Feargal McKay
@cycologies.com
Reviewing cycling books and writing about professional cycling's mythological past and the reality behind the stories told and retold by cycling's duff historians
cycologies.com 🇮🇪
cycologies.com 🇮🇪
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Feargal McKay
@cycologies.com
· Sep 13
Nellie Bly on a Bicycle
An 1889 newspaper article by Nellie Bly
cycologies.com
"To ride a bicycle is one thing. To learn to ride a bicycle is another. Did you ever see a man learning to ride? I saw one, and I laughed so much that I was too weak to eat dinner that evening."
Nellie Bly, the pioneering American journalist, wrote about learning to ride a bicycle in 1889.
Nellie Bly, the pioneering American journalist, wrote about learning to ride a bicycle in 1889.
Hodges Figgis, maybe you'd say yes.
But Chapters on Parnell Street? That's a big no.
But Chapters on Parnell Street? That's a big no.
Touching moment as couple get engaged in Dublin bookshop
A real-life love story unfolded in a Dublin book shop when a young couple got engaged in the Science Fiction and Fantasy section.
extra.ie
November 29, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Hodges Figgis, maybe you'd say yes.
But Chapters on Parnell Street? That's a big no.
But Chapters on Parnell Street? That's a big no.
If you're British, you'll know that Charlie Holland + Bill Burl were the first British riders to start the Tour de France, in 1937 (Reginald Shirley may have been the first to enter, in 1908, while Brian Robinson + Tony Hoar were the first to finish, in 1955).
November 29, 2025 at 5:04 PM
If you're British, you'll know that Charlie Holland + Bill Burl were the first British riders to start the Tour de France, in 1937 (Reginald Shirley may have been the first to enter, in 1908, while Brian Robinson + Tony Hoar were the first to finish, in 1955).
Charly Gaul rode for EMI in 1959 and 1960, winning the Giro in 1959.
But - contrary to what his most recent biographer claims - EMI was not the record label.
They actually made espresso machines and related coffee kits. Same as Faema did.
But - contrary to what his most recent biographer claims - EMI was not the record label.
They actually made espresso machines and related coffee kits. Same as Faema did.
November 29, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Charly Gaul rode for EMI in 1959 and 1960, winning the Giro in 1959.
But - contrary to what his most recent biographer claims - EMI was not the record label.
They actually made espresso machines and related coffee kits. Same as Faema did.
But - contrary to what his most recent biographer claims - EMI was not the record label.
They actually made espresso machines and related coffee kits. Same as Faema did.
"The 'Bicycle' Film of 1936" was Bill Mills and Bill Bailey pivoting to video.
(L'Auto had already pivoted to video at this stage ... somebody should write a book about old Tour newsreels and tell this story.)
(L'Auto had already pivoted to video at this stage ... somebody should write a book about old Tour newsreels and tell this story.)
I have a lead on Bill that I really need some help on. This 1936 article from Cotton Factory Times reports the first all-cycling film presented by Bill and Bill Bailey. It includes the Wembley Six, 1936 TdF and the Olympics. Desperate to find out if this film is in archive somewhere. Ideas?
November 29, 2025 at 2:46 PM
"The 'Bicycle' Film of 1936" was Bill Mills and Bill Bailey pivoting to video.
(L'Auto had already pivoted to video at this stage ... somebody should write a book about old Tour newsreels and tell this story.)
(L'Auto had already pivoted to video at this stage ... somebody should write a book about old Tour newsreels and tell this story.)
"I have always said that I wanted to do something with numbers."
Countdown host! With Cartoon Kirkby, as he thinks he's good with words!
Countdown host! With Cartoon Kirkby, as he thinks he's good with words!
'I don't think I'll stay in cycling' - Jonas Vingegaard reveals no plans for career in sport after retirement https://www.cyclingnews.com/pro-cycling/teams-riders/i-dont-think-ill-stay-in-cycling-jonas-vingegaard-reveals-no-plans-for-career-in-sport-after-retirement/
'I don't think I'll stay in cycling' - Jonas Vingegaard reveals no plans for career in sport after retirement
Dane points to carpentry as one potential work option after hanging up his wheels
www.cyclingnews.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:42 PM
"I have always said that I wanted to do something with numbers."
