The story of British cycling's rise to global power begins with the adventures of Frank Bowden, a young British lawyer, born in Exeter in 1848. He made his 1 in Hong Kong during the 1870s, but became seriously ill. When he returned to England he was told by his doctor he probably only had six months to live, but that 2 a bike might prolong(延长) his life.
Frank3up cycling with a passion and, a year later, was healthier than ever before. He wanted to share the health 4 of the bicycle—and at the same time make money. He found the perfect 5 when he came across a small bicycle company based in Raleigh Street, Nottingham. Frank was so impressed by the bikes they made that he 6 the business and in 1888 the Raleigh Bicycle Company was born. Rapid development followed. By 1896 they 7 a five-acre factory in Nottingham, and had such 8 in their bikes that they offered a lifetime promise of 9 with every one they sold. Frank Bowden died in 1921. By that time he'd turned a backstreet 10 into the biggest bicycle corporation in the world,11thousands of people to enjoy the health benefits of the pastime that had once saved his life.
The first half of the 20th century was a good time for cycling especially Raleigh. They helped create a colorful cycling 12 in Britain. At first it was largely male—women riders were regarded as unladylike. But, 13 more women started cycling and there were women's racing clubs too. More and more men and women saw the bike as a(n)14 purchase to get them to and from work. It was also a needed form of personal 15 for the postman, the policeman, the midwife and the district nurse. And the company developed a range of children's bikes too, so that, by the 1930s, a bicycle had become one of the most popular birthday presents.
