The Wenonah Historical Society recently purchased this medal --- thanks to Scott Conway. The medal was awarded to the winner of the slow bicycle race during the July 4th festivities in 1897!

http://wenonahhistoricalsociety.org/1897-4th-program

Some people wonder what a slow bicycle race might be.

Here's a description of a slow race that took place in Newburyport, MA in 2013 -- A few days later, the third annual Slow Bike Race was getting under way in Newburyport, a coastal town 40 miles north of Boston. A block was cordoned off, with six lanes drawn in chalk. Before World War II, slow bike races were popular at fairs, particularly in England and Europe, and they are enjoying a resurgence, Mr. Colville-Andersen said.

There were 35 entrants, several riding old beaters.

"I don't believe we've ever had any spandex in our slow bike race, but we do have a peanut," said organizer Cyd Raschke, eyeing a contestant dressed in a nut costume.

Even in the world of take-it-easy biking, the competition can get fierce. Participant Gail Fayre, the 51-year-old chief medical officer at a local hospital, had deflated her tires to slow her down. The night before the race, she ran through the course and "tried to go as slow as I could."

The course stretched 75 feet. Racers, who went three at a time, were allowed to weave side to side but couldn't go out of their lane or touch a foot on the ground. Spectators lined the brick sidewalks, sounding confused. "Go Manfred!" they yelled to a man who was ahead of the pack."Wait—don't go!"

Afterward, marketing manager Lisa Markowski, wearing a Team Sloth shirt, analyzed her loss. "I should have braked more," she said.

Watch a video of a slow bike race.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB9lf9BqgmQ