TIL: German chancellor, Helmut Kohl, refused to go anywhere near a bike, shouting: "I am not a monkey!" - 1997

The newly elected Tony Blair i turned the jaunt into a serious race, so he could demonstrate Britain was once more "leading in Europe". His aides picked the best bike and made sure it was in good working order, allowing their man to sail pass Europe's older leaders and dismount while they were still puffing away.

Damn Brits and their dirty tricks!

Darn right. Unlike the Netherlands we actually have access to decent transportation other than bikes and caravans. BMWs for the city, Porsches for the Autobahn and Kraus-Maffais for the Holland vacations.