Tom Ewing
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ethomasewing.bsky.social
Tom Ewing
@ethomasewing.bsky.social
50 followers 53 following 8 posts
Professor of History, Virginia Tech. I research 1889 & 1918 influenza epidemics, teach history courses on Russia, medicine, & data in social context & direct Bike 76 VA public history project. More information: https://sites.google.com/vt.edu/etewing/home
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ethomasewing.bsky.social
Owl Drug in Los Angeles CA offers special #owl #bicycle delivery services for those in a hurry

International #owl awareness day

Los Angeles Times 3/22/1903
August 4, 2025 at 8:41 PM
ethomasewing.bsky.social
On International #Owl Awareness day, follow recommendation of this "wise old owl" to ride a 10 speed #bicycle
#bikesky

Learn more about cycling and 1970s from Bike 76 Va project: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/

Ad from Santa Cruz Sentinel 8/22/1974
August 4, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
55 years ago, teenagers recommended bike to work program with entire communities giving up cars for a week to reduce pollution
Suffolk News-Herald, VA 10/7/1970
#bikesky #biketowork #bikemonth
@bikeleague.bsky.social
www.virginiachronicle.com?a=d&d=SNH197...
1970s biking bike76-va.vt.domains/home/
May 16, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
New blog essay explores contributions of "mystery cyclist" to improving bicycling infrastructure in Washington DC in 1970s, using articles published by @washingtonpost.com
#bikesky #biketowork @waba.org @railstotrails.org @bikeleague.bsky.social
Bike 76 VA: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/blog-po...
headline mystery cyclist with text from newspaper article and drawing of man on bicycle
May 15, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
Perhaps you have forgotten what fun bicycling is-the sense of novel equilibrium-mastery of distance, rhythm of motion-reserve power. You are not merely a mere passenger, you do it yourself #bikesky @waba.org
Eve Star DC 5/9/1905 chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045...
bike76-va.vt.domains/home/
Newspaper ad with cyclist and text
May 9, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
Have you ever thought what a Bicycle can mean to you? Riding for pleasure, healthful exercise, save time & money riding to work. Bike 76 VA project: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/
#bikesky #bikemonth @bikeleague.bsky.social #arizona
Newspaper Ariz Rep 5/1/1920
chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84020...
Drawing of woman riding a bicycle
May 8, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
New blog essay for Bike 76 VA project explores recognition of bicycle month (2025) and bicycle week (1918) with common themes of health, fun, exploration, and transportation
#bikesky #bicyclemonth @bikeleague.bsky.social
News Leader Richmond VA May 6, 1918
bike76-va.vt.domains/home/blog-po...
Newspaper article with text and image of cyclists
May 2, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
Chessie Trail in Lexington VA runs parallel to Route 76, providing #bikesky cyclists with rails to trails alternative. Learn more about route 76 from presentation hosted by Rockbridge Historical Society on May 4: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/
@railstotrails.org

