The First Motorcycle to cross the United States
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- George Wyman made the first transcontinental trip across the United States on any motor vehicle of any kind. He did so on a 1902 California Motorcycle that made roughly 1.5 horsepower. Through the desert and over mountains, pushing pulling and sometimes riding it, he made the 3800 mile trip in 50 days. This is the complete story.
If you'd like to read it from his own perspective check out the 5 part article written in the Motorcycle Magazine in 1903:
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This makes me wish there was a “slow road” across America where you could ride tractors, lawnmower and other slow vehicles across the country all through back roads at your own pace.
In Europe there is the "Trans Euro Trail" which is exactly that, all dirt roads across 35 countries to make the journey at another pace, this is aimed at motorcyclist but I'm sure you can find something similar in the US.
(UA-cam won't let me post a link but you can google it fairly easily)
@@Begmar01 Thanks, I'm looking up the UK section now.
It's many years away, but they are making a coast to coast bicycle only path. A pedal assist motorcycle like his would be allowed I think.
You could do the TAT.
Route 66 ?
I rode 650km in one day from zillertal in austria to dresden in germany in one day. On a 3.4hp moped. (60km/h top speed). Its super cool to crawl through the countryside but my back was done afterwards 😂 murrica is a whole lot wider than 650km.
I'm a Biker for over 60yrs, and heard about adventures like that, I befriended this old dude we called Uncel Charley he told me story's of traveling with his sister on the back of some Bike he called the Wheel from Chicago up to to Canada in the 20s, he described that story, later I found out he joined the Army at 38 years oldest enlisted, and ended up in Holland fighting the Germans, lived till the age of 95, I also ended up at his funeral it was such an honor to have known that man, here is to Uncel Charley,
George sure was on tough cookie! Also, amazing that a bicycle of that era stood up to such continuous pounding :O
Not really it was very lightweight steel frame thicker tubing than modern bicycles ever will have and I’ve seen bicycles motorized last for 3-4 years and that’s a shittty engine on those
A rutted out field and a fat rider will break frames on modern motorized bicycles.
Rest in peace, "Harley Schwinn". Lol
At this age bicycles would have been common for long distance travel. My great grandfather used to do a 1000km loop by bicycle shearing sheep in Australia. A horse was costly and needed to be fed and tended getting in the way of travel and work.
That's commitment, I have a small french 63cc "cyclomotor" from the 30's that's 2hp and I can't imagine how harduous a trip like this was back then
It must have been an amazing trip! I have a 1981 Jawa Babetta (similar to the 'cyclomotor' because it has pedals to start it) 49cc and 1.5hp but I love it. Small bikes are just more fun! It takes a specific type of person to love and appreciate them.
Ride safe Mon amis!
Yeah mine is a Motobécane Poney AG1 and it's basically a bicycle with a motor attached to it, I saved it from an old farm where it had been sitting outside for decades, vines and plants had grown inside and around it, it was like in a cocoon when I got it.
It's not worth much historically and even less monetarily but I think any piece of motor vehicule is better saved than crushed so it's in the slow process of a full restauration to take it back from the grave.
Bonne route et bon vent to you too !
@@Begmar01 That's a fantastic story and I agree, all machines that can be should be saved! Project motorcycles can be expensive or frustrating but the owner forms such a deep bond with the bike and starts to love it so much that we do anything to have it working and looking good. That's how I am with the Jawa, it's not very valuable but to me it's still very special. A machine you form a bond with makes every journey memorable! I hope you will cover many miles on the bike and have fun with it!
I looked it up and it's a beautiful little machine!
This era was such an amazing, almost magical, time in the history of motorcycles and internal combustion engines in general.
I'd love to know more about how he carried all the supplies necessary for this journey. He was able to carry spare parts, oil cans, food, AND a camera?
Yeah, I carry at least 50 lbs ! Lol
He rode it like a cyclists with nothing. He was a professional cyclists
As he passed through Toledo, Ohio where the Yale was built he likely got help and parts...
George and his great trip, and I mean that literally. Fun Fact: Back in the early 1900's the distance between a motorcycle and a sidecar was determined by horse and buggy and early automobiles with the ruts they left.
