Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-03

MkilN NJ' In these days Of rapid
tpAES&kW- transit, however, the
~gtsI.NHE~ wheelmen are endeavor-
ing to keep pace with the
times, and that number Of hours is by no means
required by an expert wheelman In which to
cover the distance The average time con-
sumed on century runs now is about thirteen
hours, and many Of them make the trips in even
less time when all conditions are favorable.
Concerning the century trips and the claims Of
many wheomen in that regard 1t Is generally
conceded that many claims to centuries are
without foundation. Most of the trips are made
on roads where there are no mile posts or where
there is no certainty Of the distance, SO that
when the end Of tho supposed century is reached
the rider has not covered anything like the 100
miles.
but very few century riders carry them, for
then they would have to ride the full distance,
and that, 1t is thought, would operate against
the chances of the rider covering the distance
in the allotted time.
''1f these wheelmen want to ride GEN.
turies," said local wheelman, "they
ought to go on the Shenandoah val
ley road, where there are many pretty
stretches along the good road From Staunton
to Winchester, a distance of ninety-six miles,
there Is an excellent road and mile posts all the
way give the rider a good opportunity of set
ting the proper pace to cover the distance in the
allotted time. Then there is an excellent stretch
of road in the direction OF Martinsburg, and in
riding centuries along the valley no one can
question the correctness Of the ride for there
arc hotel men all along the line to do the
timing"
THE FAvoRITE RUN FOR LOCAL cENTURIANs.
The favorite century ride for local wheelmen
is over the road from here to Frederick and
return, while many riders so over tho Balti-
more road, going by way Of Ashton. On the
former trip the end of the century is not far
from Silver Spring but the claim Of its ending
hundred mile ride is disputed by some Of the
wheelmen, while on the other route it is neces-
sary to do little extra riding in order to COM
plete the century after tho road between the
two cities has been covered.
RECORD BREAKERs.
The distance between this city and Baltimore
is different over the different routes, and for
that reason there are at present two claims for
the honor Of holding the record between the
two cities. Messrs John c. Wood and Harry
Ward are the riders who are claiming the rec
ord. The former rode over the long course
via Ashton, while the latter, 1t IL. claimed, COW
cred the distance on the pike, being several
miles shorter than the other route. Wood made
the trip in three hours and thirty minutes and
had a starter and timer. Later it was stated
that his record had been broken by Ward, and
1t was also stated that the latter rode over the
short course No matter what was done, the
course will be ridden again In few days to
establish late record, and Wood is confident
OF covering the forty-eight-mils route in about
three hours.
Ward may also make another trip over the
road, and the local wheelmen are anxious to
have them make the trip together, SO that
there can be no doubt left as to the time made
and to whom is entitled the credit of holding
| thn record.
As published in this column some weeks ago,
this is to be a season Of record breaking among
the fast riders, and already several good
records have been lowered, with bright pros
pects OF their being still further lowered later
In the season.
RUNS on THE ROAD.
During the past week the wheelmen have
had an enjoyable time on their wheels, and
there is scarcely q road leading from the city
that has not been travelled by the riders Of the
silent steed. Last Sunday the weather was not
all that could be expected, and therefore the
wheelmen did not turn out in such large num-
beers, although the clubs and unattached riders
| were more than fairly represented. Decoration
day the weather was delightful, and although
| the day before had been rainy the wheelmen
| turned out in full force and spent the day on
! the roads. As stated last Saturday, the Snen-
| lists on the train to Penmar and Gettysburg
saw the familiar faces Of Washingtonians gliding
| along on their iron horses through the beauti-
full country. whore many portions Of the road
| are much better than many haIf-worn concrete
| pavements. Then the other roads in Mary
land and Virginia were used on that day by the
| several hundred wheelmen who left hero for q
days outing.
LAMPS ON BICYCLES.
| the question Of lamps on bicycles. There is a
| police regulation which requires lights on BIZ
cycles. but it he's not been generally enforced
| recently. While most Of the good riders OBJ
ject to the lamp on their wheel, they do SO
| because OF its danger to the average pedes-
| TRAN. The presence of the light they argue,
only dazzles persons who walking, and in
| many cases prevents the rider from seeing the
| pedestrian until it is too late while on the
other hand tho pedestrian Is unable to tell
| exactly which way the wheelman is going to
! turn, and it is not at all improbable that both
| the rider and the pedestrian will turn the
| same way and cause a collision. While there
/ are some instances in which tho wheelmen
agree that riders should be arrested, it is not
for failure 10 have lamp, for there are SO
| many reasons why wheeLaan might not
happen to have a lamp on his wheel.
No later than Decoration day four boys were
| arrested for violating this ordinance or regula-
| tlOT, ana the arrest was maze outside the CITY
| limits beyond the Eastern branch. The boys
had ridden to Marlboro, and on their return
| they were later than they had anticipated and
| Policeman Hagan and MARI added four cases to
| their list With the boys there was no inten-
tional violation Of the law, but they were de-
tanned at the police station, and 1t was only be-
| cause good fortune smiled upon them that COL
lateral was left for their appearance and they
| were kept out Of prison cell all night The
| next morning when the case was taken to the
Police Court and investigated by Mr.. Pugh. the
| attorney, he took the view of the wheelmen
that the police should have used some dis
| erection in the matter and ended the case. The
boys got their money back and departed.
| CAPITAL BI CLUB.
Three outings is the record Of the Capital
| Bi Club for the week, and each was a perfect
success. On Sunday Capt Writ took the club
to Dickey's, but the attendance was decreased
by the threatening weather, although there was
| a large party on the run. It was intended to
make this affair grand reunion of the road
riders, but those who were afraid of the water
| expected from the heavens remained at home
and missed q genuine treat. All those who
| attended went up the Conduit road and ferried
across the river at Sandy landing, enjoying the
lively stroll through the woods to the old Dickey
house.
Preparations had been made for the party,
and the wait for spring chicken and hot bis
| cults was not long one pleasant time was