Gabriel Poulain and his Aviette

 

You're probably already familiar with the connection between the bicycle, the brothers Wright, and early aviation, but are you familiar with the aviette? Apparently riding and flying [?] one was a thing among French cycling professionals. Poulain, a "famous French sprinter" flew his aviette for a little more than thirteen yards. That does not sound like much, but unless he used a big hill and ramp, it probably was. I mean, looking at the contraption lacking any kind of foil for lift, I'm kind of surprised it could get off the ground at all. Anyway, Peugeot, makers of the thing, were offering $2,000 to anyone who could fly for 110 meters. (from Bicycle and Motorcycle Illustrated, 1919)