The morning call., 1891-07-05
A BOLD RIDER
OF THE WHEEL.
Nelson A. Bradt Arrives From
New York on a Bicycle.
Incidents of the Trip The Wheelman's Tin
erary-A Splendid Average-Fish-
ing on the Way.

Yesterday as the grand military and civic
parade was disbanding a lone bicycist ar
rived from New York, fresh and hearty TO
all appearances. after a ride which, from
start to finish, lacked but few days of fill
ing three months Of his history. He was
accompanied by his faithful roadster, which.
though it had long ago lost its jaunty fresh
ness of appearance, was still in serviceable
condition.
The wheelman was Nelson A. Bradt of
Johnstown, n. Y. He made the trip partly
for pleasure and partly for business, his
connection with the Eastern : resS offering
him opportunities for correspondence, of
which he availed himself largely on his
transcontinental ride. He was favored with
fair weather from first TO last, and his jour
ney was made particularly pleasant by the
friendliness of the wheelmen's clubs en-
route.
BRADT'S ITINERARY.
Mr.. Bradt left New York on April 9th,
and travelled by way of Buffalo, Chicago,
Kansas City, Topeka, Denver, Salt Lake,
Ogden and Sacramento. He completed tho
first stage Of his journey, Chicago (9SG miles
from the starting point, in ten days. Rest
ing there for six days he resumed his jour
ney on April 25th and pushed his way by
Quincy. ILL.,, to Kansas City, where he ar
rived nine days later. he spent four days at
this place, and on May Sth made a fresh start
via Topeka over the prairie to Denver, rid,
ing through five inches of snow on the way
when about twenty or thirty miles east of
Colorado Springs.
He put up at Denver on the 2Sl OF
May, and next morning pushed forward
for Leadville- 1t took him eight days of
hard work 10 cross the mountains, which,
hpsiIaS hpiuc CoV,rpH with
a thick mantel of snow, and then another
eight days were spent In the saddle before
he gave his wheel a rest in Salt Lake. This
was the most trying portion of his trip. as
he had to sleep outdoors during all of the
sixteen days.
TAKEN WITH FEVER.
On June 4th, after five days rest, Mr..
Bradt babe good-by to Salt Lake. He
reached Ogden next day and was there
stricken down with fever and ague Re-
covering after nine days siege he set out
again on June oath, crossed the SierraS,
dropped down by Sacramento into the land
of gold and climate and pursued his course
without stop to the Golden Gate.
The ventureSome wheelSman's outfit con-
sisted of full riding suit, one extra suit
SHIRTS, collars and toilet necessaries, pair OF
revolvers, fishing tackle and. blankets
weighing in all about twenty pounds. He
stopped at every likely stream and Ished
with plenty of success. On very warm DAYS
he rested during the midday and pushed
forward at night.
On January LIST, instead of resolving to
turn over a new leaf, as many young men
do, Mr.. Bradt determined to make A 10000
mile record with his bicycle during the year.
Between New Years and his start on his
present trip his cylometer registered 24S5
miles, to which he has just added 4420 miles
"a MS meanderings across the continent, a
total of 6905 miles 50 far
STRIKING THE AVERAGE.
In doing his APO miles he consumed
eighty-six days from start 10 finish, twenty
four Of which were spent in the cities en-
route. There were, consequently, sixty-two
riding days. which give an average of sew
enty-one and fifth miles covered by the
rider every twenty-fouf hours. On good
roads like those between New York and
Chicago he frequently covered as much as
100 miles.
Mr.. Bradt will spend the next week or ten
days in this city. He will then go to Dem
yer on q visit to his brother, and from there
will take the railroad to New York.