Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

Nv " only after IL ndu the
stai.,, .. -uproval from those whose names
figure in the blue books of Europe The
general impression was that society would
soon tire of it's new fad and that it would
not be many months before it would be
through with the wheel for good and all.
Yet there never were as many society peo-
rIe interested in cycling as there are today,
and the chances are that the number will
be vastly increased before the spring of 1896
is fairly under way.
A few weeks ago The Star printed a list
of prominent society women of this city
who have learned to enjoy the delights of
wheeling. 1t did not purport to be COM
plete list, but even as it was, 1t probably
surprised good many people to learn how
many of societys leaders are numbered in
the front rank of the army of wheelwomen.
1t would be out of the question to make
anything like full census of the men who
ride. for they are numbered by the thou
sand But one of the most interesting fea
lures in connection with the development
of the fad is to see how it has caught on
among the swells, the men who make
their clubs lounging place of an afternoon,
and used to regard an hours stroll up and
down Connecticut avenue as quite enough
exercise for any man. Now, any time that
1t is fairly decent overhead and the roads
are in anything like riding condition. they
may be seen on the roads around the city.
Singly or In little parties, off for good
long spin. Occasionally their destination is
one other of the suburban club houses,
but an afternoon ride of ten or twenty miles
is not at all out of the ordinary.
Bicycling goes spendidly with golf. and
the majority of these who drive the ball
around the links look upon the bicycle as an
admirable means of reaching the golf
grounds. In no sense have the young men
of this country. especially those represent
ing the moneyed class, changed more in the
last few years than they have in their at
titude toward outdoor sports.
Views of n Dealer.
The agents for the different makes of
wheels are predicting bigger years bust
Tess in 1896 than they have ever known as
yet.
"An other years were as nothing" said
one of the dealers to Star reporter. COM
pared with the one just drawing to a close.
But 1 am satisfied that next year will go
as far ahead of it as 1899 went ahead of
1894. You see, the bicycle has come to stay.
There can be no question about 1t. We all
thought that when society people took 1t up
they would lose interest in 1t very soon. In
point of fact, they have but grown the more
enthusiastic as time has passed, and know
of lots of people who are going to take up
wheeling in the early spring who would
never have thought of such thing for
themselves even recently as six months
ago. They are in earnest about 1t, honest
~ DeNeVe, ana are convinced tildl tHe VI
cycle is a good deal more than a mere fad.
AS a means of exercise-oh, we'll, there is
no use in talking up the merits of bicycling.
Everyone understands them who rides. and
those who are not riding now soon will be-
The bicycle seems to have caught on par
ticularly well with that class Of young
men who have hitherto devoted themselves
largely to horseback riding, and the result
is that one does not see as many saddle
horses on the suburban roads as We're out
a couple of years ago. They are still IN
town, it is safe to presume, but their own
ers seen inclined to leave them In the
stable and go off on a spin on their pneu-
matte tires.
Thomas Nelson Page, the author, has
paid pretty tribute to the horse time and
again in his stories, and has ridden several
nice saddlers since he has made this city
his home. But the asphalt streets and the
charm of bicycling have proven too much
for him, and his favorite saddle horse does
not get as much exercise as he used to do.
Mr.. Hugh Legare and Mr.. Alex. Legare,
two of the best eQuestrians in town, also.
give a share Of their time now to the
wheel, as does Senior Dupuy de LONE, the
Spanish minister
Diplomats on Wheels.