New Crewman Tony Pizzo Was Bet Today's Equivalent Of $50000 That He Couldn't Cycle Handcuffed To His Auto From Los Angeles On May 19Th To Novel York Earlier Nov 1St. He Arrived Oct 30Th 1919.

On Oct 30th, 1919, Tony Pizzo arrived inwards New York City chained to his bicycle. He had pedaled 3,000 miles inwards five-and-a-half months, attached to his bike past times a three-and-a-half-foot chain as well as handcuffs welded nigh but about his wrists.

These restraints had been sealed inwards Los Angeles the previous jump past times Fatty Arbuckle, who had wagered that no human being could ride a single-speed wheel across the country, as well as offered to pay $3,500 (around $50,000 adjusted for inflation) to anyone who could—as long equally they arrived inwards New York City earlier Nov 1.

Fatty had an ace upwards his sleeve. The human being that mentored Charlie Chaplin as well as discovered Buster Keaton as well as Bob Hope had a swell agreement of men. His friend, Tony Pizzo was a crewman alongside the U.S.A. Navy during the starting fourth dimension World War as well as was lately married to a immature actress at Paramount Studios. If anyone could achieve the feat, it was Tony Pizzo.

“The Navy would exclusively allow him practice this ride if it could last combined equally a recruitment stunt equally well,” says his granddaughter Annette. “That was approved past times the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, FDR.” During the ride, Tony’s uniform “had to last kept neat as well as construct clean at all times.” Governors along his ride road would verify the province of his uniform past times writing confirmation letters.

Tony Pizzo succeeded, as well as the fact that he had a immature meaning married adult woman may convey offered a lot of motivation. They needed the money.

Arriving inwards NYC to fanfare as well as acclaim at the destination of 1919, Sailor Pizzo meets Franklin Roosevelt as well as is reunited alongside his friends as well as the makers of the bet. Happily, the best gift is waiting for him - Fatty brought his married adult woman as well as newborn son.

the higher upwards picture is best seen total size on Shorpy of course: http://www.shorpy.com/node/19718 though it is works life all over. With the picture from Shorpy yous tin catch the transcend of the uniform has buttons along the seems, as well as downwards the underside of the arms, allowing him to exit if it when non inwards front end of a camera. No ane wears wool shirts when biking a 3000 mile trip

half dozen months afterwards ready off the same agency to Los Angeles , alongside handcuffs sealed past times Mayor Hylan inwards New York Apr 24th as well as are non to last opened until his furnish to that city.

For the minute ride, Tony was to go from New York City to Los Angeles, as well as thence plow but about as well as ride dorsum to New York City to claim the $5,000 pocketbook a Chicago-area wheel guild had set up. OF course, the coin certain helped, as well as mayhap getting away from a lot of diaper changing wasn't overlooked.

His goal on his tertiary trip was to see each working capital missive of the alphabet of the 48 states inwards the union, as well as on Oct 5, 1921, Colorado Governor O.H. Shoup sealed Pizzo’s handcuffs earlier he rode S to New Mexico, headed to Austin, Texas.