New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-11

perennial satisfaction. The bicycle vacation TRIP
was indeed a distinct success and VIII unoouD'eu-
ly prove only the prelude to future extended out
ings a-wheeL
DELAY AT THE BEGINNING.
The plan had been to get under way by o'clock
In the morning but rain is respecter OF persons
and II was not until almost that the start was
made Half an hour before that time the weather
was still threatening, and even when the WORK OF
strapping the bags to the wheels OF the two mas
culine members of the party began 1t was doubt
ful whether they would really so that day. This
was a not altogether suspicious beginning OF the
journey. but when everything was ready the sun
shone out brightly. and it really seemed that an
erd had been made of the protracted rainy season.
The afternoon-whatr remained Of Improved TO be
fine one and though there was a hard shower In
the evening the travellers were safe under roof
and minded IL not at all.
But this six hours delay had caused some change
in the pan. While the journey to Montauk was,
naturally to be along the south shore. II had been
determined to have a little taste OF the north
shore at the beginning and the first days run. &C
cording to the programme. was to take in Flushng
and Roslyn, then cross the island by Garden CITY
and Hampstead and wind up at Rockville Centre or
Freeport That would have made thirty or thirty
FIVE miles. which was simply cut in TWO Dy taxing
the direct route 20 Freeport.
1t is needless to say more than word In COM
mendation of the superb Rockaway ana MerrlcK
roads which were in the very pink OF condition
after the prevailing rains. and along which the
whees seemed to go of themselves Liberty ave,
in Brooklyn and the approaches thereto were
avoided by taking the Kings County Elevated
Railroad That is a great blessing-really a means
Of grace" considering the amount OF strong
language which 1t restrans-but one cannot re-
frain, in passing. from noting the reflection on
Brooklyn which resort to the elevated road I'M
plies May 1t not long continued!
DELIGHTFUL SIDEPATH RIDING.
The heavy shower Of Saturday night, superadded
10 the preceding rains made dust impossible on the
following day. and the run to Patchogue was an
unbroken succession Of delights This part Of Long
Island is we'll and favorably known to hundreds
and thousands of bcyclers but a word or two
may be said for the benefit of those who have not
had personal experience of 1t. 1t is mistake to
suppose that the Merrick Road continues all the
way to Patchogue. or even to Babylon Soon after
passing Amityville the road becomes heavy, not
having been macadamized in Suffolk County and
resort to the sidepath is necessary. This Is fine
broad and hard and appears to be freely given up
TO the Of wheelmen except. perhaps. in the
hearts OF the villages that are passed through.
1t 10 superb riding. especially through the Islip
region and on through Oakdale and Sayville. Much
Of the way the path is beautifully shaded. and 1t
would be hard to imagine anything more pleasure
BILE than the ride on a COOL though sunny afternoon
under the shadows OF the beautiful oaks which
abound In the vicinity of the Vanderbilt Well. 1t
must be taken to be appreciated. and will well
pay any who makes the journey, even IL the
return trip is on the prosaic railway train.
1t may be added that our travellers enjoyment
of the sidepath at first diminished by the
natural fear consequent upon reading at Free
port, in the neighborhood paper. that sapient
Justice Of the Peace in one Of the Long Island
towns had imposed fine upon a young man for
riding on a sidewalk IN certain village. and had
decided that under the general Highway law 1t
was an offence punishable by fine OF $50 for
bicycle to be ridden sidewalk or sidepath In
any part Of the State. Tho trio ventured 1t all
tho same and even the warning posted at the out
skirts OF Babylon not sufficient to drive them
from the beautiful walk, which not living
creature was to be seen. into the more or less
sandy road. Then too. there were unmistakable
signs that other bicycles had gone there before.
In the villages however. and wherever many
people were seen on the walk ahead, they be-
took themselves to the carriage way.
The L. A. w. "Roadbook' warns riders against
using sidepaths in Babylon and Quogue. but the
warning can be taken with some allowance, as the
experience In Babylon showed and the next day In
Quogue It was found that sidepath riding was the
prevailing custom. Without sdepaths indeed, the
south side of Long Island would be practically In
accessible to the wheelman.
OVER THE SHINNECOCK HILLS
After a pleasant stay in Patchogue. from which
with dificulty Henrietta was torn away at 1890
Monday morning. came the ride to Good Ground
II was fairly good wheeling all the way: no walk
Ing save for twenty thirty rods In the woods
west Of Good Ground where a bit OF sand
met with. In the direction with the ad-
vantage of a slight down grade this sand
could be ridden without much dnicuty.
On this day. and also the previous one. the
cyclometer Of pater familias. in which he has
good degree OF confidence. having frequently tested
Il by the mestones on the Coney Island PATH
eegistered thirty-seven miles. and these were the
longest runs made journey covering fourteen
1aya Hence 1t is easy to see that these travellers