Around the World on a Bicycle

'Around the World on a Bicycle' is a legendary travel narrative detailing the first global circumnavigation by bicycle. Written by Thomas Stevens, this gripping account follows his extraordinary journey beginning in 1884, as he set out from San Francisco with little more than a pocket revolver and a 50-inch Columbia high-wheeler. Through vivid prose, Stevens chronicles his passage across the United States, Europe, and Asia, offering readers a unique 19th-century perspective on diverse cultures and landscapes. From the rugged trails of the American West to the bustling streets of Constantinople and the remote regions of Persia and China, the narrative captures the challenges of navigating a world before paved highways and modern infrastructure. This work stands as a testament to human endurance and curiosity, documenting a time when the bicycle was a revolutionary mode of transport. As a foundational piece of travel literature, 'Around the World on a Bicycle' remains an essential read for cycling enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone fascinated by the golden age of adventure. Stevens’s observations provide a fascinating window into the social and political climate of the late 1800s, making it a timeless classic of the genre.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.