Fascinating account of a true pioneer. I was impressed that he used the existing railroad system. It provided a path, a sensible grade to climb, and maybe a passing train if rescue was needed.
auto drivers of that time did the same thing. It was common. Check out the story of "The Great Race".
This come up in my feed today and this was cool to watch. I remember watching a video on the two guys that first drove across the country in 1903 in a car. Also the first women to ride a bike with her mother in a sidecar was also a neat story.
I rode my '51 Harley Panhead from Maine to Kansas in December, when the temperatures were always below freezing and sometimes below zero, and thought I was a tough guy.
I didn't do shit compared with this amazing dude. He should be on Mt. Rushmore, far as I'm concerned.
This type of engine used gravity fed drip lubrication from the "oil cup". Basically this is like a fuel tank but for lubrication.
I just did it on a CT110 this summer. these kinds of people and stories were definitely my inspiration. Covered 10,000 miles in two and a half months at 45mph.
It was enduring but it definitely wasnt hard. Anyone could do it
Very cool 😎 I will have to check it out.
I rode a motorized bicycle across America 🇺🇸 last year Florida to California and back. I posted it on my channel.
I checked your channel i didn't see anything ?
Severely under rated video
1.5bhp is same as a 1000w electric bike. One of the those, with its modern brakes, suspension, comfort, reliability etc - plus satnav- would be a really cool way of crossing Americs today
My e-scooter have 1200 W/110 Nm continued power. It is enough.
First electric bike was 1895 didn't work then and doesn't work now. Lithium batteries where developed in the 70's .
Amazing man for those times and the bike was tough to last as long as it did under those primitive road conditions. I can't imagine riding even a good modern Enduro on railroad tracks for more than a couple miles.
You don't believe that he actually rode the tracks do you. They built railroads with service roads not helicopters. Thanks for the comedy 🖐🤣
I rode a motorized bicycle across America last year Florida to California and back.
Where did he get gas in the middle of nowhere for days?
He was a professional cyclists he didn't need any gas .
Just an amazing trip! Thank you for sharing this little known American and Motorbike history!
You did George’s story good…by retelling the story from back in the day, if only we could have loved then.
Thx. It’ll be a long time before I complain of a repair now.
A fascinating story well told, well done.
amazing commitment by George, can can understand that everyone needed mechanical skills.
The vehicles also were simpler to maintain while also being more prone to breakdowns
the lack of infrastructure like roads and gas stations and mechanics no spares (GPS) and am sure maps were not too great
must have been guided by the locals
that is adventure
i personally feel this what i need to do instead of taking a fancy motorcycle and riding on goodnight highways staying the night in a starred motel and calling it adventure
would love to know more of this gentleman
I post motorized bicycle touring videos. I rode a motorized bicycle across America 🇺🇸 last year Florida to California and back. I posted it on my channel.
Headed out this weekend for some beach camping.
This story is amazing. I couldn’t fathom trying this trip. I wouldn’t do it now without a cell phone on my new bike.
in 1902 there was no interstate road system,,,just a wagon trail to the next town,,,he made one hell of a ride,,,
And remember, over rail tracks... He is my hero!
😁👍
Thanks for this very important video about Mr. Wyman and his epic motorcycle journey across the US. This is indeed a story of commitment, courage and persistence. It's really amazing that he was actually able to accomplish this feat.
You’ve probably heard about the US Buffalo Soldiers who rode from Montana to St Louis in the summer of 1897 on 50 pound one speed bicycles, 22 men took 41 days , they carried all of their provisions, most of the trip was without real roads because they didn’t exist yet. There’s a couple of books and a newspaper reporter went along , all good reading. I hadn’t heard about this guy, looking forward to learning more about his trip. I learned something new today, thank you for posting this!
I guess you've done the math already. Turns out a 26 year old professional cyclists mostly peddled . You also mean paved roads . All railroads where built using service roads not helicopters. The Vietnamese fought and died on single speed bicycles 💪
I actually rode a motorized bicycle across America 🇺🇸 last year Florida to California and back. Posted it on my channel.
Rode from dfw to southwest florida at the start of this year, only had been riding a proper motorcycle for less than two weeks. My dad had died and I felt that the trip was simply something I had to do. I wasnt sure I could handle it, but I did it. it was 18 F when I left and didnt raise above freezing until well past the half way point. I had never been so cold in my life. I wasnt able to churn out as many miles as I had thought, only managing a 300ish a day, and the gas tank felt so small I was filling up every 60 or so miles, but at no point, was I worried about the bike.
