The Title of This Blog

The Practical Cyclist is a reference to Nathaniel Bowditch's The New American Practical Navigator. Bowditch's title seemed a little ostentatious, so I shortened it. The title of Bowditch's book actually refers to John Hamilton Moore's The Practical Navigator. Bowditch's original task was to correct the errors in Moore's work, although Bowditch's book would became a far more extensive project. My desire here is to emulate Bowditch work, which would provide essential information to seamen of limited education and resources. Bowditch was a more or less self-taught mathematician and scientist who held accuracy in high regard. The New American Practical Navigator book became known as "the seaman's bible," and continues to be updated and used as a standard nautical text and reference.