Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-01-31


Cycling in winter is an entirely different
thing from cycling in summer. There are
thousands of people who cannot see how
any real pleasure can be derived from
trip on the silent steed' through bleak
winds and over rough, icy roads. from
which there is but little variation from the
middle of December to the middle OF
March.
"But we do enjoy it immensely" re-
marked an enthusiastic Chester wheelman,
who was accosted by reporter yesterdayin
the corridor of Wilmington hotel. "fhere
are but few days in the whole year, he
continued, when am not on my wheel.
The conditions of things have to be very
bad IL they prevent me from taking trip
on my bicycle. | use it in my business;
in fact, l could not get along without it
there, and after business hours | want
nothing better than ride out in the pure
air.
Now about winter cycling, can ex-
press myself from my own experience. If
indulged in moderately and if the rider
dresses properly, the only difference
noticeable is the uneyenness of frozen
roads, which, of course, is not near SO per-
ceptible now, since the advent of the
pneumatic tire as it was in former years.
when we knew nothing but the solid
rubber.
Sometimes we get our wheels into
pretty bad places owingatU the frozen sur
face of the roads, but rs q rule, on high
ways that are i'll constant llse the riding is
not SO bad as one would imagine. So that,
by picking your way along carefully you
can generally lind the riding pretty easy,
while the sharp wind is as Il rule pleasant
THE only parts of the body that do get
cold are the hands and face. which are
more or less exposed But wheelman
does not care how cold his face gets so his
ears and nose don't freeze and break off,
and as for his hands he can stop and warm
them, or even bundle them up sufficiently
before starting to preserve comfortable
temperature. The only time wind
bothers me is when its codrse-or rather
mine-is head-to, or when | catch 4 gale
obliquely. Under such conditions naviga-
ton is more or less difficult, and of course
great deal Of extra muscular force is
necessary to overcome the difficulty And
many time when | return from a winter
ride am very tired aud my clothing is sat
urated with perspiratiun, so hard has been
the work Of propelling my wheel against
strong wind.
II am kept in excellent health by riding
constantly. lido not allow myself to catch
a cold from q trip in winter. always
study the temperature and condition Of
the atmosphere before | venture out and
dress myself accordingly. | am also care
full to rub myself down after every hard
run, and firmly believe that by follow.
ing the dictates OF good Judgment and
observing such practices AS ! know are
correct have been more benefited by con-
slant use of the wheel than by any other
one thing.
YES, | find great deal of enjoyment
in my winter trips, and also find that my
body is gradually becoming less sllscepti-
Bile to the changes in temperature. all of
which believe to have been brought on
by my practice Of riding wheel through
all kinds OF weather. My wheel is my
best Misunderstanding my family, OF
>. course-ahd could not think of parting
with it or treating 1t rs Il delicate child. II
is healthy aud SO am |, and we
Always go together,
And never mind the weather.
wilmington is II favortc place for
Chester boys and there is scarcely Il sun
day passes hut what some Of our boys are
in your city,
Captain ltumford of the Chester Bicycle
CLUB was in the city lew days ago. lie is
also great lover Of his wheel and can be
seen out III any kind OF weather. He and
companion from the Chester club started
for home shortly before D O'Clock last
evening, ana they hoped to reach their
destination before dark, which they most
likely accomplished as both are experts on
the wheel,
Quite Il number of Wilmington bows
were out last sunday, Some went To
Centreville some to New Castle and some
took short iaun,N III other directions. The
boys all seemed 10 enjoy their cold ride
judging from the spirits they were in
when the CLUB house was reached.
Captain Holt says he intends to call 1
run for some Sunday when there is nc
snow on the ground. lie is anxious t
see what kind OF u response he could gel
and how the boys take to cold weatne
riding.
BICYCLE CLuB RECEPTION.
The Wilmington Bicycle Club will give
reception to its members and their friend
ON Monday night February 4th, at til
new club-rOom No. GIL Shipley street. Til
affair will be OF an Informal character, :
musical programme will he given AIN
lunch will be provided. The idea is to in
stall sociabillty into the new organization
and make the members better acquainted
The present membership OF the cluO i
about no.
The club has extended invitations to tn
Chester Bicycle Club. the PeunsvIvaui
Bicycle CLUB Of Philadelphia and the Pen
Nheemen Of Heading, to be present 1
the reception. The press of the city wi
also be invited.
CYCLING NOTES.
A Chicago bicycle firm has put upon tn
market All attachment for wheels whiG
renders the latter usctul ON ice and con
pact snow. The rear wheel, which &c
as driver. is fitted with spurs which hol
the ice, while the front wheel is detache
and is replaced by runner. The devit
is found to be practicable and is likely
come into common use i'll locations whel
there is great deal OF snow and ice
A meeting of the race committee of II
Wilmington Bicycle Club will be he
soon to make arrangements for a b
spring tournament.