According to the terms of the “wager,” Annie not only had to cycle around the world in less than fifteen months; she also had to raise $5,000 enroute. She was not allowed to accept anything gratuitously along the way. Here are some of the ways that this marketing maven claims to have raised the necessary capital to win the wager, and the accompanying prize money. In 1894-1895, Annie….

• Rented ad space all over her body
• Acquired “Londonderry” as her name
• Handed out leaflets for Lorenzy- Palance, a French perfume company
• Handed out leaflets for Alpes- Bernoises
• Sold candy
• Lectured to large audiences
• Sold autographs, photographs, silk handkerchiefs, and brownie pins
• Told stories [and many tall tales] for cash
• Put her bike on display on store to be admired by the curious public
• Sampled milk and gave it a certificate of excellence
• Wore a company’s boots and testified to their durability
• Had planned on appearing on a play in Saigon, but the stage was riddled with nails. Instead she appeared with her bike, a French flag, and gave a little speech.
• Was honored by wheelmen groups and other cycling groups honored her with fundraising parties
• Gave “sensible wheel talks” in bicycle shops

Anyone want to put Spokeswoman Productions to the test? Go ahead, make us a wager we can’t refuse.

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