June Hub 2022

A Glimpse into the History Of Cycling in Norfolk

The First Bicycles Did you know that cycling in Norfolk was all the rage in the 1880s and 1890s? Yes, before automobiles hit the scene, bicycles were the popular mode of transportation. The wooden-wheeled “safety” bicycle replaced the precarious “penny-farthing” (an early type of bicycle with a very large front wheel and a small rear wheel) as a vehicle that people could master and provided a whole new-found form of freedom and independence. It allowed folk to ride to work, school and explore places further afield. By 1895 pneumatic tires (wheels with a metal hub with a rubber tire mounted to it, invented by John Boyd Dunlop) were included, affording a far more comfortable ride.

Early Bicycle Lingo Early cyclists were known as “wheelmen” or “wheelwomen”. Bicycles were referred to as “silent steeds” or “steel steeds”. Fast riders were “flyers” and a very fast rider was known as a “scorcher”. In the 1890s folks were not used to these new quiet contraptions; cyclists whizzing by tended to startle the elderly and horses. Some villages and towns, therefore, instituted laws to deter “scorching”. However, for a few brazen cyclists, this was merely seen as a challenge; flaunting the law, they would race their bicycles through the main streets, daring the local constabulary to try to catch them.

Cycling Clubs and Events Quickly cycling clubs sprang up all over North America and Simcoe was the epicentre. In 1894 the Simcoe Cycling Club, known as the “Simcoe Spokes”, hosted the first Canadian Wheelman’s Association (CWA) series of races as well as an annual local series for Norfolk residents at the “Riverview Park Track” (Horse Track at the Fairgrounds) and on Governor’s Road (now Hwy 24). Prizes such as diamond pins and rings, gold-lined coffee spoons, silver cigar boxes and ink stands enticed the competitors.

Hal Donly The CWA was the formative authority in promoting competitive cycling and advancements in all types of cycling. The successful promotion of cycling in this area was largely thanks to Hal Donly who, at age 19, was editor of his family-owned newspaper, the Simcoe Reformer. Hal was also a keen cyclist and treasurer/ secretary of the CWA and publisher of the globally read monthly magazine, “CWA Gazette”.

How Cycling Changed our Roads and Regulations The CWA was also a powerful, nationwide organization and most of its business was directed through the town of Simcoe. With Hal at the helm, the CWA petitioned the government to enact laws to affect the first traffic laws to protect users from each other and petitioned the Provincial Government to improve the limited and poor road systems in Ontario. Aside from the one and only tolled plank road from Hamilton to Port Dover, the roads in Norfolk County in the 1880s were mostly dirt with no culverts. They were often muddy and eroded, somewhat maintained by the landowners whose land abutted the road per the law at that time. It took a significant amount of negotiating by the Canadian Wheelman’s Association, with the resultant creation of the Ontario Good Roads Association (which exists to date), to invoke the gradual changes to the road networks and quality. So today we can be grateful to the early cycling movement for their foresight in the initiation of the road development and improvement.

The First Bike Trail in Norfolk 1896 As cycling became increasingly popular, another project that Hal Donly passionately undertook was the construction of a Bicycle Path (not the Lynn Valley Trail) from Simcoe to Port Dover of pressed dirt, cinders and gravel, running alongside the existing roads. Regulations for the use and conduct on this new trail were passed by Council in 1897, examples include “Cyclists are not permitted to ride faster than 10 mph on the path”, “no scorching” and “if a horse becomes restive or spooked by the cyclist; he must dismount and help control the horse.”

The End of an Era Sadly, the bicycle craze of the 1880s and 90s faded in the early 1900s with the arrival of the exciting new automobile. Bike manufacturers such as C.C.M. switched their assembly lines to automobile production and bicycle news disappeared from the front page of the Simcoe Reformer. However, not for long. Norfolk once again peaked the cycling news with the arrival of immigrants from Europe to Canada in the 1920s and 30s.

Albert Coulier (Schelstraete) – the Beginning of a New Era Albert Coulier (Schelstraete), born in Longpre, France in 1918 moved with his family to Tupperville, Ontario at age 9, and then settled in LaSalette when he was around 16 years old where they lived for 45 years. Albert received his first bike in 1931 and he never looked back! By 1937 he had competed successfully in many races in Canada and Europe and held podium positions right up until his 80s. Over the years he designed and built numerous velodromes in North America for races. At a national level, he served as president of The Canadian Wheelman’s Association (1952-57, and 1972-73). At the same time, he served as Canada’s representative to the Pan American Cycling Federation and led the Canadian cycling delegation at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

As a founding member and longstanding president of the Norfolk Cycling Club (1939), now Silver

Spokes Cycling Club, Albert was known for his steadfast passion and commitment to cycling, encouraging, teaching and promoting all aspects of the sport. He touched many people’s lives with his dedication and benevolence. Albert started the popular and renowned Delhi Criterium Races in 1936 to the mid 1990s, attended by competitive cyclists nationwide. In 2007 Albert was inducted into the Norfolk County Sports Hall of Fame and in 2017 into the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame.

And Here We Are Over the last 50 years, Norfolk County has hosted many events and races in Courtland, Delhi, Turkey Point, Port Dover and Windham Centre. Cycling in Norfolk has bloomed in touring, recreational cycling and mountain bike riding. In the late 1990s the first Turkey Point mountain bike trails were forged, now boasting over 60 signed trails, each with a unique piece of history, and a fastgrowing club. Since 2006 the popular Tour de Norfolk has drawn hundreds of cyclists of all abilities and ages from as far as the USA to enjoy the bountiful scenery of the area on routes around the county.

Silver Spokes Cycling Club It is with great honour to Albert Coulier (Schelstraete) that the Silver Spokes Cycling Club, in its 83rd year, continues in his legacy, encouraging and supporting new and seasoned cyclists, contributing to community events, and enjoying the wonderful roads in Norfolk in the company of fellow cyclists.

This article was prepared with special thanks to Rob Luke and Ron Schelstraete for their assistance and hours of research and history.