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History of Iowa bicycle craze fuels 1890s sports scene
The piece chronicles Iowa’s rise in wheelmen activity from the 1880s to the 1890s, noting the League of American Wheelmen’s growth, state leadership in riders, and the expansion of clubs and races. It highlights costs, road improvements, safety bikes, women’s participation, and major meets in Jefferson and Cedar Rapids with standout performances by Kostomlatsky and Barrels.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
League of American Wheelmen
Thomas Stevens
San Francisco
Boston
Europe
Iowa
Iowa City
Misissippi River
Oskaloosa
Sigourney
Des Moines
Jefferson
Centerville
Ottumwa
Cedar Rapids
Joseph Barrels
Sioux City
Storm of
Emil Kostomlatsky
Kostomlatsky