Definitely a trip I'll remember, even if I was traveling through my least favourite part of america.
Just read Carl Stearns Clancy’s account of riding various parts of the wold in 1913. Look forward to reading George Wyman’s. Thank you!
I have done San Jose to Fairbanks, also San Jose to key west, so glad I did. I did suffer a bit but I now fell eclipsed by a george. Would have liked to have met him. Only TAT compares today to his trip.
You know a car did it the same year .🤔
So catchy!
Already past midnight, can’t stop watching it! Thank you ☺️
Very inspiring story. George's commitment, bravery and persistence are truly inspiring.
Greetings from England!
I loved every minute of this !
Thank you :)
Bart, More and more I really appreciate your videos, extremely well done. Thank you
EV bikes were at this point 15 years ago following motorcycle development of 1900. I met a BSA guy that rode with girlfriend from Oregon to Florida and back on a 21hp 250 BSA starfire! A oil cup is a drip system with glass container to check how much oil is left. Like a drip feed you adjust.
The glass is so you how fast the oil was dripping into the motor. You could reduce the drip rate on downhills, and increase it on climbs. Those early bikes had constant loss oil systems, what ever oil you put in was either burned or dripped out on the road.
Some motorcyclists would say that described British bikes until the 1970s!
The first electric bike was 1895 didn't work then and still doesn't work today. Sorry 😪
A true adventurer, who carried a revolver without a license at that. An amazing individual.
Thank you for making this! This is amazing. I had literally printed out his story two days ago and had also turned to UA-cam hoping to find a documentary about his story and was frankly AMAZED there wasn't anything here. On a whim I decided to check it again and I see this was made 17 hours ago!? How weird. Great stuff! Thanks for making it!
I read the story 16 yeaes ago .
I rode a motorized bicycle across America 🇺🇸 last year . 120 years later . I posted the trip on my channel. I went from Florida to California and back solo ,4500 miles in 40 days.
@@Jarrod_D that's awesome! I'll be sure to check out your video! I hope to one day do a similar thing.
Wow, great story! Guy was a decent writer, too.
Somebody may have commented this before, but an oil cup is a little sight glass that you fill with oil and so you can see when it is empty. Motorcycles of that era were total loss they lubricated and then the oil is vaporized with the fuel or dripped out onto the ground as you rode. So it was important to have them constantly refilled. Often there would be multiple one you might say have an oil cup that located the bearing on your front wheel another one for your piston and another one for your back wheel. And they might have some kind of little valve to adjust the rate at which the oil dripped. Or possibly you would put in a piece of cork or felt that would slow down the rate of drip and it's the thing you would constantly be trying to fine tune. Basically anytime you stopped or filled up he would want to top off all your oil and see if the consumption rate was appropriate.
I love the pics of him in his 3 piece wool suit and tie! He probably rode like that most of the time too. Back then for a man if you weren't wearing a vest, jacket, tie, and hat even in the summer heat, you weren't dressed. Comfort was not an option. He probably stunk like a mule too.
Cheers Great video all the best from UK
Another fabulous video - keep it up as always enjoyable and educational
I've been marathoning your vids while painting! good quality and great work man! look forward to seeing more of your work!
Gr8 video Bart!! Really like videos about early motor cycles as we have almost come a full circle - who would have thought that in 2022 e bikes would take off and ultra light electric bikes like the Surron, Talaria and Segway. Those old petrol bikes still beat e bikes hands down when it comes to range. And of course the old bikes had no weight so easy to push in emergencies.
First motorcycle was coal powered.
Could go pretty fast and 30miles+ per coal charge.
Imagine if u could fuel your ride forever with finding some coal, water, and a few drips of oil
The first electric bicycle was 1895 nothing has changed they didn't work then and they don't work now .
I rode a motorized bicycle across America 🇺🇸 last year Florida to California and back. Posted it on my channel.
DAMN, that was entertaining! I’m glad I subscribed! BRING ‘EM ON. I’ll be waiting!
ur channel deserves more attention
10 years ago I built a motorized bicycle and rode it 60 miles in One direction turned around and wrote 60 miles back and I thought wow I wonder if anybody's done this!?
