Sir A. Conan Doyle's Scheme for a Cycling Army
Sir A. Conan Doyle's Scheme for a Cycling Army is a letter written by Arthur Conan Doyle published in the magazine Cycling on 16 february 1910.
Sir A. Conan Doyle's Scheme for a Cycling Army
Interesting Letter to "Cycling."
We have received an interesting letter We cordially endorse Sir Arthur's from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the celebrated novelist, in which he enlarges upon the suggestion thrown out by bins in a letter to the "Daily Express" concerning the formation of a cycling army. Sir Arthur proposes to substitute bicycle regiments of mounted riflemen for the Yeomanry cavalry for the defence of this island. With the artillery drawn by steam or petrol motors, the horse would then be eliminated. He premises that the machines should be strong and serviceable, fitted with clips for rifles and a small carrier for essentials. He suggests that they should have
SOLID BUT RESILIENT TYRES,
a combination not to be found at the present day, and in this respect we join issue with him.
Sir Arthur enlarges upon the suggestions appearing in our contemporary, and writes to us:—
- To the Editors of CYCLING.
- I can see no possible use in a small squad of cyclists in a battalion of infan-try. Its such a war as an invasion of this country, when great masses of men would be concentrated on some danger spot, either the cyclists would remain with the regiment, in which case might as well be on foot, or else they would get separated, in which case they would not regain it till the end of the campaign.
- No, a cycle unit must be all cyclists, and act quite on its own. But in that case it at once takes over the duties of cavalry, and enables us to dispense with some of that expensive force In a comparison between Yeomanry regiments and cyclist battalions for home defence, all the arguments are, in my opinion, for the cyclist. They are as follow:—
- 1. CHEAPNESS. — A £40 horse to a £7 cycle.
- 2. PERMANENCE. — The horse gets weary, is wounded, dies. The bicycle only needs a repairer.
- 3. — Question of forage.
- 4. — Question of stables.
- 5. — One travels 30, the other 100 miles a day.
- 6. — ATTENDANCE. — When the men are in action, horses must be held. Cycles are left lying.
- Against these weighty advantages, and many minor ones, there is only the cross. country question to be set. But this country is no intersected with lanes and piths that I do not think the objection is serious.
- The annual saving which would he effected by the substitution of cycle battalions for Yeomanry would represent the interest upon a very large aura of money. — Yours very truly,
- ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.
We would add that proof of the efficiency of a cycle in getting across country is to be found in the way large numbers of cyclists manage to get in at the "kill" at the end of any fox hunt, frequently in front of the huntsmen themselves.
We cordially endorse Sir Arthur's views, but should like to have the opinions of our readers on the proposal. We do not agree in the matter of solid tyres, however, for long distances and cross-country riding would be rendered impossible. There is no reason why stout roadster covers should not be need, and last a considerable time. It is quite certain that a cyclist mounted on pneumatic tyres would cover a much greater distance than on solids, and with less fatigue.
