The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-27
BICYCLE NEWS
H.. AND COMMENT
Pertinent Facts o. Interest to Riders Of
the Bike.
SECRET OF PAcE.MAKING IS TOLD
Why ''Sexts' and squads" Are Bet.
ter PAGERS Than Singles and Why
the PAGER Is Always Beaten.. Road
Book Ofthe Pennsylvania Division
Of the l.. A. W. Is Free.

Pace making is one Of the curious
things about bicycle racing which Is un-
derstood only by those who follow the
business. 1t does hot seem that a man
running along ahead should be oil much
assistance. but In all contests whether
1t be among horses or men 1t has been
found that the one who makes the run
ming usually is beaten at the end. why
this Is true has never been satisfac-
tOrily explained, but every one ac-
knowledges the fact.
To follow single pace Is more difficult
and harder work than to follow tam
dem and so on, the sextette being the
ideal pace. Men who have tackled"
on to all sorts Of machines and for the
purpose of trying to figure out the mys-
terry of pace. claim that single pace
simply urges a man on and enables
him to keep the same gait. He Is saved
the brain work of working about the
gait he Is going. as that is left to the
pace-maker a copy Is set for him and
all his faculties are centered on that
copy Behind tandem the rider no
tices that in one certain spot, where the
atmosphere is cut open for him, the
wheel runs easier. He keeps in that
spot and follows closely.
The quad does most Of the work for
the one who follows and at times the
single rider feels as If he We're going
at a 10-seconds faster gain than behind
single pace.
The seXtette. according to those who
have had experience. does the entire
work for the single. except moving the
riders legs. 1t not only removes the
air pressure but creates Il vacuum by
which the single rider is pulled along.
On either side of a certain path which
IL directly ON the wake Of the six scatter
the wind whistles past while the sin
gle Is protected and sheltered. Just
keep In that path and make the legs
go uD and down" is the instruction
given. "the seXt does the rest"
The fact that the vacation season Is
at hand Is responsible for many of the
applications which go to increase the
large list received weekly by the League
Of American Wheelmen. While the or
ganization Is one which every rider Of Il
wheel should feel 1t duty to support
there are many who do not feel the
necessity of putting in an. application
until the opportunity of deriving I'M
mediate personal benefits becomes ap-
parent. The benefits of membership
continue all through the year both d.
rectly and indirectly, but to the cycler
who proposes taking even a short tour
the card certifying that he is "a MEM
ber Is absolutely Indispensable.
Vh.a ha1
Pennsylvania division and furnished
free Of charge to every member shows
all the routes throughout the entire
state and neighboring states. as well
as giving principal routes all through
the country, gives information regard
ing the condition of the roads and the
grades from point to point, also all II
the principal hotels in each town at
which special rates are given to League
members, and list of repair shops ana
local consuls In each place, who are
always willing and glad to give In
formation to touring wheelmen upon
presentation of their credentials. In
this one matter alone the organization
benefits the member many times over
the trifling cost of 81 per annum. which
covers the entire expense: this Of course
being possible only because the League
Is thoroughly cooperative and there
being no high salaried officials. The
road book is compiled from informa
tion furnished by the local cOnsuls IN
each town in the state. and is not Of
cred flor sale. being furnished only TO
members of t;e organization.
To the tourist the saving In hotel
bills frequently represents the entire
cost of membership in a single day In
the reductions secured upon presenta
tion of the membership card at League
hotels on the route travelled. and the
fact that there Is an official In each
town ready to give information In case
Of the necessity for such, or to render
assistance in case of accident. The
tourist who attempts making a trip
awheel without an l.. A. w. card In
his pocket will scarcely find his road as
easy one to travel as he who has
taken this precaution. Applications for
membership accompanied by the initia-
tiOn fee of 81. and the first years an
nual dues of 81 should be addressed
to the secretary treasurer. Pennsyl
vania division. postoffice box LIT. Phil
adelDhia.