As the spring weather improves, many of us will head outside to enjoy rides on our bicycles. Whether a short ride around the neighborhood, a cruise along the greenway, or a longer road ride, cycling is an excellent way to get some exercise and appreciate the natural landscape. Muncie has a long tradition of cycling beginning with the high wheelers and continuing today with the greenway, races and organized rides, and as part of larger sporting events like the Muncie triathlon. Here is a look at the early popularity of cycling in Muncie.

In 1891, The Muncie Daily Times reported that “The cycle has come to stay.” The article goes on to list those who have recently acquired bicycles and reports on some of the popular routes that are enjoyed by enthusiasts. It also notes that cycling was becoming more popular among women due to the ease and safety this method of transportation offered.

An announcement in the Muncie Morning News in 1892 indicated that a ride was being organized to Hagerstown as well as rides to various locations within Delaware County. Interestingly, the article also states that Muncie had more bicycles than almost any other city of its size in the Midwest region!

As interest in cycling grew, the Muncie Daily Herald devote an entire page to “Cycling News” in March of 1896. In addition to advertisements for local dealers, the page provided information on the latest local cycling news, what models prominent citizens were riding, and announced the organization of a club by Ed Hudson and Les Wachtell. The Wachtell store was one of the leading bicycle dealers in Muncie offering both sales and rentals.

In 1896 the National Wheelman’s Club showed their political support for McKinley and Hobart by producing a campaign button depicting the two candidates superimposed over a bicycle wheel. In Muncie there was a McKinley and Hobart Wheelman’s Club which met for group rides to support political events like rallies and parades. By September of that year the Muncie group had 133 members.

The Muncie Bicycle Club had fifteen members in 1897. In June, Muncie racer Albert Frazier announced that he would try to break the record for the ride from Muncie to New Castle which stood at one hour and fifteen minutes. He did not announce a date for attempting the ride and there seems to be no indication that he ever tried. He did compete in the Labor Day races at the fairgrounds winning third place in the quarter mile flying start but in the two mile handicap race he fell and did not finish that event.

The Muncie Morning News ran advertisements for the Muncie Cycle Company in 1898. Located at 308 South High Street just across from the high school, they sold brands such as Manson, Ball, Muncie, and Oriental. By July they already had the 1899 Ball model for sale. It featured “30 inch wheels, 4 inch drop to hanger” and was “strictly high grade all through”. They also had a few Ladies bicycles which they were selling “very cheap”. Repairs were the company’s specialty.

Evidently interest in cycling had waned for a few years because in 1904 a revival of the sport was creeping westward from the east coast as it became more recognized as a healthful method of exercise. Charles Kirk announced that a group of dealers and riders would hold a series of “cycle runs”, or organized rides, to towns in the area in the hopes of getting people interested in riding again.

Interest in cycling over the years has ebbed and flowed both as a recreational and professional sport. Even with the popularity of public transportation and individual vehicle ownership, bicycling has remained as one of the basic skills most of us learn as children. It is also widely recognized for its value as a low-impact physical therapy and method of exercise. Cycling is a great way to stay in shape, meet new people, enjoy nature, and feel that sense of satisfaction of distance covered under only your own power.

*L.L. Ball and daughter Helen in front of their house on the Boulevard*

Bicycling

Burst Tank at Ball Factory

Cartoons, Comics, and Even Some Animation