Countdown host! With Cartoon Kirkby, as he thinks he's good with words!
Countdown host! With Cartoon Kirkby, as he thinks he's good with words!
Do you know who else was a carpenter?
...
Daniel Day-Lewis.
...
Daniel Day-Lewis.
'I am very fascinated by carpentry'
🇩🇰 Jonas Vingegaard opens up about life after cycling
📰 www.domestiquecycling.com/en/news/fasc...
📸 Team Visma | Lease a Bike
🇩🇰 Jonas Vingegaard opens up about life after cycling
📰 www.domestiquecycling.com/en/news/fasc...
📸 Team Visma | Lease a Bike
November 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Do you know who else was a carpenter?
...
Daniel Day-Lewis.
...
Daniel Day-Lewis.
Oh would you please fuck the fuck off with this nonsense and grow up.
Two more years of fuel by 6d SportsNutrition 🤝 ⛽️
The renewed agreement for the next two years strengthens our collaboration built on innovation, shared expertise, and athlete-centred product development.
➡️
The renewed agreement for the next two years strengthens our collaboration built on innovation, shared expertise, and athlete-centred product development.
➡️
November 28, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Oh would you please fuck the fuck off with this nonsense and grow up.
Another breakaway bites the dust
Rugby union’s breakaway competition R360 delays launch by two years
Rugby’s proposed breakaway R360 competition has announced it will be delaying its launch for two years until 2028
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Another breakaway bites the dust
Reposted by Feargal McKay
Jack Dempsey was born John Kelly. The second Jack Dempsey was Bernie Dempsey and named himself after Jack to box. The third Jack Dempsey - William Dempsey - was Bernie's brother, stood in for him and took the name. Thus, no boxers called Jack Dempsey were ever called Jack Dempsey. Good fact, that.
November 28, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Jack Dempsey was born John Kelly. The second Jack Dempsey was Bernie Dempsey and named himself after Jack to box. The third Jack Dempsey - William Dempsey - was Bernie's brother, stood in for him and took the name. Thus, no boxers called Jack Dempsey were ever called Jack Dempsey. Good fact, that.
For all the fans of the Cycle to Work scheme - and they are many and vocal - how about someone explains why the multiple operators of the scheme (itself something that should be queried) charge bike shops 15-20% 'commission' on each sale?
Bike retailers saddled with lower margins in state cycle scheme
Complaints by manufacturers lead to talks with Cycle to Work providers about size of commissions
www.ft.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:35 PM
For all the fans of the Cycle to Work scheme - and they are many and vocal - how about someone explains why the multiple operators of the scheme (itself something that should be queried) charge bike shops 15-20% 'commission' on each sale?
Ronde van Vlaanderen will not sell ticket ... except for the bits where it sells tickets.
Ook Ronde van Vlaanderen gaat voorlopig geen entreegeld vragen
Ook Ronde van Vlaanderen gaat voorlopig geen entreegeld vragen
Waar je in andere sporten (flink) in de buidel moet tasten voor een kaartje, kun je als liefhebber van het wegwielrennen (in de meeste gevallen) gratis je helden aanmoedigen. Oud-renner Jérôme Pineau riep recent op om de beklimmingen, zoals Alpe d'Huez, in de Tour de France voortaan een entreesyst
www.wielerflits.nl
November 27, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Ronde van Vlaanderen will not sell ticket ... except for the bits where it sells tickets.
Reposted by Feargal McKay
Steroid Olympics backers try for a superhuman feat of finance on.ft.com/44BORwn | opinion
Steroid Olympics backers try for a superhuman feat of finance
The Enhanced Group, creator of the games, plans to go public at a mooted enterprise value of $1.3bn
on.ft.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Steroid Olympics backers try for a superhuman feat of finance on.ft.com/44BORwn | opinion
Reposted by Feargal McKay
_Bike Battles: A History of Sharing the American Road_ (2017) from @uwapress.uw.edu and (Castellano) Spanish from @katakrak54.bsky.social 🗃️ #bikesky katakrak.net/cas/editoria...
uwapress.uw.edu/book/9780295...
uwapress.uw.edu/book/9780295...
