Originally Posted by
MassiveD
My dad was from belfast and he toured with my mother in Ireland, he on a single speed, and she on a 3 speed. She had rear panniers. That would have been around 1955
In this short of the same time some are using 10 speeds already, but there are many 3 speeds also.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyz5d3entBw
Basically you won't have any problem so long as you aren't self-conscious about the possibility of being the only one walking when others are riding, or if you pick up some friends along the way, being unable to keep up.
Every time I see that video, I'm amazed at how supportive railroad used to be for cyclists. Constructing a special car just to hold multiple bicycles is incredible by todays standards. Imagine, a railroad that actually cators to bicycling groups. Railroads today would never do something like that in 2013.
Since that video was back in 1955, everyone must be over 80 years old today. I wonder if anyone is still alive.