Product Description

In 1884, Thomas Stevens left San Francisco on a Columbia high-wheeler with the outrageous goal of becoming the first man to ride a bicycle across the United States. When he reached Boston, he decided to continue around the world, and soon sailed to London for the ride across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The high-wheeler was heavy and cumbersome, his supplies were limited to socks, a spare shirt, and a slicker that doubled as tent and bedroll, and much of the country he traversed was wild. Yet he persevered, recording his colourful and often harrowing adventures during the three-year odyssey in a classic of 19th century adventure and travel writing.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1036411 in Books
• Published on: 2001-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, 1.00 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 1072 pages

About the Author
Thomas Stevens

Customer Reviews

An incredible adventure
Thomas Stevens was a hero of the first degree. Through his writings within this wonderful book we live the life of a 19th Century traveller as he ventures around the world on his Penny Farthing. Starting in San Francisco in 1884 he started to circle the globe over treacherous roads while withstanding horrendous weather conditions with no sign of complaint from within the pages of his book. The style of writing takes you back to a period which seems long forgotten by most modern day authors, and gives you a real sense of being there with him on his machine. All cyclists should buy this book, and especially people who enjoy touring as it makes you realise how easy we have it today on our modern roads, using our modern equipment. Thomas Stevens is buried in North London, England and will be the first port of call on my own adventure. I will thank him for inspiring me through his book to set out on my own penny farthing world tour.