# 53 bicycles: A lateral thinking puzzle **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [July 9, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868 "2017-07-09T19:51:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 89
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1761 "2017-10-05T16:41:38Z")
> [@Rhodes](#): > > The President’s hobby involves a mammal (or a number of animals) that is neither a pet nor a wild animal. > > Is the animal an exotic pet? …lion? …tiger? …bear? …fox? > > Is the animal a domesticated animal? …cow? …horse? > > Is the animal a pest? …rat? …mouse? > > Is the boy a White House resident? …child of the President? > > Do you say that the boy “supposedly” died because of the hobby, because the link between hobby and death is unconfirmed? The President’s hobby involves a mammal (or a number of animals) that is neither a pet nor a wild animal. \*\*Yes \*\* Is the animal an exotic pet? …lion? …tiger? …bear? …fox? \*\*No \*\* Is the animal a domesticated animal? \*\*Yes \*\* …cow? …horse? \*\*No to both \*\* Is the animal a pest? …rat? …mouse? \*\*No \*\* Is the boy a White House resident? …child of the President? \*\*No \*\* Do you say that the boy “supposedly” died because of the hobby, because the link between hobby and death is unconfirmed? **No** ---
**Author:** ![Rhodes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhodes/32/273_2.png) [@Rhodes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhodes)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1762 "2017-10-05T18:05:30Z")
Damn, I thought I had it. Coolidge had a collection of unusual animals. His son died from an infected blister he got while playing lawn tennis. I could see how one could infer that raccoon/hippo/lion poop “supposedly” made the WH lawn a breeding ground for infectious bacteria. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1763 "2017-10-05T18:07:40Z")
Is the person President between 1950-2017? 1900-1950? 1850-1900? Before 1850? I can do the same for decades once we know, but perhaps you could tell us the year? ---
**Author:** ![Rhodes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhodes/32/273_2.png) [@Rhodes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhodes)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1764 "2017-10-05T18:13:43Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Was there only one animal or a number? > > \*\*Yes \*\* 1. Was there only one animal? 2. … or a number greater than one? > [@Biotop](#): > > Is the animal a domesticated animal? > > \*\*Yes \*\* > > …cow? …horse? > > \*\*No to both \*\* 1. Donkey? 2. Bull? 3. A domesticated animal that was not typically domesticated in the US? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1765 "2017-10-05T18:33:12Z")
> [@Rhodes](#): > > 1. Was there only one animal? > > 2. … or a number greater than one? > > 3. Donkey? > > 4. Bull? > > 5. A domesticated animal that was not typically domesticated in the US? 1. Was there only one animal? 2. … or a number greater than one? \*\*Please clarify. I am not trying to be cryptic, I just do not want to mislead. \*\* 3. Donkey? \*\*No \*\* 1. Bull? \*\*No \*\* 1. A domesticated animal that was not typically domesticated in the US? \*\*Yes \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1766 "2017-10-05T18:37:06Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Is the person President between 1950-2017? > > 1900-1950? > > 1850-1900? > > Before 1850? > > I can do the same for decades once we know, but perhaps you could tell us the year? Is the person President between 1950-2017? **No.** 1900-1950? **No.** 1850-1900? **No.** Before 1850? **Yes.** ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1767 "2017-10-05T18:38:16Z")
> [@Rhodes](#): > > Damn, I thought I had it. Coolidge had a collection of unusual animals. His son died from an infected blister he got while playing lawn tennis. I could see how one could infer that raccoon/hippo/lion poop “supposedly” made the WH lawn a breeding ground for infectious bacteria. Interesting . I didn’t know this. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1768 "2017-10-05T19:40:03Z")
A president before 1850 had a mammal that is not normally domesticated in the US. Because he failed to enclose the animal, a boy died. Right? 1. Is the animal native to Europe? 2. Native to Asia? 3. Native to Australia? 4. Native to Africa? 5. Native to South America? 6. Native to North America? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1769 "2017-10-05T20:07:57Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > A president before 1850 had a mammal that is not normally domesticated in the US. Because he failed to enclose the animal, a boy died. Right? > > 1. Is the animal native to Europe? > 2. Native to Asia? > 3. Native to Australia? > 4. Native to Africa? > 5. Native to South America? > 6. Native to North America? A president before 1850 had a mammal that is not normally domesticated in the US. Because he failed to enclose the animal, a boy died. Right? \*\*Yes \*\* 1. Is the animal native to Europe? \*\*Yes \*\* 1. Native to Asia? 2. Native to Australia? 3. Native to Africa? 4. Native to South America? 5. Native to North America? \*\*All others No \*\*. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1770 "2017-10-05T20:55:08Z")
