“The bicycle is not just a means of transportation; it becomes a means of emancipation, a weapon of liberation. It frees the spirit and the body from moral anxieties, from physical ailments that modern existence, full of ostentation, convention, and hypocrisy, brings. In a world where appearance is everything and being is nothing, the bicycle stimulates, develops, and maintains health with great benefits.”
We all know what we mean when we talk about bike tourism, and we probably take it for granted that it is a type of tourism that emerged with the invention of the bicycle in the 19th century. And it’s more or less true, considering that the “invention” of bike tourism is credited to Paul de Vivie, known as Vélocio, who coined the term in 1889.
Who was Vélocio?
Born in Pernes-les-Fontaines, Provence, in 1853, he bought his first bike in 1881 and immediately joined the Club des cyclistes stéphanois in Saint-Etienne, which also included the Gauthier brothers, French bicycle manufacturers.
According to the club’s first article of association, it gave members “the opportunity to enjoy pleasant excursions, rides, and trips with other enthusiasts.” The concept of “amateur” at the time was very different from today, and was more of an elitist conception based on the English model: workers were not allowed to join, as the cost of a bicycle in the late 1800s was around 500 francs, while the daily wage of a worker was only 3.30 francs.
But back to de Vivie. Working as a silk representative, he traveled widely, particularly in England, where he discovered a well-established bicycle industry and the Touring Club Cycliste. Completely overwhelmed by this new passion, he became the first importer of English bicycles with the Agence Générale Vélocipédique, and then started his own production, launching the La Gauloise brand.
The magazine “Le Cycliste Forézien”
In 1887, he created the magazine “Le Cycliste Forézien,” which the following year became “Le Cycliste,” and supported the foundation of a Touring club modeled after the English one. In 1889, the word bike tourism first appeared in an article by him in Le Cycliste.
Curious and innovative, he was a staunch supporter of every technical innovation related to bicycles and worked tirelessly on the development of gear shifts and their use, sparking a fierce debate in the pages of his magazine with Henri Desgrange, the creator of the Tour de France, who was strongly opposed to the use of gears (for curiosity: the use of gears was banned in the Tour until 1937). It is also said that he cycled about 20,000 km a year, often completing stages lasting up to 40 hours.
Creator of the terms cyclotechnics and cyclotherapy, he was truly an emblematic figure for his stories of excursions and for his constant encouragement for cyclists to meet during their travels. His lifestyle was simple and strict, as he was a committed vegetarian and sought to promote healthy eating habits and practices for cycling.
He died in an accident, hit by a tram while crossing the street with his bike in hand, trying to avoid a car.
The seven commandments of cycle tourism
His “seven commandments” for races have remained in history and are still valid today:
- Rare and short stops, to maintain concentration.
- Light and frequent meals: eat before you’re hungry, drink before you’re thirsty.
- Never push yourself beyond your limits, avoiding fatigue that leads to loss of appetite and sleep.
- Dress before you get cold, undress before you get hot. Don’t be afraid to expose your skin to the sun, air, and water.
- Eliminate tobacco, wine, and meat, at least during races.
- Never force yourself, stay within your limits, especially in the early hours when you’re tempted to spend too much because you’re full of energy.
- Never cycle for self-glory.
Today, for those who want to honor his memory, it’s possible to visit a monument dedicated to him at the top of the Col de la République climb, outside Saint-Etienne, or his grave in the Loyasse cemetery in Lyon.
And if you are interested in learning more about the world of cycle tourism, don’t miss the most important Italian trade fair in the sector: from March 27 to 29 in Padua, you can meet many other passionate followers of Velocio: registration is already open.
Photo credits:
Patatruc, via Wikimedia Commons
AllezHopp, via Wikimedia Commons
