The Wheel World

The Wheel World front cover
đź“– Harry Etherington, London, UK
đź“… Monthly
📆 1880-05-01 to 1883-04-01
đź’° 3d. per issue
đź’ł 4s. Od. per annum annual
✏️ H. Sturmey, C. W. Nairn
📚 24 issues

The Wheel World is an illustrated monthly magazine focused on cycling, primarily serving the British audience. It features race reports from events like the Amateur Championship Races in London, technical reviews of bicycle innovations, and club news from cities such as Coventry and Birmingham. The magazine also includes humorous cartoons, articles on cycling culture, and profiles of prominent cyclists. Distinctively, it aims to elevate the discourse around cycling, appealing to both serious enthusiasts and casual riders, making it a comprehensive resource for the cycling community in the late 19th century.


79 Issues

Vol 1
Vol 2
Vol 3
Vol 4
Vol 5
Vol 6
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The Wheel World, Vol 1, No 1 (1880-05-01)
Launch of The Wheel World (May 1880): celebrates cycling's rapid growth, touring clubs, health and costume, London publication, E. York as South African correspondent, plus humour 'British Bumpkin'.
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The Wheel World, Vol 1, No 2 (1880-06-01)
June 1880 editorial endorses abolishing the 'Mechanic, Artisan or Labourer' clause (Bicycle Union 1878 precedent; Amateur Athletic Association follows), raising amateur cycling standards; discusses prize-giving and Union programme.
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The Wheel World, Vol 1, No 3 (1880-07-01)
July 1880 issue debates Bicycle Union versus the Amateur Athletic Association, definitions of amateurism, Temple Club meeting, bicycle instructors' professionalism, and notable clubs absent from anti-Union conclave.
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The Wheel World, Vol 1, No 4 (1880-08-01)
Debate over B.U. danger-boards' utility; Druids cycling club joins Bicycle Union after amateur-definition accord with AAA; Bicycle Touring Club annual meeting at Harrogate (Aug 2) and council criticism.
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The Wheel World, Vol 1, No 5 (1880-09-01)
Report on Bicycle Touring Club annual meeting (Harrogate, Aug 2, 1880) — chaotic rule adoption (Clauses 7, 17, 40), North/South dispute; accidents to H.A. Venables, T.C. Berington, editor Lacy Hillier.
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The Wheel World, Vol 1, No 6 (1880-10-01)
Discussion of amateurism: A.A.A.'s Rule X, mixed amateur–professional bicycle races, Swimming Association's mixed contests, and a Bournemouth-proposed touring club challenge to the B.T.C.'s Southern representation.
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The Wheel World, Vol 2, No 7 (1880-11-01)
November 1880: reports on restrictive bye‑laws and assault on cyclist William Davis, Bicycle Union toll‑gate legal action, Bicycle Touring Club governance reforms, B.U. finances, and Wheel World Christmas notice.
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The Wheel World, Vol 2, No 8 (1880-12-01)
December 1880 issue attacks B.T.C. Council dominance, urges postal ballots and central meetings after Harrogate; reports 'Bogus Championship' 50-mile win by C.E. Liles (3h11m47s); F. Moore fell.
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The Wheel World, Vol 2, No 9 (1881-01-01)
Editorial urging cooperation between the Bicycle Union and Bicycle Touring Club; defends B.U.'s rights work, praises B.T.C.'s touring benefits; mentions danger boards, reporting secretary, Anderton's meeting, subscriptions.
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The Wheel World, Vol 2, No 10 (1881-02-01)
Feb 1881 issue outlines Bicycle Union’s Provincial Centres scheme (six districts) with local secretaries, danger-boards, bye‑laws oversight and race supervision; defends Union and criticises ex‑B.T.C. President Cotterell.
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The Wheel World, Vol 2, No 11 (1881-03-01)
Reports on the Stanley Bicycle Club's Holborn Town Hall exhibition (Feb 22–24), growth of tricycle trade, origins with J. R. Airey, and Canonbury B.C.'s campaign against club drinking socials.
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The Wheel World, Vol 2, No 12 (1888-03-01)
Report on B.T.C. Birmingham meeting: Metropolitan 'malcontents' prevailed; rules changed (erased 'annual'), subscription set at 2s.6d, Welford to issue Circular privately after a >ÂŁ50 deficit.