It seems bicycles and crime go together, all around the world. I found lots of fascinating stories from back in the day, so, court's in session … Smuggling on the French-Belgian border, 1897 The duty on pepper was crazy high back then. So darn high that “poor people have almost ceased to know what pepper … Continue reading Bicycle History: The International Crime & Punishment Episode
Tag: bicycle history
Bicycle History: Lions & Tigers & Bears … and Bikes!
Beasts and bicycles, just think of all the fascinating possibilities. Here are three of the stories I found in old newspapers that leapt off the faded pages and bit me ... The Bear, the Bicycle, and the Bloomers Bruin was a performer, a dancing bear who lived with his “master” somewhere in London. Apparently this … Continue reading Bicycle History: Lions & Tigers & Bears … and Bikes!
Around the World With Bicycle History: A King, Sultan, Bullfighter, Deadly Duel & the World’s Most Expensive Bike
The bicycle is everywhere, in every country and culture, and can be used for good and for evil, as you'll see. So, off we go on a quick bike trip around the world: Spain, France, Greece, Russia, Morocco, England, back to Spain and, finally, South Africa. Spain: No Bull Birmingham Daily Post, England, July 2, … Continue reading Around the World With Bicycle History: A King, Sultan, Bullfighter, Deadly Duel & the World’s Most Expensive Bike
The Story of Baby Bliss: The World’s Largest Cyclist
My last post was about Arthur Roadhouse, the boy who rode a bike despite having "no legs and but one arm," according to the 1895 article below. Here's the link. Today: Baby Bliss! Baby Bliss became a national sensation at an early age and remained in the spotlight – and in the newspapers – for … Continue reading The Story of Baby Bliss: The World’s Largest Cyclist
Arthur Roadhouse: The Boy With No Legs Who Rode Like the Wind
The paragraph above, from an August 22, 1895 story in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, Missouri, certainly got my attention. How about you? I had to find out more about a 508-pound bike rider, and the cyclist with one arm and no legs. How the heck did Arthur turn the pedals without legs? Could this story … Continue reading Arthur Roadhouse: The Boy With No Legs Who Rode Like the Wind
