Annie Londonderry: Fearless World Cyclist – An Audio Bedtime Story

🎧 Audio Story of Annie Londonderry ✨

Adventurous Trailblazers: My Journey Around the World on Two Wheels

🚲 A Wild Imagination and a Big Dream

Hello there! My name is Annie Londonderry, and I once did something very few people—especially women—ever thought of doing in my time. I rode a bicycle around the entire world. Yep, that’s right! Just me, my bike, and a dream that started when I was just a little girl.

I was born in 1870 in Latvia, but when I was very young, my family moved to the United States to start a new life. We settled in Boston, Massachusetts. We didn’t have a lot. We lived in a small house, and I had to help take care of my younger siblings. Life was tough, but I’ve always believed that big dreams can fit inside small lives.

As a child, I loved stories about explorers and travelers. I used to stare at our map of the world and wonder, “What’s out there? Could a girl like me ever see it all?”

🧢 Breaking the Rules of My Time

As I grew older, I realized something: back then, women weren’t supposed to do certain things. We were expected to stay home, wear long skirts, cook, clean, and not ask too many questions. But I had many questions, and even more dreams. I didn’t want to be told what I could or couldn’t do just because I was a girl.

When I was in my twenties, there was a lot of talk about what women were “capable” of. Some even believed women were too weak to ride bicycles!

Guess what? I decided to prove the world wrong.

Here’s the wild part: two rich men made a $20,000 bet that no woman could bicycle around the world. That’s when I knew—this was my moment. It wasn’t just about the money or even the fame. It was about proving that women are just as strong, smart, and brave as anyone else.

🚴‍♀️ Off I Go with Just a Bike and a Dream

In June of 1894, I kissed my husband and three kids goodbye in Boston and climbed onto my bike. I wore a skirt at first, but it kept getting caught in the wheels, so I switched to bloomers. People stared, some even laughed. But I didn’t care. I had a job to do.

I pedaled through cities and towns all across America—from Boston to New York, then across to Chicago and San Francisco. Sometimes the weather was rough. Sometimes my bike broke down. And I didn’t even know how to fix it when I first started! But I asked questions, learned as I went, and kept moving forward.

Do you know what helped me the most? Curiosity. I wanted to see more, meet new people, and hear stories from every corner of the world.

✈️ Across Oceans and Continents

Of course, I couldn’t pedal across oceans. So I took steamships between continents, always with my bike by my side. I rode through Europe—France, Spain, and Italy. I traveled through Egypt and even into parts of Asia.

In each country, I talked to people, gave speeches, and sometimes even sold photos of myself to earn money. I became a bit of a celebrity along the way. Newspapers from all over the world started writing about me, the woman traveling the globe on a bicycle.

But it wasn’t always easy.

There were times I was lonely. I missed my family. I got sick once in India and didn’t think I’d be able to finish. People would say mean things or question why a woman was traveling alone.

But I kept thinking, “If I stop now, what kind of example do I set for girls like me?”

🌍 One Giant Wheel Turn for Womankind

After 15 months, I returned to Boston in September 1895, my head held high and my story ready to share. I did it—I became the first woman to bicycle around the world!

The funny thing is, I wasn’t even that great a cyclist when I started. But I learned quickly. This adventure wasn’t just about cycling—it was about breaking barriers and proving that women are strong, curious, and capable of anything.

Many have called me brave, bold, or even a little strange. But I like to think of myself as a trailblazer—someone who took the road less traveled and made it a little smoother for the next person.

🗺️ What Can You Dream Up?

Now you’re probably asking: Why does Annie’s story matter today?

Because sometimes the world tells us we can’t do something. Maybe you’ve heard people say:

• “You’re too small.”
• “Girls don’t do that.”
• “No one from around here has ever done that before.”

Those words may ring in your ears, but don’t let them stop you. Ask yourself, “What if I tried anyway?”

You never know what you’ll discover—not just about the world, but about yourself.

📚 Want to Learn More?

My story is one of many from the past that can inspire the future. If you liked hearing from me, you might also enjoy the stories of other Heroes of History who pushed boundaries. Or explore some more Inspiring Innovators who came up with big ideas in small places.

Want to dive deeper into real facts about my journey? Visit Britannica Kids to discover more about how I rode into history.

So what would you do if you had no limits?

What’s your bicycle around the world?

Think big. Pedal far.

And wherever your dreams take you, remember: adventure has no dress code—and no limits.