In 1897 and 1898 the Philadelphia Inquirer published a series of bicycle routes in a column called Trips Awheel. Each route had a map and a narrative describing the trip. Some also had a route coupon, providing information on road conditions and hotels or restaurants along the way. Most of the routes fanned out from Philadelphia to the surrounding area, and about a third went into New Jersey. One series of connected routes went to New York City, another to Pittsburgh.

The maps were hand drawn. The narratives are detailed with information on road conditions, businesses, historical, and cultural sites along the way, and running commentary on what the rider saw as he traveled along the route. As he frequently gives the date of his ride the route provides a snapshot of that particular day.