Turn of the 19th Century Bicycling

Unfinished History

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Museum of 19th century curiosities from the WASP... modern women with their bicycles examine the relics of times gone by (or soon to pass!)

Image: California Historical Society

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The Bicycle Issue of the WASP, August 1895.

Image: California Historical Society

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Bicycle Parade from Golden Gate Park to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition on the north shore of the city, 1915.

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Bicycle Built for Two traditional song from the 1890s.

More than 5,000 cyclists (known then as "scorchers" for the amazing speeds they achieved!) blazed a trail about five miles long in a spectacular "Good Roads Rally." Over 100,000 lined the streets on Saturday night, July 25th, 1896, as cyclists demanded asphalt and improved roads in San Francisco. Many riders preferred local Velodromes during this era.

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Cycling to the PPIE Fair 1915
Video: Prelinger Archive

October 1896 Parade

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League of American Wheelmen meeting in San Francisco, mid-1890s.

Image: courtesy California Historical Society

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League of American Wheelmen meeting in San Francisco, mid-1890s.

Image: courtesy California Historical Society

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The Cyclery, a bicycling business along the Stanyan Street east end of Golden Gate Park, since 1886, according to this ad that appeared in The Wasp.

Image: California Historical Society

19th Century Bicycling: Rubber was the Dark Secret


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