The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-24
ON THE HIGH WHEELS
THE OLD ORDINARIES COMING OUT
FOR A DAYS RIDING.
Good Prospects for the Memorial Day
Road Race-Bicycle Path Nearing
Completion-Wheeli Notes.

This morning. at o'clock. there viii be
assembled at the postoffice what will GER
tainly be. in this day of chains and sprock-
cts, most unique gathering of people.
Fifty or more of the older riders Of the city
will bring out the good old ordinaries' and
prepare for ride to Broad Ripple in true
ancient style. This party win remind the
people Of what was common sight less
than decade ago. but will be now most
uncommon sight 1t will recall to the minds
OF many people the feeling with which they
looked upon the first chain-geared safety
that appeared on the streets, but the oddly
will be on the other side this time.
These bold riders will go to Broad Ripple
after having paraded over a few Of the
down town streets and having their pictures
taken. The whole affair has been arranged
'just for fun and it seems now as If the
participants will have ala the fun they want
before the return is made.
Last week when the run was announced
by Marc r. Thompson, chief consul Of the
l.. A. W.. the older riders began scurrying
about, overhauling repair shops and barn
lofts in search Of something for mount
They have succeeded in bringing together
the most disreputable looking lot of ma
chimes imaginable and it Is on these 'old
Crooks" they are called, that the trip
will be made. There Is scarcely a cookbook
ing machine in the lot. Some of the riders
are happy in the thought that there is still
a little nickel left ON the backbone of their
wheel.
Every night last week the ordinary could
be seen on the streets. with a man almost
vainly endeavoring to reclaim his lost con-
troll of that pattern. Even Tom Hay. Louis
Keck and III. T. Hearsey and other old rid
ers found some difficulty in managing the
tricky machines. They would sit around and
tell of bygone days anu then try to do some
Of their old tricks, but, in most cases, found
them impossible.
The rules OF the run are somewhat unique
and provide for fines for every conceivable
offense. 1t is certain that no rider can make
the trip without mourning at least dozen
fines.
1T was not supposed that the city had half
as many of the old machines as have been
resurrected since the announcement of this
run. At first it was thought that If twenty
five riders could secure wheels 1t would be
more than was really expected. but now it
is believed that at least fifty and probably
sixty riders will mount the ordinary and en-
ter the line.
The start will be made at o'clock and a
large crowd is expected to see the column
move off.
The towpath section OF the new bicycle
path will probably be completed. except put
ting on the coat of cinders, by Tuesday even
ing. Las. evening the gravel was all rolled
between Fairview Park and Broad Ripple.
and Mr.. McGinty, the superintendent. thinks
he will be able to finish placing and rolling
the gravel on the lower part by Tuesday
night. He will then proceed with the top
dressing of cinders. f. G. Darlington, of the
Pennsylvania Company, has agreed to fur
nish the cinders at the rate of a carload
day.
1t is expected that there will be several
thousand riders on the path to-day. 1t will
be passabIe over the entire length of the tow
path, but below Fairview Park it will be
rough.
The subscription to the stock is progressing
very satisfactorily and the directors now
think they will not stop the work when this
section is finished, as sufficient money has
been secured to continue working Last
week about $500 was subscribed. A systemat-
ic canvass is being made among the bus
mess men OF the city by w. H. Eccles and 1t
is resulting In a large number of subscrip-
lions from men who do not ride.
There is no doubt that this will be the most
picturesque bicycle path in the country.
There are few places where the promoters
of paths have been enabled to follow the
banks of streams. In almost all cases they
have had to build them along the sides of
pubic roads or secure private right Of way.
In either case the paths have not had the
surroundings which this one will have. Few
of them can boast OF shade over most of the
path. as can this city. Many Of the bicycle
papers have commented on this path, and
have spoken of it as being an ideal path
Friday night, June 8, It has been arranged
to have a bicycle carnival at Wildwood Park
for the benefit OF the Wheelway League.
There will be good music and many other
attractions to make pleasant evening for
those who attend.
The following is a list of those who had
secured high wheels yesterday and decided
to participate in the race: Carl Fisher, Ellis
Hunter, E. v. Minor. Rolla Fisher. HI. T..
Hearsey, Thomas Hay. Lou Keck, Edgar o.
zumpfe, Herbert w. Foltz, Robert L. Moore
head, Frank Staley v. B. Willis, Harvey
Langdon, Otis Birge, George Keep. James
Jacobs, l.. NJ. Wainwright, Sherman,
- Irwin. Charles York. Charles c. Muel-
Ter, Charles Auer, Z. w. Ballard, Arthur
Dickson, h. e. Clark, Miles Moore. George
NJ. Lazarus, Jesse L. Alley, Carl Koerner.
Ira Holmes, George Hench, T. b. Hatfield,
X p. Drysdale, John Lands. William Mari
on, Otis Loew, c. Z. Warren, Josh thinner
man. Edward Eads, A. c.. Newly. George
Anderson, Fred Patee, Frank Reed. William
Sumner, Louis Silken. Edward Newmeyer
Oliver Carter, Elmer Smith, James A. ALI
son, John Carpenter, Oscar Hermann, c. w.
McWorkman, Gus Devore, William Devore,
Charles Devore, William Pray, William OFF
M. T. Levy, John Shaw, v. H. Johnson, W.
u. Knaggs, H. c. Newland, +. 1. Willis.
Marc r. Thompson "A souvenir will be given
to each person in the run.
The sextet which has been made for the
purpose of competing with tine Empire State
express train is said to be the largest in
the world. Its length over all is thirteen
feet and it's water line" or wheel base.
is something under two feet less. 1t weighs
1874 pounds, giving each rider about twenty
three pounds in addition to his own weight
TO propel The wheels have only two inches
more OF diameter than those of the aver
age bicycle--that Is, they thirty inches
across. The tires are said to be the largest
inches in diameter The gear. where in lies
the secret OF its phenomenal velocity. has
been compounded to 196. The machine is
built on the cantilever principle, and 1t is
claimed the weight of its six riders will not