Annie Londonderry

In 1894, Annie climbed on a bike Told the doubters to take a hike Planned to cycle cross the planet, found sponsors, took a gun Though she died 50 years after, her legend had begun. How much is embellished, it's hard to say, She used steamships to bridge gaps along the way. But thousands of miles she rode alone, While today's rebels seldom leave their phone. She was an unlikely athlete, she weighed just 100 pounds Her orthodox Jewish Husband didn't keep her in bounds She hadn't ridden a bike until a few days before her trip But she ignored those details and let adventure rip. A sponsor, Londonderry water, gave her her name And as Annie Londonderry, she won her fame. From Paris to Marseille, a hurt foot rested on a handlebar Still made it in two weeks, gave skeptics their first jar. She reached Yokohama, took a boat to Frisco Rode to L.A. Arizona, on a roll to El Paso She rode beside tracks, a horse accident drew blood But she hopped trains in Nebraska, because the roads were mud In Iowa she hit a group of pigs, and broke her wrist But she wasn't stopping now, no fading in the mist She wore a cast until she made the goal and won the prize Fourteen days before deadline, with triumph in her eyes. You may never have heard of Mrs. Londonderry She told lots of tall tales - roguish and merry But still she was a pioneer, a racer and tough An adventuress made mostly of the right stuff. She had children, a business, yet we can agree She showed the 1890's; how bold a spirit could be. She didn't have money; she earned money along the way with talks and ads, could you do that today? Could you cycle through North Africa, Yemen, Saigon? Or would ideologues stop you, from continuing on? So for those who remember, let's give a Hurrah For those who have moxie, and a dose of Chutzpah.