Bicycle racing on an indoor track could be a thrilling sport for spectators, who sat outside the oval, so close to the cyclists that they could see their sweat. more than 7,000 people watched the night frankie nelson set her 18-hour record in minneapolis, and a good number of those in the stands were female. stating that "7,000 people watched the night frankie nelson set her 18-hour record” most develops the central idea that the introduction of the bicycle brought with it many changes. indoor track racing was more popular than outdoor racing. female cyclists were more competitive than male cyclists. bicycle racing was a popular sport in the 1880s and 1890s.