Racing in a self-created aerodynamic outfit (hence the needle reference in the title), Anderson both scandalized and thrilled 1890s America as she shattered records for speed and endurance, leaving competitors and conventional wisdom in the dust. Reaching back more than a century, Stauffacher and McMenemy resurrect the story of pioneering woman cyclist Tillie Anderson–and make Lance Armstrong feel like yesterday’s news. Tillie the Terrible Swede: How One Woman, a Sewing Needle, and a Bicycle Changed History Here’s a review of it from Publishers Weekly: See more women racers here, Pictures of Women Cyclists of the 1890s. See more at Tillie the Terrible Swede: Cyclist Tillie Anderson inspired a generation of women to ride when she raced in the early 1900s. After winning an 18-hour race, she won prize money and a new nickname-Tillie the Terrible Swede.” In 1896, she broke the 100-mile record, riding in 6 hours and 57 minutes. Tillie entered a few races and quickly became one of the fastest female riders on the racing circuit. Even women competed in these grueling races, which lasted for hours or even days. She trained every day, riding longer and longer until she built up her strength.īicycle racing was a huge spectator sport in the 1890s, drawing thousands in cities all across America. There she saw men and women riding bicycles and wanted one of her own.ĭespite reproaches from her mother and family friends, Tillie pursued cycling with the seriousness of a world-class athlete.

Tillie was 14 when she settled in Chicago and found work as a seamstress.

“She caught “bicycle fever” after coming to this country from Sweden in 1889 and rode her way to a world championship just a few years later.

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