s Run are a very original 1894 upsloper frame and a 1902 Standard model .
Lea and Francis Initially formed as the Lea Cycle Co in Coventry in 1895 it became Lea and Francis Ltd in the following year , being a partnership of RH Lea and GI Francis . They targeted the high-price bicycle market during the 1890s boom and retained the highest reputation for bicycles produced during the Edwardian era up to 1914 . The machine entered into this Run is an excellent example of the marque dating from 1901 .
Left to right : 1889 Rudge and 1901 Lea & Francis .
Moss & Mitton Moss and Mitton were cycle makers trading from Alfred Road in Nottingham and were one of the smaller makers that grew up to service local demand when cycling began to grow as a recreational activity . Often the identity of their machines has been lost , as their output was so small and there are no surviving illustrations of them . In this instance , the makers applied a brass badge which enabled a positive identification . The example in this Run dates from c1884 .
New Mail Manufactured by William Read and Son , this maker was established in 1882 in Washington Street , Boston , Massachusetts , USA . The New Mail machines were well regarded and covered a range of styles and prices . Starting with the production of high wheel bicycles , the company continued into the era of the safety bicycle , one of which appears in this Run . It has solid tyres , although production quickly shifted to producing pneumatic-tyred machines over the next few years .
Peugeot Already established as a business engaged in foundry work in 1810 , Peugeot became involved in bicycle manufacture from 1882 onwards . The company made good quality bicycles for the home market and export and grew to be one of France ’ s major manufacturers of bicycles and later motor cars . The machine once again taking part in the Run this year dates from 1886 and exemplifies the quality of this maker at the high point of the era of the Ordinary bicycle .
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