Montreal Bicycle Club Scrapbook
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THE BICYCLE TOURNAMENT
THE 100-MILE RACE The bicycle tournament at the Crystal Rink was closed on Saturday night by the 100 mile race, in which Professor Rollinson, Mlle. Armaindo and T.W. Eck of Toronto took part. The race was very well contested between the first two competitors, Eck dropping out after 41 miles. Both the remaining competitors met with accidents after Eck had retired. Rollinson ran into a man who attempted to cross the track, and received a severe fall, which incapacitated him from making any fast time. Mlle. Armaindo fell through the careless of her attendant who, in endeavoring to remove a coat she had put on after the rest of twenty-five minutes which she took in the middle of the race, threw over the handlebars of the bicycle. She was not hurt however, and resumed the race, finishing one mile and seven laps ahead of the champion. The race of 95 miles was accomplished in 7 hours , 55 minutes, 25 seconds, including 25 minutes stop, being the fastest time on record for a lady bicyclist. The machine ridden by Mlle. Armaindo was of American make, that ridden by Rollinson being an English Premier, D.E.F. owned by one of the Montreal Bicycle Club. |
The Montreal Gazette, 17 April 1882, pg 8
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Louis Armaindo (1883) & her manager Tom Eck (1884), both photographs are from "Muscle on Wheels : Louise Armaindo and the High-Wheel Racers of the Nineteenth-Century America" by M Ann Hall
The High-Wheel Bicycle era in North America was widely thought to be an exclusively male domain. Muscle on Wheels tells the story of women's high wheel racing in North America in the 1880's and early 1890's. Louise Armaindo, of French-Canadian descent was born near Montreal. She became a well known athlete, first as a circus performer, then in 6 day walking competitions and finally as a professional high wheel cyclist. At this point in time, she raced with her manager Tom Eck , and "Burlesque Rider " Frank Rollinson who was well known for his trick routine "The Dude Learning to Ride". Although Eck was from Ontario, and Rollinson from Derbyshire England, they all met and were based in Chicago. This event in Montreal was part of their North American tour.
Website on Muscle on Wheels: Louise Armaindo and the High-Wheel Racers of Nineteenth-Century America
www.canadashistory.ca/explore/books/racing-against-the-best
Tom Eck later wrote a pamphlet called "Points for Training for Wheelmen". It can be viewed here.
https://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15370coll2/id/9147
Website on Muscle on Wheels: Louise Armaindo and the High-Wheel Racers of Nineteenth-Century America
www.canadashistory.ca/explore/books/racing-against-the-best
Tom Eck later wrote a pamphlet called "Points for Training for Wheelmen". It can be viewed here.
https://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15370coll2/id/9147
Crystal Palace, 1866, at original location on Victoria Street.
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Interior of the Crystal Palace in 1879 (relocated to Fletcher's Field, now Jeanne-Mance Park)
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