Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-01-02
Bicycle Fans Took Their Sport
Mixed With Much Hard Labor

touring for q sewing machine COM
pany, arrived In Livingston after cycl-
ing from New York TO San Diego, Calf.
by the southern route, then up the
coast to Portland, Ore, before turning
east for his return journey. He eSti-
mated his round trip would be 1000
miles or more.
In August, 1895, many Helena cyci-
lists took advantage Of special rail rates
to Yellowstone park, shipping their
wheels as baggage TO old Cinnabar
then the terminus Of the Northern Pa
cific Yellowstone park branch. and
cycling from there through the park.
In advance publicity for one Of these
trips, it was stated the Yellowstone
Park transportation Co. would be
asked TO provide wagons for baggage
and for wheels which might meet
trouble beyond the possibility of re-
pair enroute. It was slyly suggested In
the story: 1T Is possible there win be
occasional members Of the party who
will be glad 10 make use Of the wagons
on some OF the long hills"
ALI who wheeled through the park in
those days we're enthusiastic over their
outing.
Military Takes 70 Wheels
In August, 1895, Montana papers
gave publicity TO military party from
For Missoula, sent TO test the practical
billy Of bicycles in the mountain coun-
try. Eight men Of the bicycle corps Of
the 25th u. s. Infantry went on the
expedition, commanded by Lieutenant
Moss The trip from Fort MisSoula to
Fort Harrison to Fort Yellowstone, re-
turn to Harrison, thence to Fort AS
sinniboine, return to Harrison and
home to Missoula, distance OF about
1000 miles, was TO take 20 TO 30 days.
The greatest disadvantage found on
the trip was the frequency Of tire pune
lures, causing delays on the road for
repairs. On the trip Lieutenant Moss
was testing a new type Of tire, COM
posed Of rubber, steel and felt, nine Of
the tires being provided by the manu-
facturer for the trial.
In September, 1896, the Livingston
Bicycle club held its first annual meet
ing and field day. The band turned
out, and q number Of Bozeman cyclists
came over the hill to participate. A
high wind handicapped the racers.
James Keown, w. e. Thompson and
old news story does not list the win
ners, but almost every bicycle owner in
town was at the meet.
Except for the occasional gentleman
of complete leisure, to whom time was
limitless and In whom there was no
streak of laziness, early cycling was
confined to local holiday sport. The
occasional marathon rider or trans
continental tourist was an object Of
envy TO the stay-at-homes.
Today, with excellent roads TO make
cycling q pleasure, the automobile with
its speed and comfort is a siren that
has iured potential wheelmen to
softer life. High speed and traffic con-
gestion would add new danger to
cycling, anyway. And the long distance
cyclist is so rare as to be distinctly
noticed.
Packed Wardrobe and Supplies
A few years ago a printer, rather !
near to being broke, and blind In one
eve but, withal. of rather dignified
bearing, stopped in Livingston for a
brief period of work. On his cycle he
carried his small wardrobe, tar
1aulin and his commissary At night |
he rode outside the city to the shelter