The Wheels of Chance is an early comic novel by H. G. Wells about an August 1895 cycling holiday, somewhat in the style of Three Men in a Boat. In 1922 it was adapted into a silent film The Wheels of Chance directed by Harold M. Shaw.

Explore the role the bicycle played in the women's liberation movement.

On rails-to-trails bike paths, city streets, and winding country roads, the bicycle seems ubiquitous in the Badger State. Yet there’s a complex and fascinating history behind the popularity of biking in Wisconsin—one that until now has never been told. Meticulously researched through periodicals and newspapers, Wheel Fever traces the story of Wisconsin’s first “bicycling boom,” from the velocipede craze of 1869 through the “wheel fever” of the 1890s. It was during this crucial period that the sport Wisconsinites know and adore first took shape. From the start it has been defined by a rich and often impassioned debate over who should be allowed to ride, where they could ride, and even what they could wear. Many early riders embraced the bicycle as a solution to the age-old problem of how to get from here to there in the quickest and easiest way possible. Yet for every supporter of the “poor man’s horse,” there were others who wanted to keep the rights and privileges of riding to an elite set. Women, the working class, and people of color were often left behind as middle- and upper-class white men benefitted from the “masculine” sport and all-male clubs and racing events began to shape the scene. Even as bikes became more affordable and accessible, a culture defined by inequality helped create bicycling in its own image, and these limitations continue to haunt the sport today. Wheel Fever is about the origins of bicycling in Wisconsin and why those origins still matter, but it is also about our continuing fascination with all things bicycle. From “boneshakers” to high-wheels, standard models to racing bikes, tandems to tricycles, the book is lushly illustrated with never-before-seen images of early cycling, and the people who rode them: bloomer girls, bicycle jockeys, young urbanites, and unionized workers. Laying the foundations for a much-beloved recreation, Wheel Fever challenges us to imagine anew the democratic possibilities that animated cycling’s early debates.

The wheels on the bus go round and round on the way to the watering hole. But who's on the bus? A lion roars, flamingos flap, and a hyena laughs a big ha-ho-hee as they travel on the bus with their animal friends. Don't forget to watch out for the crocodile too, whose jaws go snap! Together, a simple trip becomes a raucous adventure that young readers can sing and move along with at any story hour, family reading time, or energy-filled morning. Jane Cabrera's Story Time celebrates children's best-loved read along nursery rhymes and songs. These interactive favorites are given a new twist by award-winning artist Jane Cabrera and feature her bold, bright, kid-friendly illustrations. Other titles in the series include Ten in the Bed, Old Mother Hubbard, and Old MacDonald Had a Farm.

The Wheels of Chance by H.G. Wells: In this delightful comedic novel, H.G. Wells takes readers on a humorous bicycle tour through the English countryside. The story follows the adventures of Mr. Hoopdriver, a draper's assistant who embarks on a cycling holiday to escape his mundane life. Along the way, he encounters a cast of eccentric characters and finds himself entangled in humorous and unexpected situations. "The Wheels of Chance" combines Wells' imaginative storytelling with social commentary, offering a lighthearted and entertaining read. Key Aspects of the Book "The Wheels of Chance": Comedic Adventure: The novel's humorous tone and the misadventures of the protagonist provide a delightful and entertaining reading experience. Social Satire: Wells cleverly incorporates social commentary and observations on the Edwardian era, presenting a light critique of societal norms and conventions. Escape and Freedom: "The Wheels of Chance" explores the theme of liberation and the desire for a carefree life through the lens of Mr. Hoopdriver's cycling holiday. H.G. Wells was an English writer and visionary, born in 1866. He is often referred to as the "father of science fiction" due to his pioneering works in the genre, including classics like "The War of the Worlds," "The Time Machine," and "The Invisible Man." Wells' novels explore a wide range of scientific and philosophical ideas, earning him lasting recognition as one of the most influential authors of speculative fiction. His literary legacy continues to inspire writers and readers alike.

Frances Willard (1839 –1898) was an American educator and women's rights activist.

The Wheels of Chance is an early comic novel about an August 1895 cycling holiday. The Wheels of Chance was written at the height of the cycling craze (1890-1905), when practical, comfortable bicycles first became widely and cheaply available and before the rise of the automobile. The advent of the bicycle stirred sudden and profound changes in the social life of England. Even the working class could travel substantial distances, quickly and cheaply, and the very idea of travelling for pleasure became a possibility for thousands of people for the first time. This new freedom affected many. It began to weaken the rigid English class structure and it gave an especially powerful boost to the existing movement toward female emancipation. Wells explored these social changes in his story.

**SHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2023** 'Full of delightful anecdotes and interviews and fascinating historical tales' Mail on Sunday A panoramic portrait of the wonderous vehicle whose passenger is also its engine. A toy, a tool, a liberator, or complete nuisance: the bicycle has been many things to many people over the decades, yet it endures as the most popular form of transport in the world. How has such a simple machine achieved so much? Combining history, travelogue and memoir, Jody Rosen reshapes our understanding of this ubiquitous vehicle from its invention in 1817 to its present-day renaissance as a 'green machine'. Readers meet unforgettable characters: women's suffragists who steered bikes to the barricades in the 1890s, a Bhutanese king who races mountain bikes in the Himalayas, astronauts who ride a floating bicycle in zero gravity. By examining the bicycle's past and peering into its future, Two Wheels Good forms a joyful ode to an engineering marvel of global importance. 'Funny, precise, surprising' Adam Gopnik 'Love for two-wheeled transport runs through every sentence' Economist 'Wry, rich, deeply researched' Patrick Radden Keefe