Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone on this list. I have a question about the content of an old photo. Would any of you be able to help explain just why the difference in the two bicycles in this photo? We believe the man to be the owner of a "bicycle and typewriter" store in LeMars, IA. Unfortunately no name or dates were written on the Plymouth County photo. The likely rider in the photo is Mr. C.L. VonBerg, circa 1897 LeMars, IA. Here is a link to the photo. http://www.iagenweb.org/plymouth/Bicycle.html The man is riding one bicycle and holding onto the other as he sits on his bike. These I believe were referred to as the Big Wheel. If you notice closely, the wheels on the two bicycles are reversed. What is the significance of that? Does anyone know? A google search brought up this explanation and a photo showing a modern day specialized bicycle.."Supposedly the reverse High Wheeler is safer because the rider wouldn't go head first over the big wheel, he'd probably just fly backwards." I appreciate any input or help-interesting photo, isn't it!! Wouldn't our grandkids love to have one of these for Christmas! My best to all, Linda Ziemann 718 Santa Cruz Dr. Keller, TX 76248 IA GenWeb Plymouth, Monona, Sioux County Coordinator http://iagenweb.org/ Iowa Old Press IAGenWeb Special Project Co-Coordinator <http://www.iowaoldpress.com/index.html> http://www.iowaoldpress.com/index.html "A Look Back at the Lives and Times of Our Ancestors" N.D. GenWeb, Mercer Co. Coordinator (My hubby's home county) http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ndmercer/

Linda, My husband, an avid bicyclist, said that indeed the reason for reversing the wheels on the "penny farthing" or big wheel, was to prevent the rider from going head first over the wheel. These bikes did not have brakes so were not very easy to ride. My husband has ridden one with the large wheel in front, in a parade no less. Grace in Mankato MN You wrote: I have a question about the content of an old photo. Would any of you be able to help explain just why the difference in the two bicycles in this photo? We believe the man to be the owner of a "bicycle and typewriter" store in LeMars, IA. Unfortunately no name or dates were written on the Plymouth County photo. The likely rider in the photo is Mr. C.L. VonBerg, circa 1897 LeMars, IA. Here is a link to the photo. The man is riding one bicycle and holding onto the other as he sits on his bike. These I believe were referred to as the Big Wheel. If you notice closely, the wheels on the two bicycles are reversed. What is the significance of that? Does anyone know? A google search brought up this explanation and a photo showing a modern day specialized bicycle.."Supposedly the reverse High Wheeler is safer because the rider wouldn't go head first over the big wheel, he'd probably just fly backwards."