The above cycle, the 1894 Roper Steamer Bicycle, was the last bicycle created by a Mr Sylvester Roper, and the bicycle that he eventually perished apon. The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum has an excellent article about the bike and its creator, as well as more photographs of the workings of this most handsome of steam powered biwheeled contrivances. Mr Columbus Jones, who pointed it out to me, described the additional images as quite tasty – and I certainly find them agreeable myself!

A beautiful vehicle, capable of 40mph and 7 miles on a single stoking of the boiler – and what sounds like quite an inventor to go with it. I’m sure he went out where he was happiest – on the saddle of his favourite invention, racing youngsters and winning, at the very respectable age of 73. My hat would have been off to him.