The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-27

Potomac.
While the streets Of Richmond may not
be In as good condition as they should.
still there IL excellent surburban riding
and as q bicycle racer who trained mere
last wear expressed II. there is no better
fye-rniIe stretch for training in the
United States than Major Ginters
roads"
II is very curious under what dimcul-
ties the sport will thrive. Take Lynch
burg, for instance. Every one who abs
been to that city Will decall the seeming
impossibility of bicycle overcoming us
hills, yet the cranka OF that city are as
rampant as those under more favorable
conditions.
While there are more male riders In
Richmond than ladies. yet a casual ODD
server might think there were more OF
the latter when noting the large NUMBER
of girl cyclists on the streets ana the
boulevard In the bright afternoon hours.
Every one will admit there is no more
attractive sight on earth than party
OF lady cyclists, and they are one or the
chief adornments OF the boulevard ana
the other roads around this city wnlcn
they throng In their daily rides.
WHIPS Ios '96.
In view OF the fact that each year since
more than ordinary Importance IL has
been customary for the makers In an
nouncing their new designs TO state that
there would be material reduction In
weight, IL seems a tr1e odd TO hear from
almost every authoritative source that
the average pattern for 1895 VIII be a Urine
heavier than were the machines sofa
during 1895. This increase in weight VIII.
OF course. be scarcely noticeable, as In
most cases II will not be full pound
and only with a few firms will II amount
TO an addition Of two pounds. but 1t
shows more plainly than any argument
possibly could that extreme lishtness has
not proven satisfactory TO such an extent
as TO warrant further experiments In cut
ting down. With a guaranty In force
which lasts for a full year and the al
most certain demand on the part OF the
purchaser that all damage be made good,
whether the result Of imperfection or OF
carelessness on the part or the rider'
the makers are called upon TO do much
which would not be tolerated In any other
business.
IARGTR TUBING.
The fad OF 1896 viii probably be larger
tubing Many manufacturers used
larger gauge this year than formerly, but
only a few went 20 extremes. IL Is claim
cd that the larger tubing adds strength
without increasing weight. the same
amount of metal being employed, but
drawn thinner to a larger gauge Some
firms will use tubing an inch and quar-
ter in diameter. while others Will use
somewhat smaller size and still others
will make no change from the present
average Of one inch in diameter. What
ever other advantage may be claimed
t,tN IL
be said that II adds I'm any manner 10
the graceful lines Of a bicycle.
The fact that at least one concern mas
announced that next season Ii VIII turn
out nothing but ladies' patterns SHOWS
that the bloomer craze has not impressed
the trade 10 any great extent This con-
Germ, taking into account the large IN
crease In the number OF lady riders and
the fact that this year many manufac-
turcrs refused TO fiji orders for drop
frame wheels until after they had sup
piled the demand for regular patterns,
has decided 10 devote its attention to
the fair sen alone.
OKSfs PR THT CYCLisI.
tious as sailors. those who are open 70
the influence of signs and omens should
read the following list of bicycle super
stitions: Il. The wheelman who allows
a hearse TO pass him will die before the
year is out 2. TO be chased by yellow
dog with one blue eye and one black
eye indicates bad fall. 3. To see a
small boy with a slungshot beside the
road is a propAecy Of puncture. 4. If
YOU pass a white horse driven by red
headed lady your rim will split unless
you say 'Cajandrum' and hold up two
fingers 5. The rider who expectorates
tobacco juice on the track VIII lose a
spoke. 6. If you take your machine to
the repair shop II Is a sign that you Will
not buy that new suit OF clothes. Z.
Kicking the man who asks the make OF
your wheel is a sign Of high honors and
riches within. n year. 3. Lending the
wheel is the sign of the double donkey.
TO attempt to hold up 275-pound wo-
man learning to ride is the sign OF a soft
spot"
II is said that the bicycle is seriously
damaging many trades. The most pro-
minent are the jewellers and cigar sell
lers. The jewellers claim that the trade
In watches have decreased, and the cigar
sellers claim the same for cigars.
SO the wheel is likely to obtain great
accessions TO its number of admirers In
the persons of those who oppose the
tobacco habit.
one Woul1 naturally thlhh tiidt INC
wheels Of trick rider would be much
lighter than the mounts of other riders
This Is a mistake, for the great strain
put on the wheel by the extraordinary
attitudes of the rider, makes 1t necessary
to greatly strengthen, the parts OF the
machine affected and this makes the
wheels much heavier than the ordinary
run of bicycles.
The wheel OF Sid. Black. the trick rider,
under ordinary circumstances weighs
twenty pounds, but it has been so REIN
forced that IL now tips the scales at
tweny-eight pounds.
GETTING TIE WORST OF IT.
1t is only I'm late years that wheels have
been made which were in any way adapt
ed for ladies. First, such as desired TO
ride were compelled 10 use tricycles, few
of which weighed less than eighty-nVe
pounds. Men who grumble over piece OF
bad road nowadays when riding a TWEEN
ty-two or twenty-five pound wheel can
imagine, possibly, what difficulty a LADY
rider would have in negotiating the same
with a machine Of antiquated pattern