The temperature in my town today was quickly reaching up to touch the toes of the 90 degree Fahrenheit mark. I was longing to take a bike ride, but in that heat I would certainly melt so instead I harkened back to the time Spaceman and I visited the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame in Davis, CA.

We were in the area visiting friends and family and it was, once again, hot. Spaceman was delighted by the heat while I kept an eye out for water fountains or drink kiosks. Luckily our private and exceedingly delightful guide (who also happens to be family) brought us to the local farmer’s market. After wandering about there and eating some deliciously fresh food, we decided to explore the area.

Around a bend or two, we found ourselves in front of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame. Who new this existed in Davis, CA? Well, it does and it is very interesting (and air conditioned). While you start planning your visit, here are some interesting facts about the bicycle you may not know:

• The first bicycles had wooden wheels and were called “Boneshakers” because of their shaky ride.
• Bicycle tires filled with air weren’t invented until 1888. It went wooden wheels (earliest), then solid rubber wheels (1885), and finally air-filled rubber wheels which provided the most comfortable ride.
• Cycling was one of the nine original sports in the modern Olympic Games.
• The kick stand made its debut on bicycles in 1940.
• Women who bike for 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer and people who ride bicycles for 3 hours per week (roughly 18 miles or 30 kilometers) cut their risk of heart attack and stroke in half.