Thanks for the story 😁👍
I rode a motorized bicycle across America 🇺🇸 last year Florida to California and back. Posted it on my channel.
Damn what a good story. More of this!
Terrific story. Thanks for making video. This summer I met an older gentlemen from New Milford, CT this summer. He had a 1916 Harley that he brought to a Sunday morning meeting place in Danbury, CT, that typically has about a hundred or so riders there. No front brake. Lights... OMG. He said he'd done 2 canonball runs with it. Not sure when he did them. I wish I got his contact info. We need to preserve these bits of history.
Adventure riding at its best
I really enjoyed this documentary, thank you.
I've done some seriously crazy stuff on bicycle & motorcycle. Surprisingly I'm still here. Spiked tires & chains frankly shouldn't even be a motorcycle topic, much less all the clothing needed to survive the trip. Snow blind in daytime & tunnel vision at night. Crashing up & over the drift with bike on top & 30 minutes so deep still not being able to get free... all alone & a long way from home. There's something to be said for either you're gonna make it happen or you're gonna be dead... very few MAKE it happen... the rest just happen to make it.
4:08 US federal route 2. "The Highline" Great ride
What probably didn’t help at all was the thousand miles to that next gas station.
Thanks for the great video 👍
After 120 years I rode a motorized bicycle across America 🇺🇸 last year Florida to California and back., 4500 miles in 40 days .
I used my own build so simple a cave man could do it. Works on any bicycle with a seat post. If fixing a flat is fixing your bike then that's what my build is like. I call it a predator Friction drive.
I posted the trip on my channel if you want to check it out.
These history vids are great. Maybe cover the Suzuki Cold War story.
Oh wow great idea. I'm looking into it
I love this. Indonesia 🙏
I LOVE your story videos. Not so much the lists 😂 but I love the stories
A true pioneer.
thanks
Definitely going to read the story now go read the journey of the vinn fizz,that was a Wright flyer that flew across the country
If you want to see that today watch itchy boots
If you want to see it today you can check out my trip . I rode a motorized bicycle across America last year Florida to California and back. I posted it on my channel 💯
An amazing feat.
Dude had grit ,
I'm wondering if it would have been easier on a bicycle minus the engine. From what you said in the video the tank and engine were just dead weight half of the time.
One of the original iron butt riders. Heck most who rode LD back then.
Excellent video and narration. What's the song at the end?
I read this story in Cycle World several years ago. The man definitely had an abundance of testicular fortitude.
I'm guessing the glass was a container that held oil that dripped total loss lubrication to the engine or some other part of the bike.
So, Bart, you hail originally from Ohio and Hawaii. Which state do you now call home?
I enjoy the channel, thank you.
I did this on a 35 hp enduro motorcycle. And then I turned around and rode back.
Bike lubrication system was Drip oil feed/total loss lubrication? It include glass to see oil dripping.
Walked the snow sheds about 50 miles per day ?
Yeah right. I'm not saying what he did wasn't an amazing feat, but I do suggest you check your facts on that one.
A trained athlete can only walk between 25 and 30 miles per day, averaging 3.5 miles per hour for eight hours, and that's in good conditions and that's not pushing a bike.
Fifty miles per day would mean walking 16 hours per day .
Even riding the bike at an average of 7 miles per hour, considering road conditions and whether, he would still only cover around 56 miles in 8 hours.
Why would he only be using a 3rd of each day to travel from one side of the country to the other in an age before modern tech? I can imagine a 'trained athlete' from modern times is simply comparable to a healthy 25 year old man from back then. The idea of what is considered 'strenuous' is very different now, which is likely where your idea of 8 hours being a respectable graft to come from
Pretty clear that something isn't right here. Would seriously doubt if that's true
Great comment 👍 he was a 26 year old professional cyclists. He did the trip in little better time than it takes to peddle it . Most of his story is counter factual. Over the railroad ties is the best one .
I rode a motorized bicycle across America 🇺🇸 last year Florida to California and back. I posted the trip on my channel
My Ebike has about 1.3 horsepower. I could not imagine taking it across the entire country.
How can I reach you to discuss this incredible person's life. Working on a major DocuDrama.
