Campus Connection

[caption id="attachment_31576" align="alignright" width="350"] The book cover.[/caption]

Hear the story of Wisconsin's first bicycling boom

The early history of biking in La Crosse and throughout Wisconsin will be covered during a UW-La Crosse presentation. The authors of a new book, “Wheel Fever: How Wisconsin Became a Great Bicycling State,” will be in La Crosse Thursday, March 27, for a public talk, book signing and reception. The free event is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center. The talk will offer details about the area’s and Wisconsin’s early bicycle riding history, including: • A rider named D.S. McArthur, who rode a velocipede — a forerunner of today’s bicycles — in La Crosse in 1869. He likely displayed it at the Pomeroy Opera House, a probable early velocipede "rink". • The formation of early local bicycling clubs like the La Crosse Bicycle Club, first organized in 1884, which grew to around 400 members. • La Crosse business contributions to early bicycling, from the shops that sold bikes to the Hotel Young that served as an official League of American Wheelmen cycling rest stop. The event will include a La Crosse County Historical Society display of historical bicycles and biking costumes. Also, the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin will have a display with membership, advocacy and educational materials. “Wheel Fever,” from the Wisconsin Historical Society press, outlines the history of early bicycling in Wisconsin. From "boneshakers" to high-wheels and racing bikes to tricycles, the book by Jesse J. Gant and Nicholas J. Hoffman traces the story of Wisconsin's first "bicycling boom." The authors weave their way through bicycling history beginning with the velocipede craze of 1869 and pedaling through the "wheel fever" of the 1890s. The illustrated book features never-before-seen images of early bicycles and the people who rode them: bloomer girls, bicycle jockeys, young urbanites and unionized workers. "Wheel Fever" also details the often-impassioned debates over who should be allowed to ride, where they could ride, and even what they should wear. "Wheel Fever" is about the origins of bicycling and why those origins still matter, but it is also about Wisconsin's continuing fascination with all things bicycle. Meticulously researched through periodicals and newspapers, "Wheel Fever" portrays the unique origins of a much-beloved sport, which undeniably shaped contemporary bicycling culture. The event is sponsored by the university’s departments of History, Economics, Health Education and Health Promotion, and Exercise and Sport Science; the Office of Student Life; Murphy Library; the La Crosse County Historical Society; and the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. [caption id="attachment_31577" align="alignright" width="350"] Jesse J. Gant, left, and Nicholas J. Hoffman, authors of a new book “Wheel Fever: How Wisconsin Became a Great Bicycling State,” will be at UW-La Crosse for a presentation Thursday, March 27.[/caption] About the authors • Jesse J. Gant is a doctoral candidate in history at UW–Madison, with research interests in 19th century U.S. history. A native of Janesville, he has written for the History News Network, the Indiana Magazine of History, and the Wisconsin Magazine of History. Gant is a committed cyclist who divides his time between Madison and St. Louis. • Nicholas J. Hoffman is curator at the History Museum at the Castle in Appleton and has written articles for the Wisconsin Magazine of History. His lifelong interest in Midwest history led to a master's in history from UW–Milwaukee. The native of Hillsboro is an avid cyclist who enjoys exploring the state's landscape on two wheels. How to order "Wheel Fever: How Wisconsin Became a Great Bicycling State" — Paperback: $24.95 256 pages, 190 color and b&w photos ISBN: 978-0-87020-613-9 Call toll free at 888-999-1669 or shop at www.wisconsinhistory.org/shop If you go— What: Author’s talk on “Wheel Fever: How Wisconsin Became a Great Bicycling State” Who: Jesse J. Gant and Nicholas J. Hoffman When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27 Where: Cleary Alumni & Friends Center Admission: Free admission; free parking in the Cleary Center lot. A reception, book sale and book signing will follow the presentation.