he Lilliland Bicycle Race

aron Von Lodge was the head of a small country known as Lilliland near Switzerland. The time was the early 1900s.

Bicycling all over Europe was the summer rage. It seemed that many campers decided they could see more on a bicycle than backpacking on the trails. They figured they could see as much on a bicycle in one day as they could in five days of hiking.

The Baron decided to give the bicycle a try and bought two bicycles, one for him and one for Lady Angela of Alpine Castle. They both caught on to the skills needed to ride a bicycle.

The Baron was asked to establish youth hostels for bicycle travelers. These hostels were near the main bike trails and provided rest and refreshment at a minimum cost so that all could enjoy themselves. Most of the bicycle campers were students from various universities from numerous countries. It was a pleasant way to spend their summer vacations away from academic life. It was also a way to make new friends and see a lot of the beautiful countryside of Lilliland and the Alpine Mountains.

The Baron decided to widen some of the bridal paths in Lilliland to accommodate bicycle riders since the bicycles were not noisy and did not frighten the horses. Once a year these new bike paths were converted into a racetrack for the bikers to see who was the fastest in the area. The bike path was 12 miles long and it created a lot of interest and tourism for the event. The racetrack would be up and down the mountain to test a variety of biking skills.

Everyone had a good time and it soon became a popular event each year in Lilliland.