Apparently ’tis the season for Spokeswoman Productions, who just received a gear starter kit from the League of American Bicyclists, located here in Washington, D.C. We greatly appreciate the support of LAB. This organization has been around for quite a while. In fact, it’s been in existence since even before Annie took her ’round the world tour.
The League was founded as the League of American Wheelmen in 1880. Bicyclists, known then as “wheelmen”, were challenged by rutted roads of gravel and dirt and faced antagonism from horsemen, wagon drivers, and pedestrians.

In an effort to improve riding conditions so they might better enjoy their newly discovered sport, more than 100,000 cyclists from across the United States joined the League to advocate for paved roads. The success of the League in its first advocacy efforts ultimately led to our national highway system. (from the LAB site, learn more about it’s history.)
The wheelmen of the 1890s played a crucial role in Annie’s ride. They escorted her in and out of towns across America, her routes were almost solely dependent on their maps, and they hosted fundraisers and gave her safe lodging.
LAW/LAB- Thank you so much for your generosity today and in 1895!!!

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