March 28, 2024

Woman crosses US on highwheeler

Carolyn Carter, 68, will be the first woman to cross the United States on a highwheeler. A highwheeler is one of those old fashioned bikes with the huge front wheel and tiny back wheel. The reason I say “will be the first woman,” is because Carolyn Carter and her husband, Steve, are only halfway across the United States. I spied them riding by our house on U.S. Highway 34, conspicuously tall and odd looking on their highwheelers. I jumped in the truck, chased them down like a madman and got their very interesting, highly unusual story.

The Carters, from Texas, had started the day in Ottumwa and would be spending the night in a motel in Mt. Pleasant. They are following the original route established by Thomas Stevens in 1884, who rode his 50-inch Colombia highwheeler from San Francisco to Boston, a trek of 3,200 miles. It took him 107 days, following the railroad right-of-way. The Carters belong to a club called the The Wheelmen. Many of its members have duplicated the course. In fact, Steve Carter, now age 72, made the Guinness Book of World Records for the fastest crossing on a highweeler. Riding 100 miles a day, Steve accomplished this feat in 1992 in 33 days, with Carolyn driving the support vehicle.

It’s Carolyn’s turn now. Steve is driving support. Through research, they have determined that a woman has never attempted the crossing on a highwheeler. Carolyn may be the next one in the Guinness Book of World Records.

They started their adventure on May 29, with Carolyn dipping the tiny rear wheel of the highwheeler in San Francisco Bay. They want to complete the crossing by Aug. 1, dipping the huge front wheel into Boston Harbor. That would be 63 days.

Highwheeler bikes are also known as “originals,” “The Wheel,” and “penny-farthings” — an English term equating the large English penny with the front wheel, and the smaller farthing with the back wheel. Also, people often think the highwheeler bikes are replicas, because they are so shiny. The highwheelers shine because they are nickle plated. The spokes have been replaced, along with the seat, and the solid rubber on the wheels. Other than that, they are original.

Carolyn’s bike is an 1888 Victor, with a 46-inch front wheel. Steve’s is an 1889 Colombia, with a 53-inch wheel. The reason the front wheel is so large is because the wheel is the main gear of the bike. A smaller-wheeled bike can climb hills better, but when you go down hill, because the pedals never stop turning, your feet spin faster than on a larger-wheel bike. At about 22 mph, the rider has to remove his or her feet from the pedals and let the feet hang.

On a typical day, both Carolyn and Steve try to leave the motel by 6 a.m. Steve rides along with Carolyn for 10 to 15 miles, then rides back to the motel, checks out and catches up to Carolyn with the truck. He replenishes her supplies, then drives ahead, parks, and rides back. Carolyn, wearing a water pack on her back, eats six small meals a day and averages 60 miles, finishing each day in the afternoon. Her objective is to enjoy the ride. She is a retired realtor and school bus driver. Steve is a retired fire fighter. Both of them, in addition to bike riding, have been long-distance runners. About the only fast food they eat is a Subway sandwich or a Frosty from Wendy’s.

They both declare without hesitation that, "Anybody can ride across America if they want to. It just depends on how quickly they're going to do it." You can find Carolyn on Facebook at Carolyn Crosscountryride. The Wheelmen's website is, www.thewheelmen.org.

I have no doubt that Carolyn will be dipping the front wheel of her highwheeler in Boston Harbor by Aug. 1.

Contact Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526

or curtswarm@yahoo.com