The evening times., 1895-11-07
NINE RIDE ONE BICYCLE
Wonderful Wheel That a Cal for
nian Is Constructing.
A MILE AT GREAT SPEED
New Nonaplet VIII BE Made OF AIu.
minum and VIII BE Geared TO Two
Hundred and Twenty VIII
He IL World Beater-Physical En-
durunce of the Riders

When the tandem was built a number OF
years ago, it was looked upon as re
markable development of the bicycle, and
the two riders skimming along over the
road attracted almost as much attention
as a small circus parade.
The triplet, with seats for three riders,
but only two wheels, next made its ap.
pearance and astonished the cycling world
by its speed. Both the tandem and the trip
let were used for pacing riders in contests
against time, and some expert finally sug-
gested that a quadruplet or a two-wheeled
machine for four sturdy cyclists would set
faster pace than had ever been seen on
the track.
Many persons did not believe the frame
could be made strong enough TO support
four heavy wheelmen, but the machine was
constructed and proved great success
as a pace-making device. 1t made its mile
on straightaway course in 1 minute SO
seconds, better performance by half a
second than S3lvator's world famous mile
on the straight track at Monmouth Park,
n. j., August 2S, 1890.
ii was now quite generally believed that
the quad was the longest bicycle that
could be built and operated successfully, but
=. j. Berlo very recently demonstrated that
the opinion was not well founded.
He constructed quintuplet, which car
ried five riders, but had only the usual num-
Der of wheels.
1t proved a valuable addition to the
paceInaking apparatus, and encouraged by
Its success California inventor is build
ing what he calls a nonapiet, which he ex-
poets VIII carry nine men and display un-
precedented speed on straighta way course.
The inventors name is Albert Thomson.
and he is resident of San Francisco.
This machine will be a world beater,
says The Wheel. Nothing can pace il.
and even the lightning must hustle or be dis
tanced. The phenomenon will have two
3o-inch wheels and will weigh 1SO pounds.
and its gear will be 225. Think of the
speed gear of 225 will make, when a
80 gear rolls mile in minute 80 seconds.
or about 40 1-2 feet per second
what will be the pace OF the ..nonapIet''
with nine crackerjacks whirlng the big
rear sprocket almost four times the diameter
OF that ON the ordinary wheel? They won't
do anything To that l minute So seconds
record.
After the Deimas Smith ,Jopes-Dayis
quad :eam made their best time half a
second better than the fast horse they
could not stop their machines. At the
awful speed they dared not attempt to back
pedal FOR fear Of being hurled from the seat
ana dashed to pieces, and the machine ran
several miles along the straight, level road
FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT,
When the riders alghted from their peril |
ous positions their faces were blanched |
ihe nue. or death, So great had been the |
nervous strain and the fear Of an accident |
always 1nminent-which would pitch them |
to destruction.
All four OF the strong, skillful wheel |
men were so Frustrated that they did |
not attempt to ride for weeks At least |
TINS Is what truthful California reporters |
say.
The mind grows weary trying to con-
ceive OF the physical endurance of the
nine who will pump that 226 gear ma
chine ahead, and dizzy '.getting on to" |
the conception of the rifle shell velocity |
OF that racer OF aluminium Steel will
not be in it with this nine of a kind.
several experts estimate the ''nonaplet,
to be ca apable of a mile in 20 seconds-or in
io seconds providing the riders can get
put q reasonable life insurance of accident
policy, or If respiration is possible during
such speed through the air. Possibly the
cycl1st yet to come will be geared to his
wheel in every particular, and the atnlos-
pheric as well as the other conditions over
come.
No; few bicycle manufacturers are
ioubung Thomases when Inventor Thomp.
ons nonapiet is mentioned. They do not |
believe the iachnc can possibly be a sue
,ess. California, however, is essentially n |
and of great things. Trees, potatoes.
grows greater, bigger
nd better in the glorious climate of Cal.
forny." Thus 1t seems but natural that
ycilng should expand into something stu.
endous in such a country. Expecta-
ions are to be verified IL the world is
D believe the San Francisco Call, and
vhy should it not do SO?