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- T. J. Kirkpatrick, President of the League of American Wheelmen, with Velocipede, circa 1889 - Thomas J. Kirkpatrick of Springfield, Ohio, was elected president of the League of American Wheelmen (LAW) in 1887 and 1888. LAW promoted the benefits of cycling and advocated for the creation of better roads. Kirkpatrick would go on to patent a bicycle saddle in the late 1890s.
- circa 1885
- Collections - Artifact
T. J. Kirkpatrick, President of the League of American Wheelmen, with Velocipede, circa 1889
Thomas J. Kirkpatrick of Springfield, Ohio, was elected president of the League of American Wheelmen (LAW) in 1887 and 1888. LAW promoted the benefits of cycling and advocated for the creation of better roads. Kirkpatrick would go on to patent a bicycle saddle in the late 1890s.
- Start of a High-Wheel Bicycle Race, circa 1886 - American bicycle racing flourished in the late 19th century -- first with the high-wheel "ordinary" machines, then with the same-sized wheel "safeties". This photograph shows seven athletes atop their high-wheel bicycles prepared for the start of a race. Spectators press up against the rails at this local track to watch and encourage their favorite cyclist.
- circa 1886
- Collections - Artifact
Start of a High-Wheel Bicycle Race, circa 1886
American bicycle racing flourished in the late 19th century -- first with the high-wheel "ordinary" machines, then with the same-sized wheel "safeties". This photograph shows seven athletes atop their high-wheel bicycles prepared for the start of a race. Spectators press up against the rails at this local track to watch and encourage their favorite cyclist.
- League of American Wheelmen Lapel Pin, circa 1900 - The poor conditions of late 19th-century roads hampered bicyclists and their sport. In 1880, avid bicyclists formed the League of American Wheelmen to champion their rights and campaign for "Good Roads." League members were early advocates for road improvements, and they showed their support by wearing lapel pins like this one.
- circa 1900
- Collections - Artifact
League of American Wheelmen Lapel Pin, circa 1900
The poor conditions of late 19th-century roads hampered bicyclists and their sport. In 1880, avid bicyclists formed the League of American Wheelmen to champion their rights and campaign for "Good Roads." League members were early advocates for road improvements, and they showed their support by wearing lapel pins like this one.
- Meeting of the League of American Wheelmen, 1896 -
- 1896
- Collections - Artifact
Meeting of the League of American Wheelmen, 1896
- Edward P. Burnham on His Velocipede, circa 1905 - Edward P. Burnham of Newton, Massachusetts, was a longtime cyclist. In the 1880s he raced bicycles and tricycles and held the ten-mile championship record for 1885. He kept his high-wheel machine when he moved to California after the turn-of-the-century. He also rode it occasionally for special cycling events. This photograph shows Burnham atop his vehicle in the early 1900s.
- circa 1905
- Collections - Artifact
Edward P. Burnham on His Velocipede, circa 1905
Edward P. Burnham of Newton, Massachusetts, was a longtime cyclist. In the 1880s he raced bicycles and tricycles and held the ten-mile championship record for 1885. He kept his high-wheel machine when he moved to California after the turn-of-the-century. He also rode it occasionally for special cycling events. This photograph shows Burnham atop his vehicle in the early 1900s.
- George D. Gideon, League of American Wheelmen, 1881 - Philadelphian, George D. Gideon, won several state and national long-distance races in the 1880s. He later served as chairman of the League of American Wheelmen's Racing Board in the 1890s. The board oversaw cycling's amateur status and dispensed suspensions when rules were violated. The board also sanctioned races, appointed handicappers, and verified records among its other duties.
- 1881
- Collections - Artifact
George D. Gideon, League of American Wheelmen, 1881
Philadelphian, George D. Gideon, won several state and national long-distance races in the 1880s. He later served as chairman of the League of American Wheelmen's Racing Board in the 1890s. The board oversaw cycling's amateur status and dispensed suspensions when rules were violated. The board also sanctioned races, appointed handicappers, and verified records among its other duties.
- W.V. Gilman with High-Wheel Bicycle, circa 1885 - W. V. Gilman poses in front of his high-wheel bicycle. Gilman, from Nashua, New Hampshire, served as treasurer and corresponding secretary for the League of American Wheelmen in the 1880s. League members were early advocates of good roads and the rights of cyclists.
- circa 1885
- Collections - Artifact
W.V. Gilman with High-Wheel Bicycle, circa 1885
W. V. Gilman poses in front of his high-wheel bicycle. Gilman, from Nashua, New Hampshire, served as treasurer and corresponding secretary for the League of American Wheelmen in the 1880s. League members were early advocates of good roads and the rights of cyclists.
- Burley B. Ayers of the League of American Wheelmen, circa 1885 - Chicagoan and cyclist, Burley B. Ayers, was a prominent member of the League of American Wheelmen. League members were early advocates of good roads and the rights of cyclists. Ayers encouraged railroads to transport bicycles free of charge or for a minimal fee to promote cycling. He also managed touring events for cyclists throughout the U. S. and Canada.
- circa 1885
- Collections - Artifact
Burley B. Ayers of the League of American Wheelmen, circa 1885
Chicagoan and cyclist, Burley B. Ayers, was a prominent member of the League of American Wheelmen. League members were early advocates of good roads and the rights of cyclists. Ayers encouraged railroads to transport bicycles free of charge or for a minimal fee to promote cycling. He also managed touring events for cyclists throughout the U. S. and Canada.
- Howard E. Raymond, League of American Wheelmen, 1889 - The League of American Wheelmen's Racing Board instituted rules for professional and amateur racing. Howard E. Raymond chaired this board in the mid-1890s. He and other board members defined amateur status and dispensed suspensions when rules were violated. The board also sanctioned races, appointed handicappers, and verified records among its other duties.
- 1889
- Collections - Artifact
Howard E. Raymond, League of American Wheelmen, 1889
The League of American Wheelmen's Racing Board instituted rules for professional and amateur racing. Howard E. Raymond chaired this board in the mid-1890s. He and other board members defined amateur status and dispensed suspensions when rules were violated. The board also sanctioned races, appointed handicappers, and verified records among its other duties.
- Bicyclist Charles H. Potter, 1884 - Charles H. Potter was a cyclist from Cleveland, Ohio -- he raced tricycles in the 1880s. More important was his involvement in various cycling organizations, which are listed on the back of the image. Also, if you look closely at his picture, he wears a lapel pin that touted his membership in the Cyclists Touring Club (American Division).
- 1884
- Collections - Artifact
Bicyclist Charles H. Potter, 1884
Charles H. Potter was a cyclist from Cleveland, Ohio -- he raced tricycles in the 1880s. More important was his involvement in various cycling organizations, which are listed on the back of the image. Also, if you look closely at his picture, he wears a lapel pin that touted his membership in the Cyclists Touring Club (American Division).