Dora Rinehart
Encyclopedia
Dora Rinehart of Colorado
, gained a reputation as "America's Greatest Cyclienne" for her long-distance riding in the mid 1890's.
Rinehart took up cycling
in 1894, even though society at that time discouraged female riders. In 1896 she famously rode more than 100 100-mile rides
. She commented that "I do not like to go on a hard run when my husband is with me, for you know it does take so much starch out of a man to ride the century."
In June 1894 she addressed the 24th Annual Convention of the Colorado State Medical Society
in Denver. On the agenda were presentations titled, "The New Movement in Dress Reform" and "Bicycle Exercise for Women." She is quoted as saying: "Just to give you an idea of the benefits of a divided skirt, it is almost impossible for a lady to ride any distance…with the ordinary skirt. You get too much of the dress on the one side of the wheel, and you do not get enough of the dress on the other side."
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, gained a reputation as "America's Greatest Cyclienne" for her long-distance riding in the mid 1890's.
Rinehart took up cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
in 1894, even though society at that time discouraged female riders. In 1896 she famously rode more than 100 100-mile rides
Century ride
A century ride is a bicycle ride of 100 miles or more within 12 hours, usually as a cycling club-sponsored event. Many cycling clubs sponsor an annual century ride as both a social event for cyclists and as a fund-raiser for the club’s other activities...
. She commented that "I do not like to go on a hard run when my husband is with me, for you know it does take so much starch out of a man to ride the century."
In June 1894 she addressed the 24th Annual Convention of the Colorado State Medical Society
Colorado Medical Society
The Colorado Medical Society is the largest group of organized physicians in Colorado.This nonprofit organization is composed of physicians, residents and medical students. It was founded in 1871 to promote the art and science of medicine and to improve public health...
in Denver. On the agenda were presentations titled, "The New Movement in Dress Reform" and "Bicycle Exercise for Women." She is quoted as saying: "Just to give you an idea of the benefits of a divided skirt, it is almost impossible for a lady to ride any distance…with the ordinary skirt. You get too much of the dress on the one side of the wheel, and you do not get enough of the dress on the other side."