Thirty days of biking

We're midway through the group's call for pedaling somewhere everyday during the month of April.

Sadly, my machine isn't even off the garage storage rack.

Part of the reason is I spend too much time at the computer looking at old cycling photos including my favorite courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society.

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All the MnHS caption says is Bessie Ingersoll on a bicycle about 1900. I like it for a number of reasons, not the least of which is Ms. Ingersoll made a smashing fashion statement while cycling - note especially the jaunty feather in her hat.

More serious students of cycling history than I know that back in the old days two wheelers were a big part of life. Cars were way too expensive. Roads were, well, not much more than ox cart trails. Here's a photo courtesy of the MnHS titled, "Interior, Frederick Roach Bicycle Shop, 519 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis.1904" Very cool.

Bike clubs were all the rage even then. Here's the MnHS Flour City Bike Club photo from 1890.