The modern bicycle first appeared in the 1800s. It was considered a revolutionary invention, and changed travel for people around the world.
Here’s More About ‘the People’s Nag’:
While bicycle design evolved from the 1400s, the design of the first modern bicycle is credited to John Kemp Starley. His design became popular in the mid-1800s, and was called the Safety Bicycle,
because it was considered less precarious than its
predecessor, the Penny Farthing.
The Wright brothers, the pioneers who invented the first aeroplanes, started off as bicycle mechanics. They Tested Their Ideas Around Aerodynamics by Strapping Wings To Bicycles.
Cycling is the third-most dangerous sport in the world with an estimated 455 000 cyclists ending up in emergency rooms in 2017.
Approximately 100-Million Bicycles are manufactured every year all around the world.
Get On Your Bike And Ride
The Karoo Burn
Date: 20–21 Feb 2021
Start: Calvinia Primary School
Finish: Kaleo Guest Farm, Ceres
Cost: R2 700–R4 900
Total distance: 242km
In teams of two or four,
riders battle it out along South Africa’s longest straight gravel road between Calvinia and Ceres. Teams have 24hours
to reach the finish line.
karooburn.co.za
X-Berg Challenge
Four-day extreme race
17–22 March 2021
Two-day mini race
19–22 March 2021
Cost: R1 840/R2 990
Total distance: 90km/180km
You can ride it, run it or even paraglide it – and if you’re into challenges, do it all! Solo, team and relay entries are welcome.
xbergchallenge.com
Call in your Cape Leopard Sightings
While rare and seldom seen, leopards are the only large predator still roaming the Cape mountains. Because they are nocturnal and secretive, leopards often go undetected in an area. Now the Cape Leopard Trust has started a project to create a database of leopard distribution in the Western Cape. And they need your help to upload any leopard observations to the online data portal. To submit any leopard sightings, go to app.capeleopard.org.za
Soundscapes
Derek Solomon, a recordist and wildlife photographer has just launched his new website which features multiple recordings of animals, insects, amphibians and other bush sounds – even people, when appropriate. Part of the proceeds from sales will be donated to Conservation South Luangwa and Elephants Alive dereksolomon.com/wildlife-sound-recordings
World wetlands day 2021
Wetlands are an incredibly important natural feature that protect us against flooding, pollutants and droughts. They’re also really beautiful. So let’s celebrate these special places on 2 February: World Wetlands Day.
Ntsikeni Nature Reserve
This wetland in southern KZN is one of the largest high-altitude wetlands in South Africa. Accessible by 4×4, the wetland is home to a colony of Cape vultures, as well as the southern reedbuck and the Cape clawless otter. kznwildlife.com/ Ntsikeni.html
Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve
An internationally recognised wetland reserve, the beautiful 6 000 hectare Verloren Vallei in Mpumalanga is home to many rare plant and bird species. It’s best visited during summer, from R45 pp. mpumalanga.com/ our-provincial-parks/verloren-vallei
Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve
On the outskirts of Cape Town city, Zeekoevlei is home to around 230 species of birds, as well as the critically endangered Cape Flats sand fynbos and the endangered western leopard toad. zeekoevlei.co.za
Sources: Forbes, National Geographic, CNN | Photography gallo/ Gettyimages; Illustrations Jess Nicholson
