National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-06-08
ATHLETES ON WHEELS.
The Recent Bicycle Meet In BOston-A
Fine Demonstration.

The following article from the pen OF
l. ] Rates appeared editoriaIly in the Detroit Post
Monday We reproduce it for the beneht OF the
constantly increasing number of persons VINO are
interested in bicycling in this city. 1t Is 10 De
hoped our local clubs will be able to nave next
years convention held in Washington, for GER
tainly no other city in America can offer such in
ducements as Washington: "The most important
event of the past week and of the present year. IN
the way of manly sports, was the first annual
meet, in Boston, last Monday, of the League OF
American Wheelmen. Nearly one thousand bl-
cycle riders from all parts of the country were as
sembled; and there were nearly eight hundred
riders in the grand procession through the streets
of Boston Monday forenoon. Probably over two
hundred thousand people witnessed this unique
procession. The handsome uniforms and perfect
riding of the crack clubs, the line-nearly two
miles long-of glittering wheels, moving in pairs,
with flags, banners, and music, under bright sun,
along a route of six miles, kept clear by large
force of police, and the dense masses of cheering
people who crowded every inch OF space from the
tops of the buildings to the lines of police, formed
pageant such as has never before been seen in this
country which it was worth almost any trouble
and expense to see, and which will never be for
gotten by those fortunate enough to see it.
THIS DEMONSTRATION FURNISHED
ocular proof that bicycle riding is now firmly
ular of the manly exercises. Among the riders
were many men of note in the business, political,
literary, and social world, and the sons of many
eminent men. The business meeting of the
league embraced in its membership lawyers,
divineS, manufacturers, inventors, merchants,
politicians, authors &c. The most noted colleges
and universities were represented by clubs. The
statistics presented to the league show that there
are now about ten thousand bicycle riders in the
country, and the number is growing with great
rapidity. There are several large manufactures,
and one very large and important one, represent
ing investments aggregating many thousands of
dollars of capital. Among those present were men
who have
JoURNEYED HUNDREDS OF MILES
on the wheel: and one gentleman, Gale Sherman,
rode his bicycle all the way from Ohio to attend
the meet, gaining weight during his trip. After
the meeting he started for Baltimore and Wash
ington, thence home. This proves the machine 10
be practical roadster for long journeys if any
proof were needed. One of the most noticeable
features of the meet was the fact that very large
proportion of the wheelmen were adult business
men, while there was g considerable number of
men of middle age or past. An experienced othcer
of the United States army pronounced the process
sion as whole the finest body of athletic and in
telligent looking men he had ever seen assembled.
THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS
OF any kind during the meet, Deyonu a lew trlllnS
tumbles-no frightened horses no collisions with
pedestrians. no interference with the ordinary
traffic of the streets, except such as any procession
would make, and none except during the process
sion Clubs and squads of bicycles rode to and
through all the villages in the neighborhood of
Boston with the same immunity from accidents.
At the hnSi""-H noodle 80 ,roso,ta,,
from the mayors and police authorities of scores of
cities all over the country almost universally GER
tifying that no complaints were anywhere made
against the use Of bicycles as a vehicle on the
streets and roads, and that accidents were either
unknown, or were far more rare than are caused
by the introduction of any other novelty.
THE BICYCLE HAS EVIDENTLY
come to stay Bicycling is now already perhaps
the most popular and successful of the manly
sports, and it is the most fashionable in most of
the Eastern and number of the Western cities.
1t appears to be the safest most practically useful
and most generally agreeable of outdoor exer-
cises 1t is of the greatest Importance to the Ma
ton that its young men shall possess sound
minds in sound bodies; and it is wise public
policy to encourage all manly exercises which
promise to add to the average health and strength
SKILL courage, and enterprise of our young men.
The rank of nation in the worlds esteem and in
the worlds success depends upon active and en-
during muscle joined with healthy and intelligent
brains. The reproach that the American people
are dyspeptic, fat-cheSted, lean, and less hardy
than their European competitors, if it ever had
any foundation in truth, is rapidly disappearing ;
and young American manhood is now recognized
the world over as worthy of a mighty and con-
quering race. That this new sport will add to
manliness grace daring, confidence, endurance,
energy and strength of the Americans of the
future there is every reason to believe and none to
dOTbt