The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-02
The Whir -.
of The Wheel.

ures will be taken 70 improve themF
The time is not far distant when the
needs OF the large percentage OF hicn-
| mond's citizens who are inveterate
vtecImen will be considered in street
improvements, and the question, what
can be done In reasonably cheap ana
nracticsl way 10 benefit wheelmen on our
streets az al present laid, is not untime-
ly.
The chief need OF wheelmen is smooth
| track, free from mud.
on streets paved with Belgian --ocK'
such as Main, Broad. Clay, and other
tboroughfares. this might be attained al
a small cost by covering the paving next
10 the curling on either side to width OF
ten feet with a thin layer OF asphalt.
Then bicyclers would keep on the right
| hand side going in either direction, and
! thus be out OF the way Of the princi-
( pal stream OF moving vehicles. or II
, this space is considered the most valua'
BILE for vehicles, a track OF this character
might be made covering the two street
! car tracks. and the intermediate space
| between them.
Such a track would I'll all the needs OF
] the bicyclers and would also improve the
streets to some extent for vehicles.
on unpaved streets such as Grace and
! Franklin. which have broad paved cutters
| Of either cobble or granite. the CUTTERS
might be treated to a coat OF the same
material and a most excellent bicycle
track out of the ordinary run Of vehi-
| ces would be secured that could be traF'
| elcd In all weathers
/ For new improvements. I would sug-
! gest that instead Of making the street
drains OF granite blocks. to construct
| them of granoithlc paving.
This would secure perfect drainage,
make STRENGTHENING very easy and Sc
cure what is greatly needed for the use
Of many citizens, good bicycle track.
COMMON FAULT.
The most common fault among new
riders, both men and women, IS 10 ride
With the saddle too low. II = not only
awkward and unsightly, but they lose
more than half the comfort and pleasure
| OF the wheel.
The best way TO determine the proper
| length. is to adjust the saddle so that
| when you are sitting on the bicycle Will
your leg extended. your heel will just
reach the pedal. This will give your foot
a proper position and enable you to sc.
cure more power and comfort.
Oling a bicycle is as essential to the
| machine as food IS to the rider
There are two classes Of oilers-one who
oils too much. and the other not at all,
and the latter | believe. Is much the
larger in Richmond.
/ have listened at the noises Of a mum.
| Der of wheels during an evening as they
went whiring by on the road. and
| large percentage of the lot would be
| making a racket Of some sort that could
| be remeded by a Judicious use Of oil.
| | have heard wheelmen say that there
| was something the matter with their
wheels which they could not understand
! when the metal thing was crying out
for drop of oil at every revolution.
! DON'T DESERVE A WHEEL.
| was asked last Thursday to look at
a new wheel that had been ridden for
two weeks to see If i could tell what
the trouble was. The owner said II was
| "screeching" and that he could not tell
the reason. / asked him II he had put
any oil on the bearings that day. lie
said he had not, and did not know how
| to do it. therefore had ridden the wheel
two weeks continuously without lubri.
cation. lie does not deserve to own
wheel.
Lady riders as rule. meyer oil their
wheels.' said a dealer last week, and
then they wonder why they'ever wear
out" lie was then taking a ladys BIZ
cycle to pieces 10 give 1t a thorough
cleaning and overhauing.
The balls in the bearings we're FURNISH
ed until they looked like frosted silver
|
| oil they contained a black. dry dust.
She had ridden the wheel since March
without drop OF Oil.
Use your oil can often and sparngly
and your wheel will improve with use.
Neglect It. and you will soon want an.
other wheel
SoLEr Up
There Is no let UP in the growth Of the
| wheeling mania. More new riders are on
the road than ever before. and may be
told by the confident air they wear. no
less than by the wavy line their wheels
make in the dust. The beginners occu-
by every side street in the early moon.
| light, and the bicycle dealers still wear
a satisfied smile.
They are on the suburban roads and
lanes before the sum is up in the morn.
ing. and turn out in droves In the early
| afternoon.
The raids upon the wild flowers is terri
fic. and every bicycler, the wheel-woman
in particular, returns to the city with
| bunch of daisies larger than the one iB
the Womans Edition Of The Times
| Blackberry blooms, red and crimson clO-
YER, and other wild flowers are also eager
~ sought after, but daisies are the bicy.
| clers' fayorltes.
wHErLMEN SHOULD JOIN l.. A. ".
|
an organization whose aims. objects, and
accomplishments recommend IL TO riders
of the wheel. In the language OF the pre-
amble to its constitution the league is
| AN organization TO promote the general
interests of cycling; to ascertain. defend
| and protect the rights of wheelmen; to
facilitate touring; to regulate the govern
! ment of all amateur sports connected
| with the use OF the wheel and to Sc
cure Improvement In the condition of the
| public roads and highways b. promoting
| in the public mind a sense Of the utility.
| general economy. and desirabllity Of
high-class roads and an active sentiment
in their favor" The L. A. w. is a ma.
tional body. including all State divisions.
and the relations between them are SINH
lar 10 those of the Federal government
and the individual States. Every men,
Der acquires the right to legal protection
| by his State division or by the national
body If the issue be Of national import.
ance. This right has been OF avail on
many occasions. Every member is given
facilities for obtaining information by Of
hcers OF the organization. 10 whom his
| ticket Of membership is a sufficient intro
duction. The league has done wonders
in the way OF opening the field for bi.
cycle sport, and has made II possible fot
wheelmen 10 go with their machines on
any road or highway in the United States
where any other carriage may 60 The
membership numbers up in the tens Of
thousands. The State meets of the l..
W. are events OF great Importance and
the annual national meet Is the biggest
bicycle event Of the year in this country.
In word the L. a. W. Is the governing
body In bicycle matters in the United