Becoming Diavolo - Conn Baker aka Diavolo and Circus & Bicycle History

Description: The history of bicycle racing, for both men and women, is a fascinating account of the early development of transportation. In Becoming Diavolo, the author examines this history through the life of an extraordinary cyclist from the Golden Age of the bicycle. Conn Baker was a Renaissance man, an elite racer who successfully competed against the top cyclists of his day. After several years as one of America’s finest competitive cyclists, he left the racing scene to pursue an even greater passion; landscape painting. After the unexpected death of his beloved brother, he wrote that he needed a hazardous adventure to take him out of his depression. A circus advertisement seeking someone to perform a dangerous bicycle stunt called Looping the Loop turned out to be the perilous venture he was looking for. After proficiently performing the stunt in America in 1903 and 1904, he traveled the world for three years as the daredevil “Diavolo.” He hobnobbed with native rulers in Africa, India, and the South Sea Islands and made a small fortune performing his act. He was billed as the highest-paid circus performer in the world. Before returning home, he studied painting in the art schools of Paris and married the love of his life. Although his name and fame are virtually forgotten today, this previously untold story blends bicycle history and the high adventure of a bold individual who several times reinvented himself and, in so doing, lived a very accomplished life. This is a brand new, hardcover book with dust-jacket, 240 pages with almost 200 historic bicycle photographs. Published date is 2024. This is a limited-edition book and only 500 copies have been made. Each copy is individually signed and number by the author. Shipping to USA addresses only. Free shipping.

Price: 39.95 USD

Location: Saxtons River, Vermont

End Time: 2024-11-12T22:45:40.000Z

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