Two bad his tires where not wider. A fat tired bike would have been easier. I live in Wyoming :)
New things start on the east and west coast. Like Monkeypox for example.
The fact that a horse has more power than this bike makes me admire this brave man. Btw a horse has 15 horsepower.
The truth is, making a trip like that on such a vehicle would have been much EASIER back then than it is now. Today you wouldn't get very far before being killed by an idiot in a car going near 100 mph. Back then that would not have been an issue. I have often dreamed about crossing the country on a moped or small scooter with a top speed of maybe 30 mph, which would be 100 times more reliable than motorcycles were back then. It really can't be done. Our entire country has become a huge race track, and it is no longer possible to ride or drive a slow moving vehicle anywhere but a school zone or residential area, and idiots in cars are now speeding in those areas too.
How wrong you are 💯%
I rode a motorized bicycle across America 🇺🇸 last year Florida to California and back.
I wiped the floor with old Gorge.
I posted the trip on my channel with video.
I rode every kind of rode there is highways ,freeways, interstates , dirt roads , back roads , bike trails, sidewalks, levy's,dikes ,dams, cosways , bridges, and single track .
The guy riding the motorbike in the film clip is in Australia Gettin Overtaken by Australian police car..
my grandfather sold INDIAN MOTOCYCLES in the early years in chicago.
"Something will happen on the coast and then the Midwest will get it like a year later". Try 10 years later. Growing up in So Cal in the 60s-70s I remember going to visit my cousins in Minnesota and Mississippi. We had hippie long hair and they had '50s buzz cuts. Then in the '80s we'd show up with rockabilly buzz cuts and they had hippie long hair. Nowadays we laugh about it because we all have no hair.
i have crossed my country from north to south with my shitty 1.4 hp babetta 207 in just 6 hours
I rode across the United States last year Florida to California and back on a predator Friction drive.
I posted the trip on my channel
Pretty sure this is how our grandparents got to school
I mean a 1.5hp engine on a 40-50 lbs bike bout same as a 100cc on a 300lb frame
17:29 100% of mechanics felt you
Can you du a Video of the full Historie of MZ
16:20 I don't think technology was advanced enough in those days to telegraph a crank to Chicago.
Bold of you to assume he knows what telegraph means
When I see a post by bart I click on it. I've yet to be disapointed.
With gas costing what it does, the only way I may be able to leave my home in western Washington, and visit my internet girlfriend (not a catfish...I think) in Miami, is to ride my 1964 Honda Trail 90 (curiously, called a CT 200 when new)! Which is currently at a friend's house...in Indio, CA. And not running. Still beats a Greyhound bus though 🤣
I rode a motorized bicycle across America last year Florida to California and back. I use my own build so simple a cave man could do it. I posted the trip on my channel.
So he didn't actually cross the country ON a motorcycle. He crossed the country WITH a motorcycle. 😂🤣
when you go way up where the air is thin you run a lean jet
0:12
Well, your first problem with this super bike chopper is that you’re riding on the wrong side of the road in your quest to cross the United States! 😁
From what I understand of history, you are correct. The US & most of the world rode on the right side from about 1800 due to the Napoleon era setting that standard. Back in 1902, in remote America, I'm not sure how much it would have mattered however as the only other traveler you'd have encountered would have been on horseback.
Whats the name of this bike ?
What a story! This is exactly the kind of idiotic thing I'd want to try.
I know same! As I read it I was thinking "yeah I need to do this" lol
I rode a motorized bicycle across America 🇺🇸 last year Florida to California and back. It was an epic journey. First one posted in 120 years.
I use my own build so simple a cave man could do it. If working on your bike is fixing a flat tire then that's what my build is like. I posted the trip on my channel
@@Jarrod_D. Awesome. I hope the major channels will highlight your exploits. Well done.
Psh. Ive ridden across America 3 times on a bicycle. Also up and down both coasts. Get on my level.
I checked your channel there is nothing there like it never happened sorry 🖐😪
I rode a motorized bicycle across America 🇺🇸 last year Florida to California and back. I posted it on my channel so it is real . I most be next level 💯
That is an outstanding defeat and well done. Did you document the trips. I can imagine quite a few have also done that bicycle trip.
Organ to iowa are you from iowa me too
Did you see the spacing of those ties?Oh his poor kidneys!
Where’s the bike?