Capital Bicycle Club

Capital Bicycle Club

Formation	January 31, 1879
Dissolved	c. 1914
Type	Cycling club
Headquarters	LeDroit Building, Washington, D.C., United States
Location	Washington, D.C.

The Capital Bicycle Club was an early American cycling club based in Washington, D.C. Interest in cycling spread across the United States in the late 1870s, following the increased importation and marketing of Ordinary-style bicycles. On January 31, 1879, a group of seven cycling enthusiasts founded the club. Despite initial complaints and suspicion from Washington residents, it became a popular recreational club among the city's white upper-class, and the city became known as a "bicycler's paradise" due to its wide, smoothly-paved streets. The club held large numbers of rides across the city and surrounding rural areas, alongside social events at its clubhouse. It also organized annual races and various forms of competitions or "trick-riding" events. Women's participation within the club increased over time, especially strengthened by the spread of the equal-wheeled safety bicycle. The club disbanded in 1914 after 35 years of operation.