25 OCTOBER 2003, Page 48

Mounting popularity

From Sir Michael Samuelson

Sir: James Blount may well shudder at the expression 'horse-riding', as did John Betjeman nearly 60 years ago (Letters, 11 October). The blame rests with the bicycle. Until about a century ago, not one Englishman in ten, outside the cavalry, ever bestrode anything. Then, quite suddenly, even common people were riding — first a pushbike and soon a motorbike; on a saddle, too. `How did you get there?' 'I rode.' 'I didn't know you had a horse.—No, I rode my Sunbeam two-speeder.'

That, by the way, was more distinguished than your average hack, and not much cheaper.

Michael Samuelson

Pevensey, East Sussex