No kid forgets getting his first bike, nor the surge of independence he felt the first time he pedaled away from his parents. And even as adults, the bike seems to give off a feeling of romance, of freedom, and, when you get going fast enough, even of flying.
The special allure of the bicycle can really be traced back to its simple yet elegant design, and my guest today will unpack the intriguing history of its creation. His name is Jody Rosen, and he’s the author of Two Wheels Good: The History and Mystery of the Bicycle. Today on the show, Jody explains the origins of the bicycle’s design, including how it was an anachronism at its birth, may have been inspired by a volcanic eruption, and helped liberate mankind from dependence on draft animals for transportation and exploration. We also get into how the bicycle was associated with flight right from the start. Along the way, we discuss how cycling represents an uncanny fusion of man and machine and produces a set of one-of-a-kind pleasures.
This episode will make you want to mount your trusty bicycle steed and take a ride.
Resources Related to the PodcastWhat Lifting Ancient Stones Can Teach You About Being a Man
Social Skills as the Road to Character
Protein — Everything You Need to Know
Zombies, Minecraft, and Dealing with Uncertainty
Dog as Cure for the Midlife Malaise
Beyond Mere Politeness — The Art of True Civility
The Science of Swole — How to Grow Your Muscles
A Cure for Existential Boredom
The Real Reason You Procrastinate
Break Your Bad Habits by Escaping the Scarcity Loop
Can You Trust Happiness Studies?
For a Better Work Out, Think Like a Kid
Beyond Lazy Learning — The Keys to Gaining and Retaining Knowledge
The 5 Shifts of Manhood
When the Game Was War — Lessons From the Greatest NBA Season of All Time
How to Develop Rugged Flexibility
Take Back the Weekend
Leadership Is Overrated
For Whom The Bell Tolls
How to Use the Principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to Overcome Obstacles in Business and Life
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West