Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-30
ABOUT THE BICYCLE.


MOUNT THE CRITTER-ouR WASHINGTON RI
CyLIsTs-How, WHEN AND WHERE THEr o.
THR BICYCLE LEAGUE of.tMkRicA 10 sKET IL
WASHINGTON IN MAY MKT.
There are between eighty and one hundred
bicycles in Washington. Eighteen months ago
you could count them on your fingers, and have
several dgtts LEFT over 10 make memorandum
or the result. The increase In the number Of
wheels has been gradual but steady. The b.
cJcie came here from Boston: and the 'City OF
Cuichaw' got In IRON England. 1t has gradu-
ally spread over large portion OF the country
! is strongest collectively in New England, wi b
b ston as headquarters: individually as 10
cliies. Philadelphid leads she has over three
hGnored wheels and riders The national In
tegeSt In the sport Is sufficient 10 sustain two
papers devoted entirely oiL one is published
In Boston, and is known as the BicyCie World:
the other comes from the press In New York
THE MACHINES
the rider always calls his steed machine
or 'bikie'-are mostly imported from Eng
ltLc. firm In Boston has been maxi q
ihem for some time and a New York factory
has recently commenced 10 turn them out. The
nom. made ailair is not SO good as The foreign
~ las hot the improvements aud cranks taat
kIgiish makers put on. There IS bat little
diteIt nee IN the price, owing 20 the - per cent
duties that have 10 be paid on the fmp1rtel
Wheel The prices range from $50 TOR tne un-
SdornCd 10 $iS5 for the nickle-plated and tony
There are not more than three or four b.cyceS
make up does not differ so as 10 Suggest tie
points 10 the general eye. The principal diler-
eDce between this or that bicycle consists I'm
the Kind of rubber that is used on the wheels.
In some IL is continuous circle imbeidei In
Steel In others the continuous rubber is sup
planted by balls that elastic material fitted
Ing but perfectly smooth riding. II Is clsimaS
LOT the oalled bicycle that Il produces less fric-
ton In locomotton.
ANOTHER KIND OF MACHINE
that may be seen is that in which the foot CON-
municating the propelling force does not de-
scribe the circle, but moves pack and forward
In eniptical curve. There Is but one or this
KIND In the city. The speed OF the other class
cannot be attained Oh IL. but Il b better for hill
climbing and Is less apt TO give YOU header.
The diameter OF the big wheel depends upon
the length of the legs OF the rider. IL averages
between &c and Sc inches. The outfit for The
mount consists OF little leather satchel lust
Dack OF the saddle, In which is wrench and
OF. 1t is possible, however 10 pack on n gooI
dinner and change OF under-clothing, 10y care
| fully doing up the load
HOW TO MASTER TIE FIERY USTAMED srEEp.
bicycle is much easier to master than one
would think The first thought In getting on
one is OF quick calculation. The calculation IS
to solve the problem OF which wa, one wilt
fall. The solution is tumble being a combi-
nation or every conceivable way or getting
down with vim and bruises. one soon masters
the thing. The captain OF the Capital Bicycle
can teach any one 10 ride at the end OF that
time noyfces can get along on the streets and
keep going. They VIII not be finished wheel
men though. IL takes time and patience
TO become "1y' rider. The enjoyment
OF the exercise is keen and not wearf-
some. Your true wheelman would not ex-
change Tor good saddle horse. It Is not
tiresome. The weight or the body is on the
saddle instead OF The knees as In walking.
Forty miles day can be made without fatigue
except Slight firing In the knees the first two
ri
made by wheelmen over the country < man
with good pair OF lungs gets winde1 IL he runs
bicycle strider viii make quarter OF q mile at
MS best bent before his wind begins TO fail
The English papers speak OF a characteristic
.picycle back"-a hump shouldered, chest-con-
racled sort OF appearance-reSulting from the
use OF the wheel There is nothing OF the
kind in the United States. The style OF
riding is different in the two countries. In
England the gay flyer grasps the handles or
tlller, II the thing were a boat, overhandc1;
the lack or his hands are uppermost and mis-
arms making the hypotenuse OF a right angled
triangle causes him 70 stOop. In the American
sryl the handles are grasped with the palms
uppermost; the elbows are by the side The
lore arm making the base OF the rIghU-angled
triangle conduceS 10 an expansion or the cnest
iDsjead or contraction. The summer is the
most favorable season for the sport bat 10
washington it holds on during the winter ow-
Ing 10 the mild climate.
WHEN THE wHERI.NAS WHEEL
The most popular hours during the summer
ere between six and eight ia the evening. In
those hours the average spin is between twelve
and fourteen miles, as the feeling may be- This
city Is peculiarly lifted for the sport. TIE chief
advantage Is In The streets The 3moOth. con-
crete gives the Washington wheeler hird-llke
advantage not possessed BY bis less fayorabiy
iocaied brethren. They can glide where others
have TO work. But even the seductive cOBcre5e
does not absorb the attention OF the Wash
ington lover OF the sport. He goes ever /.
Ene;e: A Jaunt from here TO Upper Mari
a mn gfnlTnr
sunday: The Great Falls and Cabin
Johns bridge are frequently visited. Great
Falis Is made In about two and a-han hoIrs
and Cabin Johns bridge consumes one hour and
ten minutes OF life. Iltn and country roads are
gone over with enjoyment and but little incon-
Nemence. Meridian Hin is not regarded as any
Thing at all. The steep Incline Just beyond
Piney Branch is overcome with but little dial
Guilty. while Good Hope Hill, the topmost OF any
around this country, is considered good eser-
else. The going down the hill is the most dan
gerouS OF all riding. it may cause a man 50
take header. The striking OF stone may
cause the whole arrangement to resolve Itself
Into an astronomical observation.
THE BICYCLE CLUBS OF WASHINGTON
There are two regularly organized bicycle
clubs in the city. The leading one is the cap
ital Bicycle Club" II gave during the summer
an afternoon or most Interesting racing at Iowa
circle. It's members are in demand for agricul-
tuIal fairs In the country adjacent They get
their expenses paid and the winners ia the
races receive medals. This club numbers p
riders. Their uniform is white stockings. blue
pan S, blue shirts and blue coats trimmed with
cord OF lighter blue. The other club is The
Arlington" They poll about 16 members and
uniform I'm light pants and blue shirts with gilt
fancy "a" on the bosom. This club
has given no races and have attended
no fairs. Those outside OF the two clubs who
'reyolye," are known as unattached riders. TIE
clubs go Out under the direction OF their cap
t4ins and sub-captains The captains pick the
route and ride ahead and notify the others OF
bad country. There are drills consisting OF va
rious manueVerS. The drill should be at the
bugls sound, though no one IN either club is
sufficiently proficient on that instrument 10
utilize it. The Capital club expects soon TO
turn out regular Levy on the bugle. j. NJ.
Borden, OF the Capital club. said 10 TIE STAR
reporter: I'VE have nothing TO complain OF as
to our treatment. Horses dom get frightened
at Us. We carry light at night In order that
foll-S may know that we are around, az we
make no noise. In addition. We have whistles
70 use as occasion may require. The only sec
ton OF the city where we have met with treat
ment other than the very best IS near the inter
section OF 14th street and Maryland ayenus.
The street rats there gather along In lines ard
In the dark spit at us and throw stones. We
avoid the neig loorhood as much as poSsibler2
TEE ADVANTAGES OF WASHINGTON
for bicycle sport are recognized the who'e
United States over. AS q result it has been de-
cided to hold the meeting or the League OF Ameri.
can Wheelmen here in May next This league
is devoted TO the promotion OF bicyclinp ANY