Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-05-18

gaflS was bicycle crazy last year, anu
In the spring, when the craze was at
It's height, the great parade was held
there. Prizes had been offered for the
handsomest machines, the most gaudily
decorated ones and the oldest ones.
The latter prize was the one most
sought after by the Parisians and the
French manufacturers were kept busy
long before the parade building BIZ
cycle monstrosities on plans submitted
by wheelmen ambitions to carry on
the prize.
Three weeks before the parade a
young Frenchman named Leon Lyon,
member Of the committee which got
up the parade, made a wager Of 500
francs that he could design and have
ready in time a machine which would
carry OF first prize for the oldest BIZ
cycle. The bet was taken by another
bicyclist who had designs on the prize
himself. and the next day NJ. Lyon went
70 England, and calling at the bicycle
office of a blcycle-maker at Beeston,
informed him that he wanted bicycle
made, shaped as much like the Eiffel
Tower as possible.
The dealer thought he was talking
with crazy man at first, but Lyon
convinced him that he was in earnest.
and the two went to work and designed
the Misunderstanding, but, neyerthe-
less, rideable machine which is now on
exhibition in this city. The manufac-
turer called II the giraffe bicycle" but
NJ. Lyon insisted on calling II the Elf
Eel Tower Bicycle" and under the latter
name IL was entered in the Paris pa
rade. From the moment machine and
rider appeared on the street there was
no doubt about the winner OF the prize.
The rider was as proud as a peacock.
perched away up on his seat, but he
didn't dare TO respond in any way TO
the enthusiastic applause which his
presence caused. II took all the in
genuity he had TO keep from falling
on Of the lofty affair He managed 10
get through the parade without
tumble. however. and when he received
the prize he didn't forget 10 mention
/ the fact that an English firm had made
/ the wheel. The machine cost NJ. Lyon
/ the equivalent Of $3.50 American money,
I but the prize he won with II was worth
4 almost as much as that. From the
/ ground TO the saddle OF the bicycle is
I n distance of ten feet the framework
4 being made of steel tubing, light, but
+ very strong. The manufacturers fol-
/ lowed instructions in making the ma
/ chine look as much like the Eiffel
/ Tower as possible. and this probably
+ had much to do with the success of the
4 rider. The lower part Of the machine
( is an ordinary safety bicycle, with
+ pneumatic tires and ball bearings.
F The small cog beside the rear wheel
7 is connected with another cog wheel
/ about Ave feet up the frame by the
I ordinary bicycle chain Another chain
/ connects this latter cog with the pedals.
4 Above this are the saddle and handles.
I ali made I'm the usual style. The frame
/ work in the rear is so arranged that
4 Il forms a sort OF ladder, up which the
rider climbs TO the seat while some one
/ holds the machine. 1t would be almost
/ impossible TO climb on the bicycle while
I IL was in motion, which is practically
j the only thing that can't be done on
! the "Eiffel Tower" wheel that one can
4 do on any other wheel. Despite its
/ great height. the whole thing weighs
4 only sixty pounds, which is less than
/ the weight of some of the old-fashioned
4 high BICYCLES The wheel was brought
20 this country several months ago and
, exhibited at the Springfield meeting.
/ II has been ridden in this city several
I times II requires nerve TO mount the
/ machine. but once on top and started
! there is little difficulty in keeping 1t
gel ag. Dlsmounting causes the great