The morning call., 1890-06-01
THE W HEEL.
sidewalk RidiDg-The Century Run To-

Sidewalk RidiDg-The Century Run To-
Day.
Last week, in Alameda, an old lady was run
into by bcyclist, who is said TO have been riding
on tie sidewalk. The lady suffered greatly from
the shock, and feeling of Indignation was
aroused among the residents OF Alameda against
wheelnen This feeling materislzsd 10 a me-
mortal to the Board of Supervisors complaining
OF the action of wheemen in riding on the side
walks instead OF In the streets.
There has probably been more written and said
about this practice of cyclists than almost any
thng else In the wheeling line. Every sensible
ana well-meaning rider condemns ii heartily.
Still there are few rattle Drained fellows who
cannot be induced 10 abandon it, and the actions
OF these few bring opprobrlum on wheelnen as
class.
This should be different. 1t has only been by
the utmost hard work that blcyclists have by
degrees overcome the great prejudice that for
meIly was directed against them. Parks are
now opened 10 their use, and a rider OF wheel
has been accorded equal privileges with tile occu-
pant OF any other yenicle. But no vehicles, ex-
ceptlng possibly perambulators, are permitted
to use the sidewalks and bicyclists should not
presume TO abuse their privileges. Ii they DO
the inevitable must result and wheelmen will be
debarfed from many rights they now enjoy. Us
ually those who ride al bTeaSneck speed along
much iIayeled streets and use the sidewalk III
stead OF the roadway because IL Is easier wheel
ing do not belong to clubs, but are unattached
Club members should on every occasion ask
these harum-s earum siders 10 conform TO the reg
uldlluus THAI HhNo Dteu tnGCltu inc govern
ment OF wheelmen.
This morning at 5 O'Clock the long xpected
country run was started from Twenty first ana
Mission streets. About 100 were expected to
leave tile city. but IL is sale TO predict that not
really that number viii reach Hoilister Tonight
If they keep to their wheels. Still Billy Meeker
Is very experienced as Il conductor OF long runs
and there Is no doubt but What lie will make tile
pace with such good judgment that only a COM
parat1ycly green man, or a very poor rider will
be unable to tnisl
Ralph W. Thompson Chief Consul, is just now
enjoying his vacation aud will take several tours
before 1t expires.
Wheelmen are very scarce In the northern part
of the STATE. In CHICO, town OF 1000, there are
probably not half a dozen riders. Marysyllie
has scarcely as many. Colusa may have Il few
more. The reason for The non-pOpularty of
wheeling Is probably the extremely dusty cOudl-
ton Of the roads in summer, which allows the
rider no place excepting The streets 10 the center
of The towns, which are usually Kept hard by
sprinkllng.
There we're large humber of wheelmen who
and watched the races with great deal OF in
teresl.
The bicycIsts are looking forward to having a
track OF their own In the park some day. AT the
last meeting OF the Commissioners Tie project
was introduced, and only the lack OF funds pre-
vents IL from being carried into execution.
Tie track at San Jose Is going forward rap
idly and 10y the Fourth Of July It's condition viii
be perfect, so that fast Tine will undoubtedly be
made.