Lewiston's
Bicycling Club in the 1890's
by Steve Largent
from January, 2000 issue Twin Rivers Cyclists
Want more? The
rest of the Story. This in pdf.
Do you remember
when the club was "originally" organized?
Do you know who first rode a bicycle from Lewiston
to Spokane or Moscow? Here's evidence you don't unless
you're hiding your age well.
During bicycling's
first big boom over one-hundred years ago our predecessor
cyclists organized here in Lewiston. Before the original
Lewiston Grade was built (in 1917) they were riding
the very steep Uniontown Grade to Moscow and even
Spokane.
Mountain
bikers, can you ride that old Uniontown grade, or
even find it? How about 10 ½ hours to Spokane
on the roads and bicycles of 1896? Think Lewiston
and Clarkston with one properly marked bicycle lane
between them aren't especially friendly to bicycles
today? How about ordinances outlawing bicycles on
both sidewalks and streets?
Unfortunately,
we don't have the records from the club, but the Nezperce
County Historical Society had a couple of newspaper
clippings which gave us this information, and they
supplied this photo which they believe is from 1896
and which they've copied from the original held by
Lewis-Clark State College. If you recognize this photo,
any of its subjects, or know where it was taken (Asotin
Creek is a possibility) please give the Historical
Society a call.
Anyone want
to ride a one speed balloon-tired bike on the club's
next ride to Waha?
ORIGINAL
CAPTION: The sport of the day was bicycle riding
and most people had one even though bicycles were
expensive at $100.00 to $125.00. A bicycle club was
organized. The 50 members enjoyed short local trips
for picnics. Some heartier riders often ventured to
Lake Waha, a 22-mile, four-hour ride (and push). The
trip back was more fun and took only one and one-half
hours.
The
Lewiston Morning Tribune in their historic edition
of 31 Oct 1999 stated this photo was taken at Asotin
Creek in 1902, but that date doesn't agree with Nezperce
Historical Society estimates, and the historical society
is unsure of the place the photo was taken.
Editor's
Note: The current club was founded in 1987. You may
read out Bylaws.
The orginal board
members are listed as signatories.
Want
more? The rest of the Story.
This in pdf.