lexingtonvirginia.com/outdoors/act...
Poster for Bikecentennial in Rockbridge presentation Map showing Route 76 and Chessie Trail
April 29, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
Photo: red bicycle & blue sky along Blue Ridge Parkway near Montebello VA #bikesky. Learn about 500+ years of history along Transamerican Bicycle Route at May 4 presentation sponsored by Rockbridge Historical Society & @va250.bsky.social committee linked from project: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/
Red bicyle stone wall blue sky
April 28, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
50 years ago, Eddy Merckx wins 1975 Liege-Bastogne-Liege #LBL with sprint in final 100 m to claim 5th victory. Hey #bikesky! Learn more about connections between cycling in 1970s and history from Bike 76 VA project: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/
Two men on bicycles
April 27, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
150 years ago, cyclist John "Happy Jack" Keen beat horse Black Bess in 8 mile race: Keen trailed first 2 miles, went ahead in mile 3, and finished race alone after owner withdrew Black Bess #bikesky
Virginia Herald 2/15/1875 virginiachronicle.com
Bike 76 VA: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/
Man standing next to bicycle Newspaper text
April 27, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
New essay for Bike 76 VA blog explores connections between Virginia Creeper Trail and Transamerica Route 76 in southwest Virginia following devastating impact of Hurricane Helene in Sept 2024: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/blog-po...
@railstotrails.org #CelebrateTrailsDay #railtrails
Map showing Virginia Creeper Trail and Route 76 near Damascus VA
April 25, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
Hey #bikesky! Commemorate Paul Revere's ride warning of an impending British attack on April 18, 1775 by riding 12.5 miles (20 km) along Route 76. Learn about connections between cycling and US250: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/
@paulreverehouse.bsky.social @va250.bsky.social
Corbin Coaster Brake 1890s
Man on bicycle holding lamp
April 18, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
250 years ago, Gunpowder incident brought potential for rebellion to Williamsburg at same time as first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord. View Gunpowder Magazine along #bikesky Route 76 and learn US history from Bike 76 VA project: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/blog-po...
@va250.bsky.social
Map of roads in Williamsburg VA
April 17, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
50 years ago, Don Boyd reached Pulaski in southwest Virginia on #bikesky trip across United States. In 1976, thousands made a similar trip during Bikecentennial, echoing Boyd's enjoyment of quiet moments along the way. Learn more from bike76-va.vt.domains/home/
Southwest Times April 6, 1975
April 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
Happy Monday #bikesky! #Bicycles brought about easier communication. Yet, the people who delivered these messages were often children working extremely late hours. The boy in this photo is only ten years old. #history #laborrights
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"Danville Messenger," Lewis Hine, 1911, Library of Congress.
A young boy sits on a bicycle, resting on a curb by the sidewalk. He wears the uniform of the Danville Messengers of Virginia.
April 14, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
50 years ago, American newspapers reported outcome of #parisroubaix & plans for 1976 Bikecentennial route. Learn more about cycling, 1970s, and American history from Bike 76 VA 30 podcast episodes and weekly blogs: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/
#bikesky
Ludington Daily 4/14/75; Effingham Daily 4/19/75
Photograph of two people holding a sign and text about plans for a cross county bike route Text of article about Paris Roubaix bicycle race
April 12, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
100 years ago Belgian cyclist Félix Sellier won 1925 #parisroubaix Paris Roubaix race in 9 h 16 m. 50 years ago Belgian cyclist Roger de Vlaeminck won 1975 #parisroubaix race in 6 h 52 m. Learn more about cycling history over the decades from Bike 76 VA project: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/
#bikesky
Cyclist standing next to bicycle Two cyclists riding with crowd cheering
April 11, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
New essay on Bike 76 VA blog explores 50 years since President Ford's proclamation of Earth Day in 1975 -- and long term connections to cycling and environmental awareness along Route 76 in Virginia
bike76-va.vt.domains/home/blog-po...

#bikesky #earthday
Men and women riding bicycles in Denver Colorado Text of President Ford's signed proclamation of Earth Day 1975
April 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
50 years ago, Elton John's Philadelphia Freedom on top of US charts in April 1975. Learn more about freedom, the 1970s, and cycling from the Bike 76 VA project: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/

Photo
The Trellis Philly: www.thetrellisphilly.com
3 cyclists on a path, all smiliing
April 10, 2025 at 12:47 AM
ethomasewing.bsky.social
50 years ago, Elton John's Philadelphia Freedom on top of US charts in April 1975. Learn more about freedom, the 1970s, and cycling from the Bike 76 VA project: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/

Photo @templeuniversity.bsky.social & The Trelllis Philly: www.thetrellisphilly.com
3 people riding bicycles, and smiling
April 10, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
50 years ago, World Champion Eddy Merckx wins 1975 Tour of Flanders / Ronde van Vlaanderen. Explore connections between 1970s cycling and the present through the Bike 76 VA project, including podcast episodes, weekly blogs, and more: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/

#bikesky #RVV25
Two cyclists race on cobblestones with crowd in background
April 6, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
Photograph from Amstel Gold race 50 years ago in spring 1975. Learn more about connections between 1970s cycling and Bicycle Route 76 in Virginia from the Bike 76 VA podcast, weekly blog, and other resources: bike76-va.vt.domains/home
#bikesky

Amstel Gold Race: www.amstel.nl/amstelgoldrace
Bicycle races on a road
April 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
Outdoor activities from spring 1897 included #bikesky cycling. Learn more about Virginia history and bicycling from Bike 76 VA project: bike76-va.vt.domains/home
@virginiatech.bsky.social @virginiatechnews.bsky.social

Richmond Times, April 4, 1897 chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85034...
Women riding on tandem bicycle, horses, horseless carriage, and more
April 1, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Reposted by Tom Ewing
bike76va.bsky.social
Bikecentennial route announced 50 years ago, from Astoria Oregon to Yorktown Virginia. To learn more about US history along Route 76 in Virginia, listen to podcasts, read weekly blogs, and check out more #bikesky resources: bike76-va.vt.domains/home/

Map: Idaho State Journal, March 28, 1975
Map of the US with route outlined from Oregon to Virginia
March 30, 2025 at 12:50 PM