"In 1884 he acquired a black-enameled Columbia 50-inch Standard model penny-farthing with nickel-plated wheels built by the Pope Manufacturing Company of Chicago. Carrying in his handlebar bag: socks, a spare shirt, a raincoat that doubled as tent and bedroll, and a 38 Smith & Wesson Stevens left San Francisco at 8 o'clock on April 22, 1884 and traveled eastward through the territories towards the United States. He reached Boston after 3700 miles on wagon trails, railroad ways, canal towpaths and public roads, to complete the first transcontinental bicycle ride on August 4, 1884."
"Having tasted success, Stevens then went on to become the first man to cycle around the world on a bicycle."
So far I have met riders from Sweden, Germany, Ireland, and England. Anyone willing to travel across the ocean and ride in a foreign land is very brave in my eyes. Especially ridin' on 50-inch wheels. =D
Here is the route he took.
Resources:
Here and Here
Hey Chris, I just caught up on your blog! So amazing, your pics and experiences are just so cool : ) Hope to see/hear more about it when you get back! : )
ReplyDeleteSummer of 2010: The United States
ReplyDeleteSummer of 2011: The World
I'm sure EOU would recommend the Smith and Wesson for that one!
Chris! It was great to hear from you the other day. All of your posts are just amazing. Still can't wait till you get back. Keep going and keep riding hard.
ReplyDeleteAdrienne and Michael, thanks for checkin' out the blog. Missouri is pretty killer with the heat and humidity, but hopefully it cools down.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I don't think I'll be attempting a world tour quite yet, Mom. If I do, the Smith & Wesson will be a consideration though.