Mark Twain and the Bicycle
 

I can't believe I have lived this long and never read this essay by Mark Twain.
Delightful!


http://www.bikereader.com/contributors/misc/taming.html

"Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live."

I don't know history well enough to know, but it sounds like he was riding a high-wheeler (penny-farthing type). Wonder if he was still around when the "safety bicycle" came around.

Probably not as much fun to write about!

Rick / OCRR

A 50 inch penny-farthing! I can't imagine learning to ride on one of those. More guts than I. He died in 1910, so he did see the modern bike.

Mark Twain also tried surfing when he was in Hawaii. Had less than stellar results. Read about it in "Roughing It"

From the description, it was definitely NOT a safety bike. Don't think I've even been so glad that they were invented as I was reading this. :) What a hoot.

Also sounds like we have a new suggestion for the dog threads, ride a penny farthing and you will take care of the little beasts. :lol:

that how i ride all the time. is coooool