History of the Louisville Bicycle Club

Check out the cycling photos courtesy of the University of Louisville’s Photographic Archives.

Gil Morris and Bob Pluckebaum on the establishment of the “modern-day” Louisville Wheelmen, and the history of two annual rides the Wheelmen offers: The Old Kentucky Home Tour and the Leaf Festival Ride.

Tantalizing tidbits from old newspaper accounts of the heyday of bicycling--the late 19th century.

Thousands of commuters on a typical morning, according to a 1897 newspaper account--and without gridlock, helicopter traffic reports, and multiple-vehicle pile-ups!

Account of a 10,000-rider (that’s not a typo, it’s ten thousand) parade-carnival-ride and general mayhem.

The story of Wheelmen’s Benchundefinedlocated at Third St. and Southern Parkway (near Churchill Downs)--and its 100-years too-late dedication.

Close encounters with early automobiles and pedestrians and assorted road hazards awaited the early wheelmen (and wheelwomen).

Louisville Cycle Clubs (an article reprinted from The Courier-Journal, Sunday, August 9, 1896)

The comings and goings of Louisville’s bicycle clubs at the end of the 19th century.

A bike ride to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the big bike ride in 1897 and to rededicate the Ruff memorial. (See photos of the Centennial Ride.)

Joe Ward takes a look back, 100 years back, to the last time the League of American Wheelmen held the National Meet in Louisville.

Bicycling in Louisville (an excerpt from The Encyclopedia of Louisville)

Joe Ward’s contribution to The Encyclopedia of Louisville about the history of bicycling in Louisville.

A brief history of how the ride started and its early years.

Some of the changes and highlight from 1986 to 1992.