Bicycles and bicycle racing were immensely popular at the turn of the 20th century. A velodrome (bicycle racing arena) was constructed near the current site of Olympia High School, and races were held weekly. In this photo from around 1900, the contenders race by in a blur while spectators, many bearing umbrellas, fill the stands.
W.A. Van Epps photo, about 1900, State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society, catalog C1950.3.41
Text © Deborah Ross and The Olympian 2020