Rosabicyclette
Promenade to Aveiro.
The Velocipedia developed in urban centers with higher population until cycling became a sport for the masses. Playful riding and cycle-tourism were mixed-gendered activities organized by the Real Velo Clube do Porto at the Crystal Palace and many tours were effected in cities such Aveiro and Braga
Sarah Bernhardt in Lisbon.
The famous French actress -perhaps more driven by the desire for advertising than for real pleasure- had come to the engage in the bicycle sport. From the year 1862, Bernhardt was repeatedly photographed on a velocipede in the parks of Paris. The snapshots quickly made the world tour and added notoriety to the already famous actress. In December 1897, a newspaper that dealt with theatrical issues profited from the visit to Lisbon of the actress to call women into doing cycling as well -“para que as senhoras lusitanas também fizessem ciclismo”
Les espaces de loisirs en Portugal
Queen Dona Amélia in Sintra .
By the end of the 19th century, the royal were strong enthusiasts of cycling, in particular the Queen. In a famous photograph by an unknown author, Queen D. Amélia, with a hat and a skirt, learns to ride a bicycle with a gentleman on her side. The photo was taken at the Palácio da Pena, in Sintra. It is likely that the Queen learned to ride well, as there are photographic records of her with the royal family going out for rides on the hills around Sintra, Colares, Penha Longa and Estoril.
: End of 19th century. “Album de fotografias da Rainha Dona Amélia, Palácio de Vila Viçosa”
“Carlos Minchin, A. Machado, Peixoto, partiram para Braga no sabbado, em bicycleta, regressando domingo à noite, perfeitamente bem dispostos. Foram assistir às festas que a academia de Braga alli realisara”. O Velocipedista (1893)
During the 1890’s, promenades around the outskirts of Lisbon, Porto and Aveiro were common. The belief was that by bicycle landscapes could be appreciated without locomotive danger, and allowed accessibility into “less open” places, almost like being on foot. Women were especially encouraged to such activity.
Daniele Marchesini, Benito Mazzi, Romano Spada (2001). Palmer, borraccia e... via! Storia e leggende della bicicletta. Ediciclo. Image Pg. 75
Amongst the royal riders on a promenade on the Serra de Sintra., there is Marquesa de Belas and Queen Mother Maria Pia, in her 50’s, at the front of the photo. This tour-path passed through Cascais, Colares, Malveira, Alcabideche Penha Longa and Estoril. Such promenades were very frequent in the late 19th century.
Royal members on cycling tour in 1893