1. Is the mammal hooved? 2. Is it larger (by weight) than, say, an adult human? Let’s put that at 150 lbs., if it’s important to be precise. 3. Did the animal inflict traumatic injury on the boy? 3a) With teeth? 3b) With horns? 3c) With claws? 3d) With hooves? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1771 "2017-10-05T21:01:57Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. Was there only one animal? > > 2. … or a number greater than one? > > Please clarify. I am not trying to be cryptic, I just do not want to mislead. Was there more than one animal involved in the hobby? Was there more than one animal involved in the incident which allegedly led to the boy’s death? ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1772 "2017-10-05T21:21:40Z")
- Was the boy sacrificed to an animal to save the President? - Was the animal a swamp rabbit? - Has this incident been covered up by The Powers That Be to prevent the truth from being heard? ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1773 "2017-10-05T22:40:38Z")
Was the animal a ferret? Was the animal a badger? Was the animal a hare? ---
**Author:** ![RadioWave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RadioWave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadioWave)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1774 "2017-10-05T23:56:56Z")
1. Did the boy supposedly die from drowning? 2. … from exposure (freezing)? 3. … from bleeding to death? 4. … from electrocution (lightning)? 5. … from starvation? 6. … from being crushed? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1775 "2017-10-06T01:02:56Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > 1. Is the mammal hooved? > 2. Is it larger (by weight) than, say, an adult human? Let’s put that at 150 lbs., if it’s important to be precise. > 3. Did the animal inflict traumatic injury on the boy? > 3a) With teeth? > 3b) With horns? > 3c) With claws? > 3d) With hooves? 1. Is the mammal hooved? **Yes** 1. Is it larger (by weight) than, say, an adult human? Let’s put that at 150 lbs., if it’s important to be precise. \*\*Yes \*\* 1. Did the animal inflict traumatic injury on the boy? \*\*Yes \*\* 3a) With teeth? 3b) With horns? 3c) With claws? 3d) With hooves? \*\*Unknown, except no claws for certain \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1776 "2017-10-06T01:04:09Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Was there more than one animal involved in the hobby? > > Was there more than one animal involved in the incident which allegedly led to the boy’s death? Was there more than one animal involved in the hobby? \*\*Yes \*\* Was there more than one animal involved in the incident which allegedly led to the boy’s death? \*\*No \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1777 "2017-10-06T01:05:12Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > Was the animal a ferret? > > Was the animal a badger? > > Was the animal a hare? \*\*All no \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1778 "2017-10-06T01:07:24Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > - Was the boy sacrificed to an animal to save the President? > - Was the animal a swamp rabbit? > - Has this incident been covered up by The Powers That Be to prevent the truth from being heard? \*\*All no. Though yes would be more fun.\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1779 "2017-10-06T01:16:50Z")
> [@RadioWave](#): > > 1. Did the boy supposedly die from drowning? > 2. … from exposure (freezing)? > 3. … from bleeding to death? > 4. … from electrocution (lightning)? > 5. … from starvation? > 6. … from being crushed? **The only possibilities are 3 and 6. Details are sadly lacking from my superficial Google searchings. The historical information about this incident is surprisingly sparse. Once someone guesses the hobby I may turn the whole question of of this event over to the GQ forum.** ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868/1780 "2017-10-06T01:46:36Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > **The only possibilities are 3 and 6. Details are sadly lacking from my superficial Google searchings. The historical information about this incident is surprisingly sparse. Once someone guesses the hobby I may turn the whole question of of this event over to the GQ forum.** Was it bullfighting? Was it horse-riding? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868.md?page=88) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-bicycles-a-lateral-thinking-puzzle/790868.md?page=90)