The Chicago Tribune had an interesting Flashback article about bicycling in Chicago around the turn of the century.  I got introduced to "The Scorchers" (reckless cyclists zooming through the city streets), Major Taylor (an African-American bike racer)  and Lucy Porter (a bloomer wearing female cyclist).

Check out the article.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-05-03/news/ct-bicycle-craze...