Mention the word ‘cycling’ and ‘Isle of Man’, and many people will automatically think of Mark Cavendish and Peter Kennaugh, two modern day sportsmen who have achieved amazing success to date.
But there is someone else who deserves recognition in the field of Manx cycling and that’s the man who manufacted the first ever cycle on the Island.
Meet John Henry Teare, sitting atop the actual machine itself which he made when about 19 years of age.
Born into a smithying family (his father is recorded as being a blacksmith in Andreas on his baptismal record for 13 Feb 1847), the cycle was completed at Smeale Smithy in either 1866 or early 1867.
The photograph notation states it was taken in c.1867 so it’s possible this was done to commemorate the achievement.
2017 must be close to the 150th anniversary of its construction.
(source: imuseum http://bit.ly/2llUcEj)
