Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-17
STEVENS GREAT JOURNEY.
The Bicyclist's Dangerous Routes from
STEAMBOAT Eastward.

From he B0stOn 4 d0ocdfe.
Thomas Stevens, the 'cyclist, who is
now endeavoring to wheel around the
world on bicycle, when last heard from
was at Constantlnople, waiting for cooler
weather to begin his ride across Asia. A
few days since Outing in the interest Of
which magazine Mr.. Stevens ia making
his journey. received from him an inter
esung letter, which Will appear In It's
September number. He states that be ar
rived at C0nstantin0ple July ,. lie had a
hard time OF it crossing the Balkan noun
tains and through Turkey, as the roads
were wretched and rain descended daily.
He had some trouble with the
inhabitants, though his inability
to speak their language, and
was several times arrested by the gend-
armerie, who looked upon him with much
suspicion. He was, however, always re-
leased without receiving any i'll treat
ment, and he says that on the whole he
enjoyed the ride across Europe. His
journey from Liverpool to ConstantinOple
he reckOns at 1000 miles, which brings
his stralRhtaway tide towards circum-
navigating the globe up TO about 6, 600
miles. He has not yet decided upon his
route from COnstantnOple. An English
man at COnstantinOple has advised him
10 ride to feheran, Persia, via TrebizOnd,
Tiflis or ErZerOum, instead OF down the
Euphrates valley to Bagdad, as ADVISED
by Harry French, with whom 1t will
be remembered he crossed the At
lantic. He writes that he is told
that his chances Of being robbed il he
travels the former route will be at least
20 per cent. less certain, but that little
short Of miracle will prevent him from
that experience anyhow. He says that If
he can get gold coin small enough to put
IN the hollow handle bar OF his bicycle he
will make a money box OF that TO carry
what funds he may require between points
where his letter of credit can be used.
He thinks that this arrangement will give
the uninitated Kurd or Bedouin some
little difficulty to find the money. If the
Teheran route is chosen he will start at
once from COnsiantinople. for his course
during the first month will not lead much
further south. II the Euphrates route is
selected he will not start until the middle
Of September.
From COnstantinople TO either Teheran
or Bagdad is 800 miles over a pretty
tough country. When he reaches either
of those places he will have passed the
middle point of his Journey. CONSTANT
nople is nearly half way In distance, but
the real difficulties are still ahead. He
does not, however. anticipate any trouble
which time and perseverance will not
overcome. He has made the acquaint-
auco of Col. Shelton, foreman of the Sui
tan's cannon foundry, who has taken
great interest in him, and has promised
TO obtain for him from lead
ing M0hammedau priest letter OF
explanation and recommendation, which
will secure him the good will OF Mussul-
mans everywhere who are capable of
reading it, and which in Asia will give
him greater protection and more con-
sideration than all the government pass
ports he could obtain. Col. Shelton tells
him thai before he leaves COnstantin0ple
be will probably be summoned to appear
before the Sultan and give an exhibition
Of his riding He writes that his Column
bia bicycle is in good condition, except
that the tire is considerably worn by rid
ing over flinty roadbeds.