Columbia bicycle, faster than a horse (1880)

1172 miles in 6 days is a feat! Impressive on a modern bicycle on modern paved roads, let alone a penny farthing.

The G. Waller in the ad was George Waller, who achieved fame in the 1870’s and 80’s in endurance events, and would challenge “any man in the world” to races for sums of money. This photo is George in 1879, wearing a championship belt he won. He died in 1900 at 45 after being thrown from a horse drawn carriage near his home.