Change of plan (to a degree)

Instead of pursuing an entirely entomological model, natural history-based FMP, I've decided to look into other fields of making.
I was unable to find an insect or similar life form that inspired me enough, despite finding many interesting and peculiar creatures. Reflecting back on the success of my wasp model from last year I've now decided that committing entirely to an insect model might not be the best thing.

The other subject area that's appealing to me right now is one that I'm actively involved in and continually fascinated by - CYCLING
The evolution of the bicycle, various designs and specific aspects of cycle design are continual interests of mine.
I've had a few thoughts of what I could make as a model that relates to this topic and a few things have sprung to mind…
The first bicycle or recognised form of two-wheeled, human-propelled transport. This is the 'Laufmachine' (1816) designed and patented by Baron von Drais (Baden, Germany). It was also known as the 'Draisine' (English) and 'Draisienne' (French). The design was developed in the 1820s and became known as the both the Hobby Horse and Dandy Horse.

 Laufmaschine

I'm also very interested in the field of vintage racing cycles (pre 1980s). I own both a classic 1977 Carlton Circuit which, I've had for over two years and an earlier Royal Enfield Falcon that I've had for more than five years.
What I like about old racers is the design. The shape of the bicycle hasn't altered all that much since the 1920s but the materials and details in them have and it was in this classic cycling period, when the Tour de France was a massive spectacle, that the detailing on many frame sets was ramped up.
I'm a huge fan of the vintage racing style, which has (unfortunately in my opinion) been ripped off by the recent 'fixie' craze that's evolved from the city courier scene, particularly in London, in the last ten years. This scene has taken to finding frame sets made by the most reputable manufacturers in the UK, France and Italy and stripped them down to nothing but the frame, wheels and a fixed, single-speed gear on the rear wheel and, often doing away with brakes altogether. It's now become fashionable to acquire and - effectively - tart up beautiful, old frames and make them look as 'individual' as possible, something many modifiers do to the detriment of the aesthetics of their machines.

One particular aspect of vintage cycle design that I enjoy is lug-work. The often intricate and delicate tube housings used in joining the framework together.

Herbie Helm (Michigan) frame and laug-work

The possible pieces I could make from these ideas include

- small-scale model of the Laufmaschine

- full-size working model the Laufmaschine

- large-scale enlargement of intricate lug-work

- full-size/actual set of lugs for a racing frame

Both of the lug pieces would probably involve an element of design on my behalf, although I could replicate an original design from an actual bicycle.