The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-12
THE WHlR
OF THE WHEEL.

Ut The WHEEL.
Keen 70 she right The necessity OF
the strict observance by wheelheh "a
this. the commonest Of all toaA Iu''s'
was tremendously emphasized last "eeh
when two bicycle riders Of ms cry "ei'
seriously injured IN a collision on GinieI
road. nj night. because one OF theh U.S.
regarded this simple procaution.
with the roads and streets inn OF ne"
riders. who have not the fun MASTERY -,
their ticklish stee1s, the old riHers snouiu
inculcato by their Owu voices ana theh
own examples the necessary Oh "'"e'''o
20 this rule.
Nine out Of ten OF all the accidents
that occur arc directly attributable 70
the failure 10 adhere 20 H.
Night riders are very numerous In all
the principal thOroughfares. and the dan
ger OF collision is constant and threaten
ing.
1t is wonderful how few accidents 90
occur when the liability is so great anu
it is vet more remarkable how few per-
sons get hurt in bicycle accidents To
lavrnan "A bicycle seems the very incar-
nation of danger TO life and limb. but
the way ia which riders tangle Ip ana
fan all over each other. run into trees.
fences. bitches and vehicles, without
scratch or bruise, shows that IT is really
u comparatively harmless machine.
In fact, the accidents are mainly in-
furious 10 the bicycle and. excepting
few small patches of skin and triiiinG
bruises, the injuries 90 riders of the
whirrins wheel are very few.
DHOP HANDLE BARS
Just why so many young men buy low
dropped handle bars and then ride with
their hands close together, on top Of the
head of the wheel IN order 20 secure an
erect position. is conundrum which
is hard to solve.
Trying 10 sit erect with drop handle
bars is the real cause Of the round
backs, stopped shouldered, and altogether
ugly figures so common among wheel
men on our streets.
Lady riders. as a rule. arc more grace
ful than men, because they ride with
high handle bars and assume an erect
position. There are many riders who, n
they once tried straight handle-bars
would never go back 10 the uncomforta-
bic drop style. They are all right for
racing men, who want TO decrease the
wind pressure. but II is at a great sacri-
flee to comfort for the pleasure rider.
During the moon-lit nights Of the past
week the boulevards I'm the West-End
have simply swarmcd with hicyciors, and
TO gain a conception Of the number of
riders IN Richmond one only needs
stand in the neighborhood OF Rich
mond College any pretty evening between
7 and o'clock.
young people, almost equally divided as
10 sexes, go trooping by In couples, in
squads and i'm drOves. IL IS a rcmarka-
BILE illustration OF a wonderful fashion.
DECADENCE OF CLUBs.
The universal use OF the wheel has had
just the opposite effect that one would
suppose in the encouragement Of clubs
When wheelmen were few and looked
on as band Of mild cranks they ma
turally chung together. The prejudice of
the general public against the wheel
made them feel that they needed united
support, and the result was the formation
OF clubs. whore they could meet and
discuss those matters OF interest 10 them
selves, as well as secure the congenlal
company necessary 10 a fun enjoyment
OF the sport
Now, that the whole world is aWhcel
and the bicycle has had the endorsement
Of Royalty, Of Fashion, OF the business
World. ana OF the World Of Pleasure.
the affinity among wheelmen has so
broadened as TO reach beyond the neces-
sity Of small organizations. and hence
the bicycle club is on the wane.
Hereafter it is likely that clubs Will
consist mainly Of young men who fig
ure on the race track and not OF the
mere riders fer exercise and pleasure.
CLUB Fon BOTH sExEs.
A suggestion comes from Il young man
who is both an expert rider ana a ladies
man. that a club be formed Of both sexes
to be presided over by a respectable
matron and "A competent janitor. where
either ladies' or gentlemen car secure the
cOnveniences and privileges offered by
;he ordinary bicycle club and at the
same time make II a place Of social
gathering. II. Of course. would have 10
be conducted on refined principles and
with reasonable proportion Of married
ladies' for chaperones it could be made a
most acceptable and delightful insutu-
ton.
l believe the idcl a good ore. and that
such a club would flourish and be a
pleasure ana lasting JOY TO its menu
bers.
The fact that the old Richmond cycle
Club which has long been a leader i'm
bicycling, has gone 10 pieces for the
want of coneenial adhesive material has
prompted these reflections ana sugges-
tions for A remedy.
SUMNER TOURS.
Now that the real bicycle season IS
approaching. when long rides are permits
sible. the question OF tours IS being dis
cussed.
There is much talk I'm the "Owl' Club
Of long runs this summer. a trip TO
Ashbury Park seems 10 be the most pop
ular. Another interesting event Will DC
a race against time 20 Petersburg some
time In the near future.
A noted rider. who has had rnuch eX-
perience In touring says;
In touring. start early, ride slowly,
stop often, take a good rest in the mid
die Of the day, drink little. eat often
rather than heavily. never allow yourself
10 get Vcly hungry, and avoid large
drauchts az water when overheated. II
You want 10 battle. either jump IN imme-
diately after your ride. or wait until YOU
are thoroughly cool before taking your
plunge. DO not measure your pleasure
by the mile, but by the hour II YOU are
able only TO measure your pleasure 10y
the mile YOU might as well take a Level
stretch OF q mile. and "scorch" back
wards and forwards over IT.. instead or
taking a tour into the country. Always
sit up straight. so you can see the
country over which you pass"
HOW RECORDS ARE MADE.
You would perhaps like to lower a
worlds record; but have you any idea
-.