The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-27

NOW that spring has apparently como
to stay and the weather has at last as
sumed some sem blance to the gentle
balmy period OF the year so often quoted
by the spring poets, all wheeldom is
happy and club runs, century runs and
individual runs are the order of the day,
or at least were the order OF yesterday.
Quite number OF the cyclists who ad-
ded to their bunch of New Year resoIu-
tions one to the effect that they would
ride SO many miles during the season of
1896 were hard at work on the schedule
they have mapped out for themselves, and
yesterday after the days run they care
FULLY scrutinized their cyclometers to zee
that every yard of the prescribed distance
had been covered.
Or course there was goodly number
OF Providence wheelmen aud wheelWo-
men who are not members of any of the
clubs in or about the city who were out
IN full force and, added to the general
cheerfulness OF the scene. As yet club
runs have been limited, due to the fact
that many of the men have not climb
cred up" and as they have purchased new
wheels are anxious to test them on nearby
roads before taking any long runs
through the rough and sandy country.
That Is the reason why there was no spec
Rhode Island Wheelmen. About 20 of the
Narragansett Wheelmen, however, made
an impromptu run to " oonsocKet and
from their account of ii in the club house
last night they had very Jolly and en-
ioyable time. First Lieutenant r. w.
Joslin and {. b. Griffin took pleasure
spin over an unfrequented road TO Mid
dleboro and back, distance of 70 miles
and were very enthusiastic over the fine
condition of the roads. But the only
real work that had any semblance of
training was done by Miller. the long
distance rider of the club, and Wike, who
pedslled to Nantasket Beach and back,
making the only century of the day.
President Parrot OF the Powhattan
Cycle CLUB OF Newport, and two OF the
members visited the Narragansetts curing
the afternoon and reported that the GO
ing from Newport was poor, due to the
heavy dust and rough roads. Cycling at
Newport they said was gradually pro-
crossing, and by the time the summer
season opens and the swell visitors arrive,
will be in full blast.
At the Rhode Island Wheelmen's club
house there was very little going on.
number OF individual runs were made
during the course of the day-to- East
Green wich, Warren, Oakland Beach, But
tonwoods and other nearby places, and
the general comment upon the wheeling
was that the roads were in good shape,
though very dusty. One party of X. !.
w. men started for Chepacket, bat owing
to a breakdown at Greenville they were
compelled to return.
The first moonlight run of the season is
TO be made by the Rhode Island Wheel
men tonight at 5 O'Clock. The mem bers
will leave their. quarters, take spin to
Pawtuxet and on the return to the club
hOugp al U
program Will consist of a stag entertain
ment On May / tho club will make a
May breakfast run TO Oakl0wn, leaving
Providence at 9 o'clock a. M.
The Narrsgansett Wheelmen have
mapped out quite number of pleasure
events for the near future, which consist
OF progressive whist party ard SUPPER
on Tueiday night, club run and shore
dinner al Crescent park on next Sunday,
and on May the fifth anniversary of the
organization OF the club will be COM
memoiated by theater party and dinner.
Electricity has not yet entered cnspicu-
ously into the construction of bicycles,
owing to the fact that anything which
adds weight is not desirable; still there
is a New Yorker who has perfected an
electric bicycle, having a storage bat;
terry, motor and a switchboard which is
regarded quite fsvorably in wheeling cir
Clt5. me DHlltty, knONH the ury
chloride, weighs Is pounds. This, APP
piled 10 wheel with motor and switch
board, brings the weight of the wheel to
90 pounds, only few pounds heavier
than the pioneer safeties. The battery
and motor are attached TO the frame be-
low the saddle ard the switchboard Is
near the handle bar. IL il claimed that
this machinery is capable of great speed,
but be that as 1t may, there is no deny
ing that 1t is particularly advantageous
in ascending hills and riding over rough
roads. Means for regulating the speed
are provided and IL desirable the electri-
city can be used to light an incandesceut
lamp at night. The apparatus is said 10 be
inexpensive and can be easily applied or
removed without the slightest injury TO
the wheel.
There have always heen n goodly number
OF complaints TO the effect that wheeling
has q tendency to make rider narrow
cbested and round shouldered, that is il
he uses the ordinary drop or rams horn
handles, but now 1t appears that a wheel
has been constructed to permit the rider
to sit upright. IL has a triangular frame.
two sides Of which are formed by the
front ana rear forks with the seat on the
apex. In steering the front wheel is
turned as in the ordinary safety but the
handle bar passes behind the rider and a
little lower than the seat. While the
itE tIh lOOb PRESS uOMu OH illt ptudsS lne
shoulders are thrown back and the body
is erect. This machine is hailed RS another
accessory To he ranks OF the phenomenal
hill elim bers.
Donts
Don't hirt. You know why.
Don't ride before breakfast
Don't try TO beat a railroad train. You
are not fast enough and it Is always bet
ter TO pay the fare.
Don't try to show of by doing tricks
In a crowd. It's dangerous.
Don't forget to ring your bell when
nearing street corners.
DON'T ride on sidewalks. The street
ought to be big enough.
Don't race around corners unless you
have an accident policy.
DON'T coast down College Hill. It's
foolish.
Don't think you own the road or West
minister street: there are Others.
Don't do your own repairing II your
wheel needs IL. IL pays TO let an ex-
perienoed man attend TO the'
frx TO- ~ .x.lr os, Arf.4 80 ho ,t,.f,