LBC History Series Cycling Photos from the Past The Beginning of the ‘Modern-Day’ Louisville Wheelmen The Early Days Bicycle Commuting in the Late 19th Century The Big Ride in 1897 ‘Pap’ Ruff and the Wheelmen’s Bench The Trials & Tribulations of the Turn-of-the-Century Cyclists Louisville Cycle Clubs (an article from The Courier-Journal, Sunday, August 9, 1896) Centennial Ride – Sunday, Sept. 28, 1997 League of American Wheelmen 1896 Rally Bicycling in Louisville (an excerpt from the Louisville Encyclopedia)

Cycling Photos from the Past

courtesy of University of Louisville’s Photographic Archives

• Couple with bicycles — Check out the “safeties” completed with elaborate seat suspension and, as far as I can tell, pneumatic tires and linkages-operated hub brakes
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• A “Wheelman” with his high wheeler
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• A young cyclist — How would you like to ride a bike with this kind of trail and rake? The frame doesn’t look all that rigid either, without what we call the “top tube.” But, hey, you can’t beat those 20-spoke wheels!
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• A trio of wheelmen — Who says front suspension is a new invention? Check out the suspension set-up of the safety bicycle on the left!
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• A gaggle of wheelmen doing a balancing act. There are high-wheelers, safety bicycles, and even a tandem (but don’t look for generous cockpit room for the stoker)!
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• Jefferis’ Cycle Shop
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• Wheelmen’s Bench & A.D. “Pap” Ruff Memorial as it appeared in 1898.
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