New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-24

Works. in whose department this matter 0o"''''
Mr. Brookfeld said:
THE idea is a new to me. and nave not
had time as yet to give it sufficient thought III
fact l know nothing very little about the Ola
aqueduct and whether il would fulhl the opJec's
you speak about not. | VIII look INTO 'he
matter. however, and If the scheme seems pracu-
cable to those conversant Win such hat'ers WI"
discuss it with you later
A visit was then made to the Aqueduct Board
where a corps of efficient workers were louhd
among the number being one or two wheeimeh
When the idea of a new cycle pain on the oiu
aoueduct was suggested. a unanimous murmur OF
annroval was heard through the whole room
"Vbv IL is the grandest idea / ever heard OF,
said one of the city officials. who for personal rea-
sons requested the writer not 10 mention any names
.'New-York City certainly ought to look ai'er the
interest Of the wheelmen just as much II not more
than any other city for the reason that we nave SO
many cycle riders in this district. and also for the
reason that we have streets or roads or prac-
tically none where wheelmen can ride comiorta-
bly,.
Now, / do not think that the new aqueduct
could be made to this purpose at all Tor 'he
simple that II is practically all tunnel above
the Harlem River but the Old aqueduct Is just the
thing wanted. and the trlhng expense necessary
to make of ii the best cycling path in the wofId Is
certainly recommendation in its favor The old
aqueduct from High Bridge to Croton Lake winds
around In SerpeNtlne ldSnlOn through one VI tHe
most beautiful sections in the country
RIDE THROUGH GLORIOUS SCENERY.
Just think of ride through this district which
extends through YoAkers. along the bank Of the
Hudson through Glenwood. Hastings. Dobbs Ferry
Iryington Tarrytown. Sing Sing. Quakers Dam
Bridge The route would have an even contour OF
about 1870 feet above the Hudson River Now. the
only objection can the immediate adoption
OF this idea that something will have to be done
TO dispose of the present arrangements regarding
the Old aqdeduCt Still the expense entaed will be
trfing and the object to De attained is desirable
that no sensible would make any objection.
The old aqueduct is anything from y TO - feet
wide. and the natural incline is only foot in
a mile the average whee.man see what model
cycle path there is before him. Along direct line
TO Croton Lake the distance from Central Park Is
about thirty miles but in its serpentae course the
cycle path would be about forty miles in length
The difficulties In the way OF this scheme so
tr!hing be worth hardly serious consideration.
but In an under aking OF this | believe that
even the minor details should be understood before
the TASK Is begun. The surface OF the Old aqueduct
a; present is little more than a patb for workmen
and pedestrians. Fences hsyc been put I'd at regu-
Idr intervals dIohs It's line. practically for other
purpose than TO Keep cattle out and to prevent
horsemen and others from using the road
These fences could be removed AT a triei,o oy
perse and the surface OF the could be leveled
OF with gravel and other arrangements and wheel
men would Le delighted with the result
A NATURAL PATH SEVERAL FEET WIDE
"As 1t is. even al present. there is natural path
three or four feet wide. extending practically the
whole length of the aqueduct, which is as level Az
billiard table. and which offers Of the bes,
surfaces for riding l know Of Ii could be used for
the purpose mentioned II ii not for these fences
The natura! incline and decline are SO slight that
they would not interfere with riding a wheel a
arfi IL
wheelmen when The Trbune's suggestion for a New
York cycle path has been carried out In all It's
details.
The cyclist could travel ap Seventh-ave or
-. Nicholas-ave or the Boulevard TO Washing ton
Bridge and then take the aqueduct There Is a
drop at lghbridge OF from ten TO twelve fee.. hat
an arrangement could be made here by which wheel
Men would 10, be inconvenience TO any con-
SIDERABLE extent There few tunnels AT Yonk-
ets. which will nc, stand in the way OF this plan
iAe present path. used, as said before by keepers
ana pedestrians. has been beaten down hard bv
nearly forty years Of travel and the surface is OF
course. practically level II is an ideal route even
now with its fences. II the wheelman does not