New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-15
necessary hui~ying releases wheeling from the
risks Of overstrain and ex.austion.

risks OF overstrain and exhaustion.
The streets OF London are too crowded to per-
NIT comfortable cycling but the suburban roads
are filled at all hours of the day with wheelmen.
English roads the best in the world. They
are never allowed to fall out Of repair and are
always In perfect condition. They are smooth
and hard and the grades are always easy Most
OF them are constantly sprinkled. so that the
dust Is laid. Wheemen would be hard to please
II they were to find fault with English roads in
any respect Well shaded with fine trees. lined
with hedgerows and vine-covered stone walls
and always slightly. tidy and well cared for.
these roads answer every possible requirement
OF the most exactng and caprcious wheelmen.
There cannot be any decline in cycling when tie
conditions favor It's promotion and increasing
populari;y. Even with markedly inferior roads.
wheeling Is rapidly becoming the most popular
OF American sports: but II the English art OF
road-mak,ng were known there everybo would
be on wheels
The sale OF bicycles is constantly increasing In
all English cities and that Is an unerring indi-
cation OF the popularity of the sport The wheels
commonly seen are similar to those used IN
America but simpler. II anything. IN construc-
ton, and designed for safe. comfortable riding
Running at moderate speed over roads without
hollows or ruts they are less liable to wear out
or to require repairs than the American ma
chimes Wheeling accidents are very rare here.
Dangerous high wheeled bicycles are not IN use'
and hcp,nners are carefully coached. Once IN a
while there will be a paragraph IN the news
papers about the sudden death OF rider from
exhaustion or heart disease. and the moral VIII
be drawn that overexerton must be avoided oy
,rva,,ds and weaklings. On the other hand.
there IL no reason to doubt that wheeling as IL
4. nractised here promotes health and vigor OF
bodv and brings daily exercise and open-air lie
within the reach Of thousands OF men ana women
who were formerly without systematic recrea-
ton.
ENGLISH PROFESSIONAL CYCLING.
The National Cyclists Union has granted per-
mission for unlicensed riders TO make the pace
for competitors In the six hours contest LOT
professionals at Catford. This concession VIII
not restore the popularity OF professional cy-
cling contests which has been impaired oy 'he
course OF the union In barring out unicensed
riders on account OF their trade connexions
The attendance at all professional contests mas
fallen off, and this has been erroneousiy re-
garded as a sign that interest In wheeling IL oe
clining In England. The truth Is that cychns mere
Ia popular not as professional sport Out as
a recreation for all classes. High speed IL not
considered so important as gracefui ana con-"
Portable riding consequently '"e ''e' "
used here are heavier than the American.
The races between petroleum gigs and car
riages in France have attracted little attention
IN England. although bill was introduced IN
Parliament for removing the restrictions upon 'he
speed Of vehicles not drawn by horses V's'o"
n, netroleum cabs and vctoras whrling along
the roads at a speed OF sixteen or twenty miles
an hour does not fascinate the conservative
English mind Exercise rather than fast riding
is the object which the ordinary wheelman mas IN
view and a change OF motive force by which
the rider would have to work his way as an OIL
stoker is regarded as n vagary OF sensational
sport. Wheeling is not popular here as sport
inviting competition at tournaments for iast
riding but as a sensible rational method OF OUT
door recreation As such 1t commends Itself 10
the Judgment Of a people who have always loVea
their rural scenery. roads and parks and been
accustomed to live so far as possible IN the open
air The petroleum gig will never replace the
wheel in England. "