Cycling technology has advanced a long way over the past 200
years. Since the advent of Baron Karl von Drais'
uncomfortable-looking machines of 1817, bicycles have seen huge
improvements in design, the materials used, and even the methods of
manufacture. Collectively, these improvements have led to the most
streamlined and efficient bicycles ever seen.
With the 106th edition of the Tour de France currently underway,
Britain's hopes of victory lie with last year's winner,
Geraint Thomas. We stop to ask ourselves: could Geraint benefit
from the marginal gains of any of the weird and wonderful cycling
patents out there?
The early stages of this year's Tour are being fought out in
the north of the country, over a mix of rolling hills and flats
– perfect terrain to catch some tailwinds. US patent
application US4557495 describes a sail rig slapped
onto the side of a bicycle, which is guaranteed to assist.
