The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-07
AMERICAN WHEELMEN.
Montana Now Forms q Division OF
the Rapidly Growing
League.
Uncle Sam Is Adopting the Speedy
Bike for His Mail Oar
riers.
What tho League OF Thirty Thousand
Riders Has Done to Advance the
"-- sport. .

bicycling Ia fast becoming one Of the
favolite methods of recreation and for
practical purposes Il healthy and enjoyable
exercise for both men md women. As a
matter of convenience and actual practical
utility IL is superior In some respects to
other means of %locomotion. because ready
for instant use, and tho speed TO be attained
by it is almost marvellous. The United
States government Ia adopting 1t for the
use Of tho mail carriers and the messenger
offices in the larger cities are invoking the
aid Of the bicycle. In kussin an order has
boon issued for the organization OF n bicycle
corps. The field infantry including tho
guards, will receive at onoe two wheels each
and in the near future two more. There
will eventually be a bicycle company of
eight ptivates and two officers in each regi-
ment. The work of the wheelmen will be
scouting and delivering dispatches. The
bicycles are now being made In the Russian
arsenals, and even the none for repairs
has already been appropriated.
While rapid riding ia nt times necessary
and desirable. tho main pleasure and profit
lies in taking a steady gait and retaining it
only SO long as is easy and natural; very
Aooe AAA W SAy AOAR RSAAOAS AZ ~
conducive to either health or pleasure. A
moderate gait with q knowledge of ones
ability to "Ay'' if necessary 10 one of the
greatest enjoyments to DO gotten out of q
bicycle. As an instance of tho speed to be
attained the following records are given:
w. W.. Windle beats the worlds record at
Springfield, ILL.,, a mile in 2:15. The
twenty-fi five mile record was made in one
hour, nineteen minutes. thirteen seconds.
In q recent bicycle tournament in Detroit
the winner, William Martin. rode 1,466
miles in forty-eight hours, an average
speed of over thirty miles an hour, a greater
speed than many PASSENGER train, make n.
over thirty thousand members, is doing
much to advance the interest of the cycling
fraternity everywhere. Concessions have
boon obtained from nearly all railroads for
carrying the bicycles free when accompan-
led by the riders. Special rates from the
hotels are also given. A division of the
league has been organized in Montana for
the purpose of obtaining the same privileges
that the members in the older states enjoy
such as reduced rates and racing tourna-
ments under the auspices of the league.
The Montana division is very DESTROYS OF
increasing its membership. While there
are many bicyclists in Montana all are not
aware of the benefits to be derived from be-
coming a member of the league. For
instance, a member is injured by being run
into by q team, perhaps purposely. The
league will take up n defend his case
the law recognizes the bicycle as a vehicle
entitled to all the privileges that any other
vehicle has.
The Helena wheelmen, a local club
members of the league, containing abou
thirty-tive members, has been much bene-
fitted through the league. Regular club
-, "a, hnxya Ino bald oil wan kIn rnrr~r
and much. enjoyed by all. Circulars and
pamphlets of interest will be gladly fur
nished by the chief consul Of Montana
division, H. q. Duerfelt, of this city.