The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-10-23
ALL AMONG THE WHEELMEN
Zig-Zag Club Has a Spacious and Con-
venient New Clubhouse.
l. A. w. Racing Board Will Net Allow john
ston's Fast Mile at Independence
Republican Bicycle Club.

The Zig-zag Club secured and located in
new home last week. 1t IS the first house
north of the high-school, on Pennsylvania
street, and is q large, two-story brick. con-
tanning ten rooms, with large and spacious
parlors for reception-rooms. Paper-hangers
and decorators were busy in it throughout
the week. Carpets were laid and every
thing gotten into the best OF shape
for its occupancy. Every member
of the club heralds the change with
satisfaction. The old quarters on New
York street had long since outgrown the
comfort and needs of the rapidly growing
band of wheelmen. and along toward the
last months of occupancy the first man
TO get there was the one who got the easiest
chair, while the rest located as best they
might. The present quarters give the club
the finest house IN the State. and one OF
which il may well be proud, as 1t is due to
its unaided efforts that IL is able TO enjoy
it. night in the near future Will be
selected for house-warning.
1t has come to be an accepted fact that
the l.. A. w. racing board will never allow
]. s. Johnston's mile in 1:56 35 to stand as
q record, although it has promulgated the
fact that there can be no reasonable doubt
hut that it was made. The reason given
is that johnson rode behind a sulky drawn
by a horse. thus breaking the wind. and
giving the rider great advantage. In
the racing board came to the named
conclusion. novel experiment. had
been planned in the East by one
of the big cycling manufacturers
Windle was the man who had been select
I'D &c lend his speed TO the scheme. 1t was
determined to pave a mile between the
tracks of q level stretch of railroad. where
everything was favorable. and then. start
Ing an engine and working it ND TO q speed
Of nearly mile O minute, letting the rider
fall In behind it, see what be could do.
Experts believed that Windle. aided by
the absence OF any resisting force, so COCA
stoned. would be able to ride the mile
down somewhere near 1:3O or lao. How
ever, when the racing board decided that q
record made IN that or like manner would
not stand the idea. was abandoned. Riders
would like to seed it tried, ana it would be
o sight to behold to see Windle tearing
down a railroad track behind living loco
motive. 1t Is safe to say that the fireman
Or that engine would have to shovel coal
TO keep her out of the way.
The Republican Bicycle Club will partioi-
pate in the great Reid-Depew demonstra-
tion to morrow evening and will meet at
it's club-rooms at o'clock sharp. 1t is ex-
pected that the new uniforms will be ready
by that time, and full attendance is de-
sired.
On Thursday evening of this week the
club will make arun to Greenwood to attend
the Republican rally to be held there at
that time. The start will be made at
o'clock, and all Republican wheelmen are
invite 10 participate
Otis X. Lowe and his brother Arthur. of
Detroit. Mich. made century run last
week TO Cambridge City and return. LOG
miles. In spite of the dusty roads they
made it In a trifie over eleven hours.
Ed Eads. the Zig-zag's trombonist. has
has been laid up nearly all week with Q
severe attack of rheumatism.
Carl Fisher. of Hay x willstts. has re-
corded his second severe tumble within the
past few weeks. He took the last one off
the same high wheel. but instead of it's
being on o secluded country road it was on
crowded Pennsylvania street. where he
swepI ND the asphalt for forty feet He
didn't have to take to lint and bandages
again. bat he has a Beau Brummel limp.
The newest thing that is being discussed
by riders and racers in particular 10 the
slliptical sprocket. Johnson rode q ma
chine with that attachment when he made
his famous mile. and it was argued that the
sprocket had great deal TO do with it.
but shortly after Murphy, an Eastern
crack. tried it. and his competitors, with
the old-fas hioned sprocket. tan away from
him.. 1t was determined to give 1T
o final trial at the Chicago races
yesterday. but with what result is not yet
known. The elfiptical sprocket was first
designed to be used as an assistance in hill
climbing and it's fundamen tai principle is to
do away with dead centre. If all that is
claimed for il Is accomplished, it Will rev.
olutionize racing. and bring the time for
mile down where running horse Will have
TO look after his laurels.
Portland. Ore. has q set of city fathers
In whose veins young and active blood
must never have coursed. They hate BIZ
cycle and they earn ed that hate to the bit
Ter end by passing an ordinance which COM
pels the rider of bicycle. under penalty
Of heavy line for infringement to dis
hundred feet of q horse driven or ridden by
person. minute examination under
some of those councilmens hats might re-
real sprOutlng ears.
A bicycle has been patented in England
which can be taken apart and done up in
bundle like a satchel in n very few mo-
ments, and another that collapses in the
form OF walking-stick.
The latest version of the popular song i'm
mortalized by Lottie Collins is as follows
have n friend in Man-es-quan,
His name Is Arthur Zimmerman,
He Is the worlds wheel cham pi-On,
just try and beat him IL you can.
Ta-ra-ra boom-de-ay, etc.
The wheelman's parade Friday night was
something of o novelty in Indianapolis az
least. lt is the hardest possible thing for
q bicycle contingent to parade sand
wiched in between horse and foot. and it
was due TO that fact that many riders IN ade
no effort at the unusual. The Zigzag Club
made a request TO be allowed to go in tho
lead, that they might ESCAPE the an
noyance of having TO DO continually
getting on and off, but 10 was refused them.
The costuming and decorations or. the
riders. which were noted at length in yes
terday's Journal. were in many instances
models of taste and ingenuity and in others
the height of gr0tesqueness as they were
aimed to be. The riders are congratulating
themselves on the success of their turnout.
Harry Hearsey and Ed Eads have pur-
chased the dog which they intend taking
with them when they tour .'en- bicy Gle"
after the uncertain quail. lt is of non
descript breed. black in color, and war
ranted not TO shy at meadow-larks. just
now be is the recipient of amending fav0rs.
and is a great dog bnt his friends fear for
his future after the first trip.