Musette Bag, Cycles Chimère c. 1920s/1930s

Description

Cycles Chimère

Cycles Chimère was part of the rich bicycle trade of Lyon, one of the great centers of French cycle manufacturing in the early twentieth century. The brand was associated with the firm of Henri Gauthier and Léon Chapuis réunis and took its name from the chimera, the mythological creature that appeared on the company’s head badge. That detail alone gives the marque an unusual presence, setting it apart from the many regional makers of the period. Historical sources also place Chimère within the wider network of Lyon cycle production, alongside names such as Reinor and Omega, thereby giving the company a clear place in the commercial and visual culture of early-twentieth-century French cycling.

Images from Encycloduvelo.fr

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The Musette: A Simple Cloth Bag and Icon of Cycling

We see riders wrapped in spare tubes with goggles firmly in place, carrying the unmistakable fabric food bag from bicycle racing’s earliest photographs. This simple but vital musette bag takes its name from the nose bag often seen hanging around horses’ necks.

Getting food and water to riders has always been a tricky but crucial part of racing. In the early days, riders often raided bars and cafes to supplement what a rider could carry in a musette, leaving bills for race organizers to settle later. Formal feed zones were introduced to racing in 1919, but riders still had to stop to take on provisions from large tables. By the 1950s, the random cafes and tables of food began to be replaced by team staff on the side of the road handing off the musettes to riders who did not need to stop and risk losing valuable time. As cycling technology advances, with innovations like radios and wireless shifting, the proven and straightforward musette bag remains a vital method for riders in the peloton to get food and drinks.

In the early days, musettes were not available for fans to purchase. They were highly prized and collected, especially when a favorite brand or race was featured.

This item is one of a kind; please look carefully at the photos to determine the condition.