November 27, 2025 at 3:22 PM
_Bike Battles: A History of Sharing the American Road_ (2017) from @uwapress.uw.edu and (Castellano) Spanish from @katakrak54.bsky.social 🗃️ #bikesky katakrak.net/cas/editoria...
uwapress.uw.edu/book/9780295...
uwapress.uw.edu/book/9780295...
Never heard of him. Is he better than Pogačar?
Copenhagen Documentary Fest CPH:DOX to Pay Tribute to Belgian Cycling Legend “The Cannibal” Eddy Merckx
The Danish premiere of Christophe Hermans and Boris Tilquin's doc 'Merckx - Race of a Champion' and a podcast event will put the spotlight on the man who has been called the greatest cyclist of all ti...
www.hollywoodreporter.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Never heard of him. Is he better than Pogačar?
Reposted by Feargal McKay
🎤🤹 Researchers, artists, comedians, charities, big thinker types, poets (maybe?), performers, industry partners, all disciplines, all formats, propose ideas, send them to us, and join us in Southampton! #BSF26 ⛵🦠
There's a boat show on there at the same time, if you like both boats AND science >>
There's a boat show on there at the same time, if you like both boats AND science >>
The British Science Festival needs you!
Our Open Call for #BSF26 with @unisouthampton.bsky.social is now LIVE.
You don't need to be a scientist or linked to Southampton - anyone can propose.
Find out more and send us your event ideas here:
www.britishscienceassociation.org/open-call
Our Open Call for #BSF26 with @unisouthampton.bsky.social is now LIVE.
You don't need to be a scientist or linked to Southampton - anyone can propose.
Find out more and send us your event ideas here:
www.britishscienceassociation.org/open-call
British Science Festival proposals - Open Call
We are currently accepting Open Call proposals for the British Science Festival 2026.
www.britishscienceassociation.org
November 27, 2025 at 10:26 AM
🎤🤹 Researchers, artists, comedians, charities, big thinker types, poets (maybe?), performers, industry partners, all disciplines, all formats, propose ideas, send them to us, and join us in Southampton! #BSF26 ⛵🦠
There's a boat show on there at the same time, if you like both boats AND science >>
There's a boat show on there at the same time, if you like both boats AND science >>
Reposted by Feargal McKay
![Comic. Panels up to the 10-year point are grayed out. New panels since the Ten Years comic, which chronicles the first ten years of PERSON 1's journey with cancer: (1) [two people in bed] PERSON 1 (woman): One more chapter? PERSON 2 (man): Don’t we both have to get up early? PERSON 1: Nnnnnggggh PERSON 2: Sure, good point. (2) [many people wearing masks, walking while looking at graphs on their phones] (3) [birds landing on people] PERSON 2 in beanie and scarf: Hah! They like *my* seeds best. PERSON 1 in scarf holding phone with a bird sitting on it: Wait, how do I take a picture of this one? (4) [two people rowing boats with tree landscape] (5) [Person 1 carries overflowing stack of things to Person 2 in bed] PERSON 1: I brought you honey lemon tea, more pillows, a cinnamon roll, Tylenol, another blanket, a– PERSON 2: It was just Appendicitis, I’m really– PERSON 1: *It is my turn to take care of you and I am going to do it right!* (6) [Two people in car] (7) [still in car) PERSON 1: Oh my god. PERSON 2: Oh my god. (8) [car driving] PERSON 1: Pull over! PERSON 2: I am! (9) [both people get out of car] (10) [Large colored panel of aurora borealis over water with both people looking on] (11) [Person 1 sits against tree while Person 2 lies on the ground] PERSON 1: Fifteen years. No sign of the cancer. (12) I *am* having some weird symptoms. Joint pain. Fatigue. I think I’m losing my close-up vision. PERSON 2: Yeah. Me too. (13) PERSON 2: I think we’re getting old. (14) PERSON 1: I guess that’s okay. PERSON 2: It’s all I wanted.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreihwhjblp5lyiwp63ouar7ocfea7evmckytoeo7rkfuoo4gw5rnrra@jpeg)
November 26, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Germain & Shirley. Not two housemates who work as bottle cappers in the Shotz Brewery (ask your grandad), but two trackies, Achille Germain 🇫🇷 + Reginald Shirley 🇬🇧 (the first Brit to enter the TdF!) photographed en route to New York in 1909 for the Madison Square Garden International Six Day Race.
