The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-08-23
A Lightning Bicycle Ride.

Our mine, the Spondulix of Colorado
was the highest of the range. 1t was
2670 feet above Silver Brick station, and
nine miles distant from the village.
From the works up to the mines there
was broad, hard, smooth road used for
carting ord down from the mines and
hauling supplies up. The average grade
down the mountain was 800 feet to the
mile; in some places it was sleeper and
at intervals almost level.
BY constant practice 1 managed at
last to ride my 80 inch university road
ster up the whole slope to the Spondu-
ix, of course resting at levels, but my
again; it required skill, a good deal of
nerve and firm grasp of the brake.
One evening an accident occurred to
one of the men ut the mine. / instantly
got out my bicycle, explaining that I
could go swifter than horse down the
slope. In a few minutes l had on my
riding suit and was off.
The night air was clear and crisp; the
full moon, except in few curves, shone
directly into the gulch, lighting up the
road. Leaning we'll back, with my legs
over the handles and firm finger on the
brake, allowed the wheel to glide down
the first long slope at a speed which 1
had never dared to venture before. Find
ing the motion safe, allowed the machine
to run faster and still faster. Over the
first level l shot like an arrow. Down
the next slope seemed to glide with the
rushing wind. Then I turned q curve
and ran into the shadow of the mountain
upon the next level. Knowing every
inch of the road, however, I did not
slacken my speed, except very slightly.
As flew over the top of the next slope,
q steep plung of nearly half mile. an
other curve completely shut out the
moon, making the road almost as dark
as q pocket. Here I put down the brake
hard, and checked my speed materially.
Still knew the road 50 we'll that l had
no fear. But just as 1 was on the steepest
plunge of the slope
Clinkl
Something few from the machine like
abullet. Instantly the wheel darted for
ward like the rush Of frightened bird,
while the brake lever came home to the
steering bar under my finger.
The brake had broken short of at the
elbow
There was nothing to check the ma
chine, which was running away with
me, with over five miles of mountain
grade before me, and the chance of meet
ing q team at any moment in the dark. /
might have leaped backward of the ma
chine at the instant of the break, but
Ave seconds afterward il was too late.
To attampt dismount would be certain
death. There was nothing to do but
stick to the saddle and take my chances.
When the accident happened to the
brake was just entering y dark curve in
the shadow of the mountain. The wall
on my right appeared dark, almost iu-
visible brown, while the chasm on my
left was of an inky blsckness. As /
rounded the hollow of the curve could
see the moonlight shining far ahead on
the point of the elbow which must
turn where the road was channelled into
the wall. As approached it had the
sense and nerve to run on the outer side
of the road, close to the edge Of the can
yon, thus giving myself a. broad turn
- possible. found by the track of the
we'll afterward that at the shsrpest turn
/ had actually ridden within three inches
Of the extreme edge for several rods,
Wnotos II hou U0ou gong u l01o Ioot-
9ul speed, the wheel would certainly
have slipped over the edge and carried
ne down fall of 1000 feet.
Safely past this, the worst point, the
remaining curves were easy. Thus far
there had been no time 10 think. Ny
actions were moro instructive than reason.
ing. My mind was . Wild, confused
whirl OF sensations and fears.
But now, - shot down the last steep
incline, l suddenly expsrisnced . terri
bic mental shock. Il Vas caused by
hearing the tinkle Of bell far below and
sssing the spark Of lantern such - the
mine teamstsrs carry in front of their
wagons. There was . team, perhaps Q
train of teams, coming up the road In
. few seconds I should Be upon them.
The shock made me think, and that
clearly. II the teamstsr was walking
beaide his team he would be on the inside
next 10 the mountain wall, and the team
would be in the middle Of the road. II
he vas riding. the team would be kepl
near the mountain wall and at safe dis
tancs from the outer edge Of the track.
Either way my beat chance vas 10 pas
on the outside. Az I approached. there
fore, ran close 70 the outside edge Of
Ne track, and hsw By in safsty, hearing
The teamstsr shout - did 20. Here il