“The Bicyclers” is a one-act farce lampooning the rage for bicycles that swept Europe and America in the 1890s. Although it was certainly a Golden Age for bicycling, many people considered it a fad, and an obnoxious one at that. Bicycles were dirty, dangerous, and exhausting, and bicyclists rode too fast, startled horses, and acted as if they ruled the road, or so claimed critics. Cycling attire was also a point of some contention, especially for women, who often wore controversial “bloomers” to facilitate riding. As this passage suggests, men’s cycling fashion, if less controversial, was no less entertaining.
Bradley: When did you go into short trousers?
Perkins (with a feeble laugh, glancing at his clothes). Oh, these–ha, ha! I’m taking up the bicycle. Even if it weren’t for the exhilaration of riding, it’s a luxury to wear these clothes. Old flannel shirt, old coat, old pair of trousers shortened to the knee, and golf stockings. I’ve had these golf stockings two years, and never had a chance to wear ‘em till now.
Thanks to jgodsey for the link.
Image: Indiana University Lilly Library.
