PEDAL PUSHER

The daring exploits of a bike-riding trailblazer.

Two Boston businessmen made a bet: No woman could cycle around the world. Annie Cohen Kopchovsky, a Latvian Jewish immigrant and married mother of three, accepted. Talk about nervy: Antisemitism was rife, and Annie had never ridden a bike. She received just two brief lessons before she set out on June 25, 1894. Before leaving, she accepted $100 from the Londonderry Lithia Spring Water Company and attached their advertising to her bike, thus (temporarily) becoming “Annie Londonderry, Daring Lady Bicyclist.” Following initial struggles, a New York bicycle company donated a lighter-weight bike, and Annie traded her skirt for bloomers. After sailing to France and cycling across the country, Annie sailed to Egypt. On her trip, she also traveled by train and ship and pedaled through Russia, India, Vietnam, and more. A steamship from Japan brought Annie to San Francisco, from whence she returned to Boston, arriving on schedule. She was greeted enthusiastically everywhere, signing photos and regaling audiences with exciting, probably heavily embellished lectures. What was genuine: Annie pedaled a tremendous distance—and changed perceptions about women’s accomplishments. Children will embrace this fast-paced tale about an indomitable adventurer. The colorful illustrations, some featuring international landmarks, capture Annie’s determination and present period details well.

Introduces a bold female risk taker who deserves much wider recognition.