The Start of a Bicycle Race, circa 1890

THF201301 / The Start of a Bicycle Race, circa 1890
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Artifact Overview

Five cyclists await the starter's gun atop their safety bicycles in this 1890s photograph. By the early 1890s, the safety was outpacing its high-wheel forerunner. Cycling enthusiasts would abandon high wheelers and set new records on faster-racing safeties.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

circa 1890

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

86.18.38.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process
Toning (Photography)

Color

Brown
Sepia (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 4.5 in
Width: 3.5 in

Inscriptions

Handwritten on back: Race start / about 1890
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Related Content

  • Start of a Bicycle Race, Cleveland, Ohio, 1886
    Set

    Bicycle Racing

    • 12 Artifacts
    Six men line up for the start of a race in Cleveland, Ohio. Identified cyclists include A.B. Rich, W.E. Crist, and Charles Frazier -- recognized racing names found in the pages of cycling journals of the period. Frazier, second from the left, rides a Star Safety -- a high wheeler with the small wheel in front to help prevent headers.