November 26, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Germain & Shirley. Not two housemates who work as bottle cappers in the Shotz Brewery (ask your grandad), but two trackies, Achille Germain 🇫🇷 + Reginald Shirley 🇬🇧 (the first Brit to enter the TdF!) photographed en route to New York in 1909 for the Madison Square Garden International Six Day Race.
Reposted by Feargal McKay
Born on this date, Nov. 26, 1878: Marshall "Major" Taylor, aka the Worcester Whirlwind, 1889 world champion cyclist, author of "The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World." Grateful to Alex from @massbike.bsky.social at Worcester Public Library for the glow-up.
November 26, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Born on this date, Nov. 26, 1878: Marshall "Major" Taylor, aka the Worcester Whirlwind, 1889 world champion cyclist, author of "The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World." Grateful to Alex from @massbike.bsky.social at Worcester Public Library for the glow-up.
Christmas has arrived! Normally we get one of those horrible upturned ice-cream cone Christmas trees - a Ken doll's nether regions in tree form - but this year we have been blessed with a real live dead one.
November 26, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Christmas has arrived! Normally we get one of those horrible upturned ice-cream cone Christmas trees - a Ken doll's nether regions in tree form - but this year we have been blessed with a real live dead one.
Reposted by Feargal McKay
Lol congratulations to whoever briefed that the chancellor was going to axe Cycle to Work, then didn't. Whatever was going on behind the scenes, you've just done wonders for London's bike shops pre-Christmas.
If my group chats are anything to go by, Treasury briefing "we're going to end the cycle to work tax break that enables people to buy a large family-sized e-bike" has done more than any other advertising campaign to boost the uptake of family-sized e-bikes. Sales must be through the roof this week.
November 26, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Lol congratulations to whoever briefed that the chancellor was going to axe Cycle to Work, then didn't. Whatever was going on behind the scenes, you've just done wonders for London's bike shops pre-Christmas.
Told ya it was a kite flying exercise...
November 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Told ya it was a kite flying exercise...
Reposted by Feargal McKay
So it looks like Rachel Reeves has *not* abolished or cut back the cycle to work scheme. Perhaps she has read the Treasury's own 2023 assessment of the scheme, which found that in terms of creating modal shift, and thus boosting public health, it is very, very effective.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Evaluation of the Cycle to Work Scheme: quantitative and qualitative research
www.gov.uk
November 26, 2025 at 2:04 PM
So it looks like Rachel Reeves has *not* abolished or cut back the cycle to work scheme. Perhaps she has read the Treasury's own 2023 assessment of the scheme, which found that in terms of creating modal shift, and thus boosting public health, it is very, very effective.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Feargal McKay
Cars that kill--and look like they will--has been a theme of MAGA's rise.
The Home Economics of Lib-Owning
Fear, identity politics, and going broke for conspiracy theories
nobody-wants-this.ghost.io
November 26, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Cars that kill--and look like they will--has been a theme of MAGA's rise.
"No guv, you're wrong, we're not FUD merchants using fear, uncertainty or doubt to mess with you. We're not like that at all. We're just asking questions."
Is the Queen Stage of the 2026 🇫🇷 Tour de France at risk?
A petition opposing the inclusion of the Col de Sarenne has already gathered almost 6,000 signatures.
Fun fact: the petition was started by someone named Stelvio😅
📰 www.domestiquecycling.com/en/news/almo...
A petition opposing the inclusion of the Col de Sarenne has already gathered almost 6,000 signatures.
Fun fact: the petition was started by someone named Stelvio😅
📰 www.domestiquecycling.com/en/news/almo...
November 25, 2025 at 10:23 AM
"No guv, you're wrong, we're not FUD merchants using fear, uncertainty or doubt to mess with you. We're not like that at all. We're just asking questions."