Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-27
AMERICAN CNCLER ~ III ROPE.
lie Finds Nothing But Praise ~ say
Of IT, RGad>.

i.NtN VI vans tH'' "'r'f
\ few days ago Slr. Harry H. HoGgson.
one Of the oldest 'cyclers In the city, anu
the founder Of the local division II the
LEAGUE of American Wheelmen, returned
with his wife from quite an extended
tour OF Europe.
Mr.. Hodgson has possibly done more for
the bicycle riders Of this city than any
other person II has been his one hope
10 secure for the riders some system or
road lgislltion watch would give 90 the
public good roads throughout Louisiana.
Having made the question close study.
he realized the impOrtlnca OF the WORK,
and AT once attempted H. secure. the cali
ing Of a convention with the object of
placinC on a working basis plan Tor
iuuroving the miserable country roads OF
the State
while in Europe, Mr.. Hoigson paid par
tlcuiar attention 10 the cycling of that
country, and the roads which the 'cycl-rs
had at their command. Tie magnilcence
Of thes- thoroughiares was indeed. strik-
ing They showed even more clearly IN"
utter lack of pathways IN the south, and
the care!essness exhibited IN the con
struction Of the fw good roads OF which
the State can boast.
Speaking Of cycling Ia Europe, ana thc
bicycles used. especially in France. Mr.
Hodgson remarked that the foreign vince
WAS Of much heavier weight than the
American machine. and still II was not
more durable. The American wheel has
gained much prominence in France ana
especially In Paris. where II Is consul
cred the best. The French machine
weighs from thirty-two TO thirty-hFt
mounds. the American wheels weigh
q 70.
While in Paris Mr. liodgson witnessed
the races between Banker. Of Pittsburs.
and the Belgian champion tne Bel
..ian rider had defeated al the fast rider
of Europe. but when he met the Ameri-
can ~ was simply played with. Banker
allowed his rival 10 lead until the streicn
naar the finish, when h. went by him
With comparative ease. There were hun
Greis Of Americans at the race, and the
moneye won amounted 20 thousands.
Every bet was taken. and even odds
were given. The Americans showed their
true American spirit. and played on their
country representative IN every man
ner possible.
The cafes and restaurants all over
Europe cater TO the wheelmen. In the
early evenings he walters place on tn
sidewalk bicyc,e-stands and riders can
nave their machines locked up. ana when
they are ready to depart they presen, a
check and their wheel is released.
II is common sight 10 see from ten
to twenty wheels az one time In front OF
cafes and restaurants Of the cities or
Europe The craze for cycles has swept
oyer the world, and the number OF riders
is wonderful. I'm Europe this growth IS
not 50 extraordinary for the reason that
Tho country roads are 50 magnificent.
Among he most famous Of the roads
and possibly the most magnificent piece
Of engineering In the world. is the drive
way from Nice to Monte Carlo. IL Is the
C9rniche road. mad in the side OF the
mountain. The surface "a Of the hardest
broken granite. and is KEEP, In such con-
slant reps r. that Il is actually 0s smooth
as billiard table. The foundation was
SO properly Laid and the road itself 50
well drained that five minutes after rain
10 is dry. There are cutters on the road
side and thesl cutters are drained al
Intervals 70 deep dltchos where the water
is held until carried n again and dis.
trlhutei among streams.
In France every department cares for
the roads. which are kept In the most
perfect repair. Should one department
nave a surplus. after the roads In that
section are properly attened 20. that
money instead 81 lying Idle. Is expended
in laying ont another road. and when
! more money can DC secured this new