Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-04-07

tIAt--lHE fOkMAIlpN OF 4 ClT OF MIDDLE
AGED EIDEEs--wHY WIFE wEPT-THE COST
o. MACHINES AND THE REASONS FOR 1T,
The average bicycler is just now filed with
thoughts of sprinx The warm weather has
,nacn the same effect upon him as it does upon
t. trees and shrubs. IL sends his blood cours-
IN more rapidly through his veins and there ia
stir Of preparation and activity that betokens
great deeds on the wheel. The flush of color In
the stalk Of the rosebusb as the sap ascends. or
the swelling OF the maple buds, arsno more
Certain signs of spring than is the awakening
enthusiasm Of the wheelmen. A bicycle IL not
strictly speaking. sign Of spring, but
the bicycler planning long runs in the coun-
L s. There Is something In the soft. mild air
and sparkling sunlight that calls h M forth from
The winter OF perfunctory duty, so to speak,
and Ills hiin with the anticipation OF delightful
excursions. During the winter lie has mounted
his machine from motives CT duty or health. and
stae familiar wheels have been seen daily on the
streets. except when the snow prevented their
Use But now with the spring and the desire
which comes 10 every one to get out In the
country, the biCycler with his machine as an
additional spur 10 the prOmptings of nature. ia
manifestly In q state OF excitement He plans
long runs" arranges impossible trips, makes
frequent inquiries as to the condition of
TIRE COUNTRY ROADS,
wonders why this item Ia not included in the
weather report of the signal bureau, and finally
oae day returns with clothes spattered and
machine covered with mud. He had been trv
ing country trip, having become convinced
that the roads must be dry by this time After
such an experiment the victim is ant to
have gloomy views relative to the backward
eess Of the season and the state of rural
roads 1t is too early in the season as vet for
The |heelmen TO go beyond the limits Of the
city and so the spring activity among this class
OF pleasure seekers has not begun
Have you arranged any long runs for this
season yet, asked STAR reporter of prom-
nent bicycler.
1T is most too early to go into the country"
was the reply, land so no long trips have been
definitely fixed upon; but as soon as the roads
become settled we will take our usual runs of
ten and fifteen miles In the country and | ex-
pect some long trips of a week and more will
be made. The wheelmen have hardly begun To
realize that the spring is here"
THE INTEREST IN BICYCLING
There seems TO be no lack OF interest in this
sport here. and the numbers of the wheelmer
are steadily increasing. A noticeable fact Is
that good proportion Of the new recruits are
men advanced in life, whose motive In learning
70 ride Is health as well as pleasure There Is
however a very prevalent opinion that the posi-!
Zion astride wheel is more conspicuous than
dignihed, and some people have violent preju-
dice AGAINST the pastime. One gentleman
having learned to ride without conf1dIng this
TACT to his wife, bought . machine and then
decided to surprise and crafty her with ar
exhibition OF his skill. When he burst upon hel
estonlshed gaze, proudly skimming along on the
shining wheel, his wife burst into tears and
informed the startled wheeler, amid many sobs
that he
LOOKED LIKE A PERFECT FOOL.
great many people have the same opinion
but as the exercise Is said to be beneficial. aut
- the bicycle saves time and steps 1t will prob
ably still continue popular. The increase in tht
number Of riders has been steadily increasing
Last year at this time there were about 2l
riders on the wheel in this city, and now the,
are said to number 800. The Capital club hat
been until recently the only organized club o
wheelers In the city, but there are large mum
per o. what are known as unattached riders