Women on the Move: The Forgotten Era of Women's Bicycle Racing

I got this as study for my own writing in late 19th/ early 20th century with a feminist twist to some degree. Great detail like drunk men and young scapegrace boys throwing tacks onto the track of ridiculously high banked design and the insane but awesome female champion cyclists on new 'safety bicycles'. Great read but only for those into something this obscure! Highly recommend!

Women on the Move: The Forgotten Era of Women’s Bicycle Racing by Roger Gilles.Perhaps the title should be the Lost Era or the purposely Forgotten era of Women’s Bicycle Racing as there are no official records of their athletic feats on the boards of tracks around the country.This is a fascinating book following the short era of professional women’s bicycle racing from 1895 to 1902. The safety bicycle was the fad of the day. This was a machine that men and women could use with ease compared to the old high wheels that had so many limitations. Women were soon out riding in the countryside on their bicycles. Then some women took to the boards of hastily built wooden tracks that were more like a saucer, very short and with high banks to race. Some as short as 16 laps to a mile. At first it was considered a curiosity, later they were taken seriously as their speeds rivaled the men they were not allowed to compete against.Without any official recording how this era of women’s competitive cycling came to light is a story in itself. It all begins in “Big O’s” pizza cafe in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with Sue Stauffacher seeing a framed post card in the restroom. There on the wall was was a framed post card of the Sweet hotel. Sue was intrigued by what she read on the card, "In 1897, one of Sweet’s most famous guests was Tillie, The Terrible Swede, ‘fastest bicyclist of her sex."Ms. Stauffacher an author of children’s books saw the seeds of a book. From her research she learned that the Terrible Swede was Tillie Anderson, who with "other top racers came to embody the New Woman - physical and independent, eager to enter the male-dominated public sphere 0 and as such they threatened Victorian notions of strength, beauty, and womanhood." (from the introduction to the book by Roger Gilles)Ms. Stauffacher’s efforts came to the attention of Alice Roepke, Tillie Anderson’s great niece. Alice Roepke was a treasure trove of material and soon the little children’s book project turned into this book written by Sue’s husband, Roger Gilles.Eschewing the acceptable blouse and bloomers for women cyclists to ride in costumes considered scandalous - sweater, shorts and tights, and earning astronomical sums for the day. Their records are mostly lost because the League of American Wheelmen refused to acknowledge the women. So much so that any man who competed with them would be suspended. The story of the women parallels the story of Marshal (Major) Taylor, arguably the fastest man on wheels because of the prejudice against him for being African American and for the women being women challenging the superiority of white men.These women planted seeds that sprouted into full bloom in feminism. They weren’t the only agents but certainly had a big role to play in women being taken seriously as actual real human beings.Gilles quotes Susan B. Anthony in his introduction, "Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world."Just as women today are described as shrill when being emphatic these women were described in unflattering terms for what in men would be considered a strong competitive spirit. This book along with the stories that are coming out about women mathematicians and code breakers need to be best sellers. Our young girls need to have women role models that will encourage them to excel where their talent lies.Read this book which brings back to life these women who never, never should’ve been forgotten. Ever girl and woman who has benefited from The Terrible Swede and the other pioneers who threw off the corsets that bound women in restrictive roles - terrible yes, but great indeed.Or just read this book an be drawn into the excitement of the racing experience. Anyone who thinks women aren't competitive will soon have a different think after reading this book. I enjoyed every word only sad that the book and the era ended.

Roger Gilles has excavated the fascinating history of women's bicycle racing in the late 19th Century. And what a history it is. Women's velodrome bicycling racing was once far more popular and exciting than men's cycling. Women's speeds rivaled men's, and their daring outstripped men's. Thousands of spectators thronged to watch women cyclists zip dangerously around steeply banked velodrome tracks and battle for victory (and fairly large prizes). Roger Gilles has painstakingly uncovered the stories of these superb athletes--among them Tillie Anderson (Tillie the Terrible Swede), Lizzie Glaw (her hottest rival), and Dottie Farnsworth (a fabulous cyclist with a huge personality). He brings the races--six day events--to life (who knew that the tale of a bike race 122 years ago could be told thrillingly?) He situates these women and women's cycling within the larger themes of feminism, immigration, and the changing urban landscape.

What is most amazing about this book, is the family who kept the scrapbook, the record of these women's accomplishments. Given the time in history, these women helped move the culture beyond the Victorian Era. For women today who enjoy riding a bicycle, enjoy wearing pants, this is a good read!

Did you know that women bicycle racing was of chamionship grade and exciting to spectators because of the skilled and fast riding. This book tells of Tillie Anderson and other women wh rode fast to earn money, and the spectators packed themselves into stadiums to view the spectacle. This book tells a story that I knew little about and I loved it. A very good read.

What an amazing historical context on the sheer popularity of women's cycling had as sports like baseball and football were still in their infancy.

Wow! This is an amazing story.

An exciting discovery for sports fans, equality advocates, and history enthusiasts.And yes, the indoor 48 degree Detroit Velodrome is thriving.