8.5 C
Niagara Falls
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Exploring Photos with the NOTL Museum: The Bicycle Gymkhana

As spring is slowly making its way here there are more and more cyclists on the roads. Today we feature the prize winners, c.1900, of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s own Bicycle Gymkhana. Cyclists from all parts of America came to Niagara to compete in this event. The first day usually featured a grand parade at the Queen’s Royal Hotel with decorated bicycles, followed by boys and girls racing. On the second day the real competitions began. There were many interesting races during the tournament. The Maiden’s Scurry was for girls under age 16 who needed to start, turn, go over an obstacle 18 inches high – over which the wheel had to be lifted – and finish. To win the Obstacle Race, one was required to start, ride 10 yards, dismount, lift the wheel over an obstacle, ride 30 yards, pick up a handkerchief without dismounting, ride 20 yards, go over a hurdle and finish. There was also the Tortoise Race where the winner was the last person to cover the 50-yard course without falling off his or her bicycle.

 

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