Bay City Wheelmen

I live in San Francisco and enjoy riding around the bay area. In fact, I would argue it's one of the best places for cycling in the world. This region is a confluence of interesting roads, a moderate climate, and a large talent pool of great cyclists. In the early 1900's a group of racing cyclists from San Francisco posed for this photo, in snazzy (colorful) woolen uniforms. The cross on the chest was their mark, and they were called the Bay City Wheelmen. (check out Joel Metz page) Back in the 1890s to 1910, having a "wheel" meant a bicycle, usually a high wheeler, which were diminishing in popularity by the time of this picture, replaced by the "saftey" or modern diamond frame bicycle. Automobiles were still for the elite, and bicycles dazzled crowds speeding around the velodrome. How much has changed and yet how little has changed. Will San Francisco ever get a velodrome again? Fixed gear bikes are more popular than ever, but the streets can be dangerous, even for the seasoned rider.

This club team is lead by captain Frank Bolo, (center) and features Hugo Newsome (far right), perhaps a distant cousin of our mayor, Gavin Newsom. If you are interested there is a excellent book on the subject called The Six-Day Bicycle Races, by Peter Nye.