Lady Cyclists

A two-wheeled convoy of Victorian gentlewomen in a charming early film enigma.

There's more than a little mystery to this charming film. It's been attributed to pioneer filmmaker James Williamson, on the basis that he lists a 'Military Ride' by lady cyclists in one of his early catalogues. It's hard to account for the word 'military', but it is an unusually good film for the year, taken from a vantage point in a large park and capturing the riders in all their elegance.

Even the date is uncertain - Lady Cyclists has been dated to 1899, but 'Military Ride' actually appeared in Williamson's 1898 catalogue. Is the date wrong, or the title, or both? For now, at least, the truth is elusive.