Book Description

From 1888 to 1895, American cycling underwent a transformative journey from clunky three-wheel tricycles to sleek and efficient two-wheel bicycles, marking a pivotal moment in the history of women’s cycling. The introduction of the "safety" bike, with its equal-sized wheels, replaced the cumbersome big-wheel “ordinary” contraption, and made cycling more accessible to women and reshaped the social and cultural landscape. The transition from sitting securely on three wheels to balancing precariously on two wheels was met with skepticism and intrigue. The novel concept of forward momentum and equilibrium presented challenges in conveying its simplicity, especially to those unfamiliar with the experience. Steering remained a mystery, and the restrictive nature of women’s skirts posed a significant obstacle to mounting a saddle and pedaling. The emergence of the "drop frame" (later known as a "girl's bike"), invented to accommodate women's fashions, was countered by advances in the dress reform movement and a public outcry over the adoption of bloomers and knickerbockers. This volume of the Sports She Wrote series presents 86 articles (121,000 words) and 79 illustrations from this era, subdivided into four sections: Part 1 features ten articles by Grace E. Denison, a notable figure in the cycling community and one of the “Sweet Sixteen” founders of the Canadian Women’s Press Club. Part 2 focuses on the life and writings of Mary Sargent Hopkins, also known as "Merrie Wheeler," one of the most influential women bicyclists of the era, who is also prominent in other volumes of this series. Part 3 presents 38 chronological articles written by more than two dozen women from 1888 to 1895, providing diverse perspectives and lively debate. Part 4 features 53-year-old women’s rights advocate Frances E. Willard's seminal book, How I Learned to Ride the Wheel, offering psychological and philosophical insight into women’s empowerment through cycling, as well as practical advice for women learning to ride and those who were too timid to try. Sports She Wrote is a 31-volume time-capsule of primary documents written by more than 500 women in the 19th century, including nine volumes on cycling.