The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-10-13
TOUR or the cycling HANDLERS.


On the afternoon of the 3rd instant, A..
II. VENT. w. l.. Seabrook, /. A. Miller,
Chas K. Fink, J. H. Cunningham, OF The
Cycling Ramblers," of this city, led by Capt;
|. S. Weaver, mounted their bicycles and
started on their fall trip. The start was made
at 1870 D. M. by way of the Littlestown turn
pike. At 4:10 O. clock the party reached Lat
tlestown. Riding time, 2 hours and 10 min
utes During this part of the ride many
amusing and interesting incidents occurred.
AS the party approached the pennsylvania
line. distances were doubled between riders,
and the long, rough hill was descended with
caution. On the bridge, at the foot OF the
hill. was a herd of cattle, which the first three
riders passed successfully; approaching them
RAPIDLY, the fourth rider sounded his bell,
causing one of the cows to below with alright;
At her call of alarm the monarch of the herd
stepped to the centre of the road, and, stand
ing on Mason and Dixon's line, disputed the
passage into the Keystone State. his war
like attitude caused sudden dismount; but
after a sharp skirmish he was driven from his
post, and the passage made in safety. At
Littlestown it was found that the road was
too muddy from the recent rains to be trav-
eled, and, after short consultation, 1t was
determined to take the foot-path along. the
Pennsylvania Railroad track. 1t would be
Impossible, III any uC6CIlpbtOilf W w JNON.SS
to that ride of seven miles to Hanover; the
small amount of good road, the numerous
dismounts for culverts, the bridges crossed,
and almost insurmountable difficulties over
come The run was made in good time, how
ever, and Hanover reached in hour and 70
minutes after leaving Littlestown. The Cen
trail Hotel was made Club headquarters, where
Mr. A. Kleff, proprietor, did everything IN
his power to make the boys comfortable, and
succeeded in every particular, except that one
of them could not find bed long enough.
All turned in early; but one declared that
he was an Indian and would not go to bed,
but wrapped his blanket around him and en-
tertained the others with a war-dance. His
noisy war-whoop, however, did not disturb
the slumbers of the one who lay on his back
sweetly dreaming of the Captains 'tally-ho,"
and initiating its sounds so well that those
hearing him thought of the canning facto'
ries' at home, or the Taylor Company's
whistle. In spite of these drawbacks, all
were soon locked in the arms of Murphy,
and were not aroused until the sound OF the
breakfast bell did that which Gabriefs trum-
pet could not have accomplished.
On Thursday morning, at $50 o'clock, the
Captains trumpet sounded s'Boots and sad
dies, and the journey was taken up again.
The air was found pure and bracing, and as the
distance from mere was lengJneneu, Ine con-
dition of the roads correspondingly improved.
No accident occurred except the breaking of
a pedal, which caused delay of an hour an
half, until a Y ork county blacksmith man
ufactured patent pedal, which, by the way,
will be hereafter kept by Miller in glass
case. York was reached at 1890 o'clock;
distance % miles; riding time hours and 40
minutes, the last 81 miles having been made
in SO minutes At York, the Washington
House, on Main street, was made headquar-
tiers. The party remained in York until Sat
urday morning, and spent the greater part of
the time while there on their wheels, meeting
many wheelmen from Lancaster, Columbia,
Marietta, Honeybrook, Gettysburg and other
points. While there Messrs. d. K. Trimmer,
Etter Small, Will Burnham, Thomas, and
others, of the York Bicycle Club, showed
them every attention possible and made their
stay a very pleasant one. With many regrets
at having to return on Saturday morning, the
boys took the train for Littlestown, and upon
reaching that point again mounted their
wheels and rode to Westminster in hours
and 20 minutes.