Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-24

not what they ought to be they compare favor
| ably with the suburban roads of other cities.
In the city the smooth surface is not only
adapted to pleasure riding, but also to the
practical riding Of the several thousand per-
sons who ride exclusively for business purposes.
The magnificent distances on the outside afford
the pleasure seekers many country routes which
are not only pleasant but lead to inviting re-
sorts where the appetite, sharpened by the ride,
can be satisfied. While these advantages are
enjoyed by the resident wheelmen there is still
one thing lacking. and that is q bicycle track
upon which fair tests Of speed can be shown,
and upon which races might be given. In the
matter OF authorized race meets this city has
heretofore played an unimportant part, and
only for the reason that there is no track here
upon which the good racers can invite outsiders
here to use. If there was anything like q first
class track here there would naturally be some
| race meets to increase interest In cycling, but
as 1t Is the fast men will not come. Indeed, the
local men cannot invite them. The only track
here now 10 that in the Y. M. C. A. grounds, but
the wheelmen refrain from saying hattering
things about it as q race track and declare that
not until there 10 decent track will they invite
outsiders Zimmerman will now ride in Amer
lea again and many Of the local men would like
to have him come here, but cannot do so be-
| cause they have no track upon which he can
ride.
HOW TRACK MIGHT BE SECURED.
The question Of building a suitable track is
agitating the minds Of the club men Just now.
and the question il to be discussed among the
clubs ct their next meetings. 1t il likely, there
fore. that . committee Of the clubs will be
formed to take charge Of the matter and de-
wise some means Of starting track fund The
purchase Of ground enough for a track is
thought to be out Of the question. but the
wheelmen think that with a ten years lease Of
q conveniently situated piece Of property they
would be able to make a track pay. Ithas been
suggested that an excursion be given under
the auspices Of the several clubs interested in
racing, event which would attract a great
many persons and for which enough tickets
could be sold to make the event q profitable
one and which would start The fund with enough
money to insure success.
In addition to the excursion the individual
clubs might make moves in other directions
beside receiving subscriptions which would
raise the fund to enough to build frst-class
track.
Then it is thought the track should be so
situated that the public could reach it on line
Of cars IN short while and also be easy Of ac-
cess to the wheeimen The plan as suggested
by some OF the wheelmen provides for the
erection Of club house, the privilege to be
sold to the highest bidder, and the renting of
lockers, the funds from this source to be ap-
piled to the maintenance Of the track and
grounds.
W uLe no ueunlte oCtlOn mas Doen taken on the
question as yet, 1t 10 more than probable that
committees will soon be appointed to consider
the matter and report thereon at later date.
Club runs are being much better attended
this year than heretofore. and seldom does .
Sunday pass that the clubs are not we'll repre-
ception and the riders got along with the I'M
pleasant experience OF rain storm such as
overlook many Of them the previous Sunday.
GEORGETOWN CYCLE CLUB
Capt Cook Of the Georgetown Cycle Club
has extended an invitation to all wheelmen to
take advantage Of the pleasant runs of the club,
and as there are to be two runs to no one place
With the exception Of Dickey's there will be
something Of variety which will be well worth
enjoying. There was q large attendance of
members and guests on last Sundays run to
River View.
1.-The road between here and River View has
been badly slandered," says Capt Cook, "or
else it is in exceptionally good condition Just
now. The road bed itself is nothing of which
a solid side path for wheelmen almost the en-
tire distance"
The run Melted more amusement than any
run OF the season. It was the intention Of
those on the trip to remain and return on the
last boat and they did it, Although tho run
was an amusing one, Second Lieut.. H. E.
Nordzy met with painful accident and had to
hold up at "a blacksmith shop for repairs. He was
riding through the tall grass too far to the side
when suddenly his wheel struck the stump Of a
tree and sent him headlong to the road. Sew
eral inches Of skin from his hand remained on
the road Although painfully injured he
mounted his silent steed when it was brought
from the blacksmith shop and continued along
to the end of the journey. reaching there at
II 80 o'clock. Dinner was ordered for o'clock,
and at that hour thirty hungry mortals occu-
pied seats at the largest table in the dining
nd ami a1 fDrp had NV
Randall's steward.
After the disappearance Of what had been
spread on the table the wheelmen adjourned to
the green lawn, intending to participate in
everything from the ''hit-the- head you-get-a-
cigar" to ''the band played Annie Rooney at
the merry go-round.
The wheelmen took possession Of the track
and gave the excursionists an exhibition of
racing on a rough surface and they rode five
miles in about nineteen minutes. After sun
down the riders Of the silent steed enjoyed the
cool and refreshing country air and returned
home on the boat There were only five lamps
in the party, and policeman who thought he
would make a number of cases stepped aside to
give the ''scorchers" plenty of room.
Wednesday evening the club made trip to
the Chain bridge. and tomorrow a run will be
made to Brookville. Dinner at Mrs. Miller's.
CAPITAL BI CLUB.
On the bulletin board in the beautiful home
of the Capital Bi Club is written:
"Who?
"Three days tour, July 2, 8 and T."
A number of members have already signed
their names, signifying that they will Join the
party, and others are expected to sign between
now and the time of starting. Capt. Writ has
made arrangements for an enjoyable three days
outing Of the club on this occasion, and the
trip will be made over some OF the best roads in
Pennsylvania. 1t is the intention Of the cap
tain to have the clut start from Baltimore and
go to Philadelphia over the Lancaster pike via
Lancaster.
The club run last Sunday was made to Rock
willie over route seldom travelled bv wheel
men or horsemen on the way to Montgomery's
county seat From the club house the wheel
men rode to Tenleytown and thence to the
seven locks via the river road which is billy and
rough most of the way. Leaving the seven
locks they rode direct to Rockville and had din
ner at the Maryland House. Tomorrow the
club will go to Frying Pan. the name Of place
about eight miles from Fairfax Court House.
On the 9Th Of July Messrs F. s. Hardesty and
w. F. Biehl will start on a two weeks tour
through the Shenandoah valley. It is their in
tention to 60 from here to Leesburg and from
there to Summit Point, W. Va. They will
spend two DAYS at Summit Point and will then
ride down the valley. visiting the caverns of
Luray, Lexington. Staunton. New Market caves
ana will perhaps 60 as far as the Peaks of Otter.
While the road riders are ENJOYING the coun-
try trips the members of the whist club are IN
Chicago adding laurels to their past fine record.