Fiction on Wheels 1882-1885

Book excerpt: This volume of the Sports She Wrote series showcases a collection of fictional works by pioneering women authors who creatively incorporated the rising popularity of cycling into their narratives between 1882 and 1885 (118,000 words). While the stories do not offer substantial technical insights into cycling, they intricately weave tricycles and bicycles into tales of exploration, self-discovery, and personal freedom. A notable contributor is M. H. Catherwood, renowned for her romantic historical novels. Her serialized story, Castle Trundle, was published in The Wheelman from November 1883 to January 1884.The same publication featured two stories by Minna Caroline Smith, who wrote under the pseudonym "Minimum": I Wait for My Story (November 1882) and A Flying Dutchman (serialized from December 1882 to May 1883). A New Ixion; or, The Man on the Wheel, was published in March 1883, written by Belle Campbell, featuring a thrilling chase scene between a bicycle and a horse to earn a woman’s affections. The centerpiece of this anthology is the 1884 novel Wheels and Whims, co-authored by Florine Thayer McCray and Esther Louise Smith. It follows four young women on a tricycle tour along the Connecticut River, delving into themes of sisterhood, romance, women's rights, and societal norms. The text is accompanied by several illustrations. These captivating stories not only reflect the Victorian-era fascination with cycling but also serve as a testament to the ingenuity of women authors, offering readers a glimpse into a bygone era when wheeling was more than just a means of transportation—it was a muse for transformative storytelling. Sports She Wrote is a 31-volume time-capsule of primary documents written by more than 500 women in the 19th century, including nine volumes on cycling.