The bicycle craze reached its peak in the mid 1890s. And so did bicycle jokes, which focused on the cost, scorchers, accidents and relationships. Here are several from 1896 newspapers … “I second the motion,” said the man on the rear of the tandem. “I don’t want the wheel, it is too heavy.” “Say, I’ll … Continue reading More Cycling Humor From the 1890s
Author: Steve Wartenberg
Bike Touring Just Like They Did In 1896
This is going to be the greatest summer for wheel touring that the country has ever seen, for there are nearly 1,000,000 more wheelmen this year than there were before last, and the bicyclist who took his first ride in 1895 will, ten chances to one, take his first tour in 1896. Sewell Ford, reporter … Continue reading Bike Touring Just Like They Did In 1896
The Historic Quest to Invent a Flat-Proof Bicycle Tire
The need to develop a flat-proof bicycle tire began a few minutes (or maybe it was a few miles) after J.B. Dunlop, an Irish veterinary surgeon, invented the pneumatic (air-filled) tire all the way back in 1888. Let’s take a look at some of the early, unsuccessful, and sometimes humorous attempts to do away with … Continue reading The Historic Quest to Invent a Flat-Proof Bicycle Tire
The Great Cowboys Vs. Cyclists Race (1887), with a Special Appearance From Buffalo Bill
This cycling-history story has it all: Buffalo Bill and Broncho Charlie, two champion cyclists and a six-day race between mustangs and penny farthings that had all of London in a tizzy! It’s 1887 and Buffalo Bill and his famed Wild West Show were in the midst of their first British tour at the Agricultural Hall … Continue reading The Great Cowboys Vs. Cyclists Race (1887), with a Special Appearance From Buffalo Bill
Arthur Roadhouse: The Boy With No Legs Who Rode Like the Wind
Arthur Roadhouse I stumbled across this paragraph in St. Louis Globe-Democrat, from the August 22, 1895 issue ... After reading it, I just had to find out more about the 508-pound Baby Bliss (here’s the link to my story) and Arthur Roadhouse. “Here is the greatest of all bicycle freaks ...” This was the first … Continue reading Arthur Roadhouse: The Boy With No Legs Who Rode Like the Wind
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