"Barkers of Branford"--Part I--1890's Bicycle Craze

The following is an excerpt from the book. It is available for $30 at the Blackstone Library in Branford. Details at www.BarkersOfBranford.com

The skills of a circus performer were needed to mount and ride the “high wheeler” bike of the mid-19thcentury. The invention of the “safety bicycle” launched The Golden Age of Bicycling in the 1890’s. It looked much like the bicycle looks today including the efficient chain drive and the elimination of the large front wheel. Mass production made it affordable for the average man. The Eagle Bicycle Manuf. Co. in Torrington, CT (1880-1900) made 20-30,000 bikes per year (see photo). Llewellyn climbed on board during this Golden Age of Bicycles.

“I bought a bicycle from Sandy Wood $65. It is a high grade $135 machine” 10/19/1892

The bicycle was not just for fun. It was a serious means of transportation. It was cheaper than owning and feeding a horse! Llewellyn used it to get to work in all seasons. Rutted, muddy or snowy roads were no barrier. He often rode into New Haven, or up to North Guilford or Durham, just to visit family or buy butter at a farm.

“I got up at 5 oclock & road to North Guiford to take Ma Thompson’s hat up to her. Got home about ½ past 9.” 5/21/1893

This was his longest trip

“I started about 8 oclock and went up through North Guilford Durham Middletown to Glastonbury to see J.H. Hale about his Georgia peach orchard Had a pleasant visit and got home just after dark road my cycle Dell had the cow milked” 9/9/1893

Imagine, all this on dirt roads. How did he cross the CT River?

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Ted Braun's book “The Barkers of Branford: Life in America Through a Local Lens” is available for $30 at the Blackstone Library in Branford. Details at www.BarkersOfBranford.com