Traveling from Portland to New York by Bicycle - c. 1912

Two young men pose with their bikes in front of the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, as they set off on a cross-county trip to New York City. Bicycles were very popular in 1912, but were being overtaken by motorcycles in the public imagination. But then, as well as now, the lure of riding a bike across the country was an intriguing fantasy for many. Roads in 1912 were haphazard and intermittent, and cross-county travelers often spent a good percentage of their time walking. A similar journey taken in 1909 by two young men traveling the Pacific Coast by bicycle was retold by Evelyn McDaniel Gibb in her book, "Two Wheels North". -- This photo is restored and printed by Old Oregon.