The Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race by Mike Mizrahi

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The Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race (Redemption Press, April 2017)

Chattanooga society is turned upside down as a young woman has the audacity to ride a bicycle–in bloomers!

It’s 1895. Anna Gaines, 19, struggles to conquer her insecurities after a horrible fall years ago from her beloved horse, Longstreet. On a visit with her aunt in Brooklyn, she’s drawn to the new pastime of bicycling. But back at home, cycling is a scandalous sport for a proper lady. Southern women did not engage in activities meant for men.

Anna has her eye on Peter Sawyer, president of the Cycling Club. As community outrage grows, an unexpected turn of events pits Anna against Peter in a race between the sexes.

Will Anna prove that women deserve the same right as men to ride “the wheel?” Will she choose to live a quiet, traditional life of a housewife and mother? Or will she pursue college and become one of the “new women” emerging into the twentieth century on the seat of a bicycle? What will become of the spark between Anna and Peter?

Faith, patience, and courage help Anna to become the person she was meant to be.

My opinion: What a fun read! This book was well researched and very engaging. It was a reminder of what those woman had to do to pave the way for the freedoms we are enjoying today. I love the story line and how history was really brought to life in such a manner that was so enjoyable and interesting. You can tell a lot of thought and research was put into this book and it really shows! This book is a must read if you like historical fiction.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.