Pl. -men. Also wheelsman. [f. WHEEL sb. + MAN sb.1]
1. A man who attends to a wheel in some piece of mechanism; U.S. a helmsman.
1885. Harpers Mag., March, 643/1. The wheelsman tries to entice her up to his pilot-box, which towers above the vessel.
1886. J. Barrowman, Sc. Mining Terms, 72.
2. A man who rides a bicycle or tricycle; a malo cyclist. colloq.
1881. Tribune (N. Y.), 5 April. An enthusiastic wheelman of Boston had not up to January 1, missed but one day riding on his steely steed since the winter season commenced.
1887. Morning Post, 8 April. A reconnaissance can be carried out more quickly by wheelmen than by horsemen.
So Wheelwoman, a female cyclist.
1881. Philadelphia Inquirer, 15 Aug., 3/1. The prestidigitateur [the great Hermann] will be assisted by Ariel, the wonderful flying dancer, and Mdlle. Addie, the champion wheelwoman, on her $500 bicycle.
1884. Pall Mall Gaz., 5 Sept., 11/2. Wheelmen and wheelwomen.