The Omaha Pedalers Bicycle Club is pleased to announce the book signing and presentation of The Lost Cyclist by David V. Herlihy at The Bookworm, 8702 Pacific Street, on Wednesday, September 22nd at 6:00 p.m. This is the epic tale of American adventurer, Frank Lenz, and his mysterious disappearance.
In the late 1880s, Frank Lenz of Pittsburgh, a renowned high-wheel racer and long-distance tourist, dreamed of cycling around the world. He finally got his chance by recasting himself as a champion of the downsized “safety-bicycle” with inflatable tires, the forerunner of the modern road bike that was about to become wildly popular. In the spring of 1892 he quit his accounting job and gamely set out west to cover twenty thousand miles over three continents as a correspondent for Outing magazine.
Two years later, after having survived countless near disasters and unimaginable hardships, he approached Europe for the final leg. He never made it. His mysterious disappearance in eastern Turkey sparked an international outcry and compelled Outing to send William Sachtleben, another larger-than-life cyclist, on Lenz’s trail. Bringing to light a wealth of information, Herlihy’s gripping narrative captures the soaring joys and constant dangers accompanying the bicycle adventurer in the days before paved roads and automobiles. This untold story culminates with Sachtleben’s heroic effort to bring Lenz’s accused murderers to justice, even as troubled Turkey teetered on the edge of collapse.
Two years later, after having survived countless near disasters and unimaginable hardships, he approached Europe for the final leg. He never made it. His mysterious disappearance in eastern Turkey sparked an international outcry and compelled Outing to send William Sachtleben, another larger-than-life cyclist, on Lenz’s trail. Bringing to light a wealth of information, Herlihy’s gripping narrative captures the soaring joys and constant dangers accompanying the bicycle adventurer in the days before paved roads and automobiles. This untold story culminates with Sachtleben’s heroic effort to bring Lenz’s accused murderers to justice, even as troubled Turkey teetered on the edge of collapse.
About the Author
David V. Herlihy is the author of Bicycle: The History (Yale University Press), winner of the 2004 Award for Excellence in the History of Science. A leading authority in his field, he has been interviewed by numerous television, radio, and newspaper outlets in the U.S. and abroad, and his work has appeared in a wide variety of general interest and specialty magazines.
For more information, please email Pete Lieben (peterlieben AT cox DOT net) or Mark Siepker (tram_man AT cox DOT net).
For more information, please email Pete Lieben (peterlieben AT cox DOT net) or Mark Siepker (tram_man AT cox DOT net).
1 comment:
I attended the book signing. It was fascinating to learn that there was a short period of time in American history when bicyclists captured the attention and imagination of Americans. If you have a love of cycling and adventure, you should read this book.
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