The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-12
THE RICHMOND WHEELMEN.
Yhs Organization Of a Club In This City
Last Evening.
OFFICERS FOR THE SUMNER ELECTED
The Interest Has Been Greatly Revived and
the Prospects for the Club arc Bright.
New Name VIII BE Selected.

The rapid growth of bicycling in Richmond
must per force have been noticed by even the
most casual observer. BY day and night the
silent horseman glides along the streets and
explores every suburban by-path.
The history OF cycling here has been Of q
ftful nature as far as regards organization,
but each time that an effort has been made IN
this direction there has been a stronger show
| of vitality and nearer approach to perna-
nent success. 1t may be confidently stated
now, however, that the wheelmen of Rich
mond are an organized body and their per-
| sonnet and character make it's future an as
| sured success.
THE BOYS IN MEETING.
Last evening twenty-six of Richmond's
incest boys met at Wiklnson's Hall with a
Wow OF organizing a Wheeman's club They
were al! enthusiastic riders. fellows with
muscle. big calves and goodlungs A tangled
heap of .Rlistening wheels of every pattern
piled IN front of the hall attracted the atten-
uoh OF TINES reporter. lie went in and re-
celyed warm reception.
W. Q. Mercer acted as temporary chairman.
and i. G. Wherry, Jr.. As secretary. A con-
sttution and bylaws were presented by f. NJ.
Long and were adopted with slight modifca-
tons
The following officers were elected for the
summer season Captain. Frank A. Steel;
First Lieutenant. E. NJ Long: Second Lieu
tenant. Writ Bowles, Secretary, b. C.. Wherry,
Dr.; Treasurer. Jackson Miller
Among those present at the meeting last
evening besides those already named. were
such well known wheelmen as j. +.
Tanner, w. G. Mercer. George finch, Warren
Mercer. Will McDonough, Joseph f. White,
Charles Frischkorn, j. X. Rouse, J. c. Shafer,
Jr. 5. J. Young W. r. Storrs. William Bar
rett. J. G. Mcllwaine, r. Mac Burlington,
Messrs. Robertson, Richardson, and others.
THE OLD DOMINION wHKEImrN.
The first and only club Of cyclists ever
formed in Richmond WAS the Old Dominion
Wheelmen. which was organized in 1884 and
reorganized in 1897. This club had men,
bership Of forty or moro wheelmen, and SUI
pervised the interesting bicycle races at the
several agricultural fairs in this city.
Iho Virginia Division of the League Of
American Wheelmen in Richmond in 1888 was
also under the auspices of this club.
The organization was disbanded in the
spring of this year when. on account of the
rainy season and for other causes, large
number OF its members ceased 10 ride. and the
club formed at the meeting last evening is
composed OF some of the best material Of the
old club, with a number of new and enthusi-
astlc riders added
In order 20 make the club more useful
and positive organization, II is proposed to
organize under new name to be announced
at the next meeting, and to incorporate the
organization. They will establish a club
room with all the cOnyeniences in the way of
dressing and bathrooms, repair shops and
other accessories with a janitOr In charge
The preliminary arrangements for this and
other important matters will be made at the
next meeting of the clue.
THE LADY wHEKLMKN
There is also q ladies club in this city and
there are fifteen or twenty regular lady riders
in Richmond who enjoy the sport equally as
much as the male wheelman. The exercise
IS found to be most excellent for ladies'. and
the enjoyment can be appreciated only by
those who know its delight from actual
experience. There are several hundred
cyclists in Richmond all told and the interest
IN the sport increases rapidly.
The new club contains ten or twelve of the
BEST riders in Virginia men who have ridden
the last hill IL the Capitol Square times with
out number, q feat greatly considered and
lately boosted of by visiting whesmen.
DR.. Frank r. Steel the captain of the
new club is leader in cycling matters and |
was captain Of the Old Dominion Wheelmen. |
He is also local consul for the American |
League and is one of the finest riders our |
State has ever had, and spends much of his |
leisure time sstride his machine
The members Of the club have been taking |
many pleasant spins this summer. One !
party visited Petersburg Sunday, and another
party Of FIVE ran over 10 Hanover Court |
house on the same day making the distance |
# twenty miles in two and half hours each |
way. The club will have an informal run to-
sether tomorrow evening.