For this reading response post I’ll be giving my thoughts on When Bikehood Was In Flower by Irving A. Leonard.
This short story is an insight into what a solo biking journey was like at the tail end of the 19th century. Biking a great distance alone has been and still is a feat of great endurance and courage, and Leonard’s depiction of Margaret Valentine Le Long is an interesting example which shows how the concept of a solo bicycle journey has not changed much over time. Despite obvious advantages such as refined bicycle designs, major highways and cell phone service, completing the same feat as Valentine Le Long today would require much of the same dedication to a goal and reluctance to give up. It is interesting to consider how a number variation of the solo biking mission today are in the name of fundraising for a organization or group rather than for personal affirmation. An example of a solo biking expedition today is the youtuber from Malia’s last presentation who took a solo expedition to advocate for being vegan and fundraise for a pro-vegan organization. I think that the reason why solo biking expeditions have become a popular mode for fundraising because it shows the true stature of the feat; biking alone is dangerous and challenging. These solo expeditions today are prove how much more impressive Valintine Le Long’s feat was in in 1896.