before the turn of the 20th century, there existed a column in the NYTIMES called "Gossip of the cyclers" if you search the online nytimes for archives, you can find PDF's of some of the articles.
in the issue I am looking at they are talking about a warm pedal footwarmer that was seen at the Paris Bike Expo. - a little box with charcoal inside that "will spread genial warmth through the feet of the laziest pedaler"
It also talks about a new law prohibiting dropped handlebars!! gasp!!!
here's the one I"m looking at; but there's more.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive...679C94699ED7CF