Clarion call on a bicycle

When we think of a fanfare or brass band, we traditionally think of bands that march through towns or villages to welcome a dignitary or commemorate an important event. Some fanfare bands, however, were born on bicycles. 

At the end of the 19th century, a new means of transport broke through: the bicycle. Only the wealthy could purchase one to travel greater distances faster than on foot and these new-fangled bicycles quickly became a status symbol. Anyone who wanted to fit in had to get on their bikes. Amateurs united in velo clubs, along political or commercial fault lines. There were, among others, Catholic and liberal clubs or even some that were affiliated to a brewery because a member supplied the beer at the inn where they met. That's all fine but, as is often the case, there can be a yawning gap between will and skill. There was at lot of wobbling around in those days. This incompetence, inexperience, carelessness and hubris would irrevocably take their toll, with dents, bumps and worse. 

So new traffic rules were introduced. The velo clubs had to clearly announce their approach on every street corner. But with a vulgar horn? No, it could be much more festive. Why not have a proud clarion caller ride up front? Where one started, others soon followed and before long the many velo clubs around the country had been transformed into roaring cycling brass bands or velo fanfares that attracted groups of spectators and a veritable stampede as they passed. Most groups had their own trumpet brigade. 

Gradually they started participating in competitions, world exhibitions and all kinds of other events. The Flemish cycling classic Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne would not have come about without velo fanfare Zonder Kommer and Royal Agrément de la Pédale Fanfare Cycliste from Waremme was enlisted to add a musical touch to the arrival of the Tour de France in 1926. They also addressed remarkably modern-sounding social needs and managed to rally thousands of devotees around them. Together, they campaigned for the construction of better roads, safe bike lanes and the reduction and eventual abolition of the bicycle tax. 

World War I ushered in the decline of this unique chunk of Belgian cultural heritage, as the German occupiers demanded all bicycles. Of the 60 or so cycling brass bands, most quit while others continued as marching or seated brass bands. These days, you have to search pretty hard to find any at all. But, if you would like to be blown away by this type of fanfare band, why not ask, in the West Flemish town of Eernegem, when the Royal Velo club De Zwaluw from 1891 will next be blowing its own trumpet.