The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-05-13


Means of Travel and Pleasure.
Chicago Iatg.O OCEAN.
Since the advent Of spring with smiling
fields and traversable roads the army O.
blcyClers have come from winter quarters
as though Information were a means Of in
crease. Not only may they be seen Gid
ing along the rural ways they are iondss
Of lrequenting, but in the mornings, after
moons aud evenings Of pleasant days the
parks aud boulevards are brighter and
more CHEEKY for the graceful movements
OF those numerous riders OF glittering
steeds. There has been a remarkable de-
Velopment Of this healthful sport In the
past two or three seasons, and with the In
crease Of bicycle owners there has come
organization until now every rider who Ia
not wholly practical in his use Of his vehl'
Gle ia member OF some club in which q
thorough discipline, looking TO the perfsc'
ton OF riding and the enobling Of sport,
Is enforced in drill and company riding.
Itnolongerrequiles moral courage to be-
stride bicycle, The early prejudice has
entirely died out, and the people OF all
ranks and conditions Of life confess the
manifold virtues Of the sport which has in
IL a large element OF practical utility. But
with the utmost that has been done the
wheelers OF the United States have hardly
kept pace with their brethren across tho
water, who have made organization effect.
i've In more ways than one, and who have
succeeded In securing al influence that
gives them not few political advantages.
1t Is estimated that there sre now not
less than 100000 bicycles and tricyles in
use in the United Kingdom, and that
there are about two hundred busily EN-.
ployed manufactures. There are per.
haps 800 clubs, the largest Of which, the
Cyclists Touring Club, numbers over H.
900 members, which has branches in varl.
our European countries and the United
States, Besides the individual clubs there
10 national union, embracing majority
OF the clubs. In all the principal towns
OF Great Britain and In many OF the chief
Cyclists have resident consuls, whose
duties correspond TO those Of regular
government consuls, that Is to
say they look alter and protect
the interests OF the visiting mem.
bers Of the union. In each Of these towns,
also, they have an official repairer to set
right anything that may be amiss with
machines. In every city, moreover, they
have their especial hotel where q fixed
and moderate tariff Ia observed for the
patroniztng wheelers. They have their
particular uniforms and badges, have
their own guide and hand books. The
National Union and Touring Club, be.
tween which there Is harmonious CO.
operation, look after the interests Of cy.
ciists in every possible way, and are
often instrumental to securing the modi.
flcation OF laws that are not favorable
to their proper interest. 1t Is said,
also, that they have revived the for.
mer practice OF having roads kept in re.
pair, which Was carefully observed when
coaching was in vogue, but which fell into
neglect when that one.time glorious sport
became q mere fad. A smooth road 10
essential to enjoyable wheeling, and 1t can
readily be understood how gladly country
towns with decaying inns and decrepit
trade would put forth an effort TO make an
easy way for the seduction Of the half
million wheelers bent on tours or brief
runs for rustic reireshment. Indeed, 1t Is
an agreeable fact that in not a few in.
stances the old country inns have been
resusCitated into something al their old
activity and prosperity by the new devel.
opment.
With the great improvements in the
make OF tricycles, those vehicles have come
into almost as great popularity as the two.
wheel affair. Formerly they were so heavy
and difficult to operate that walking was
preferable to their use. Now, however,
they are turned out as light as 10 pounds,
and are operated with such facility that
their speed Is considerably less than that
OF the bicycle, the difference in twenty.
four hours run being but thirty miles
The tricycle. especially recommends itself
10 the ladies', and English women are
making large use Of 1t. It has not yet be.
come popular in this country, but 1t will
inevitably under the recognition Of the
virtues OF this mode Of exercise and safe,
rapid transit. Our American clubs might
borrow some hints from the English for
general improvement.