The record-union., 1896-04-05


reliance, and have spent a good deal
of money profitably in constructing
cinder paths for their own use between
neighboring cities and towns. The idea
that the farmers can be brought to
build roads suitable for bicycles has
been abandoned. The bicyclists, TAX
ing the burden upon themselves, have
recently been constructing side paths
along the country roads. Last fall some
fifteen miles of cinder paths were made
near Utica, seven miles being along the
old State road toward Syracuse.
During the present month the Oneida
League of Wheelmen has raised money
TO continue the path to Oneida. The
wheelmen of Syracuse and the inter-
mediate towns will complete the line,
so that the result will be cinder path
fifty miles long. Frankfort, Ilion, Mo-
hawk and Little Falls wheelmen are
taking to the idea. AS rule the far
mers favor their construction, the paths
being dry and smooth and better for
walking than are the ordinary country
roads.
''The item of cost of construction is
not very considerable. Near large towns
where cinders are to be had gratis and
little hauling necessary, a path three
and half feet wide costs about S75
a mile. Further in the country the ex-
pense is greater and may run up to S125
a mile. But spin over a good cinder
path is so delightful that its cost will
hardly be an obstacle where wheelmen
abound"
Now, the energetic Sacramento wheel
men should go on and build that cinder
path from the city to Folsom, from the
city to Gait, or to Courtland, or to any
other point from ten to twenty miles
distant. The Record Union" long ago
pointed out how it can be done, and
how the money can be raised with COM
parative ease. Build that path, and
Sacramento will gain a big point in at
tractiveness. and wheelmen will have
something to live for.
There are now about $50 bicycle fac
tories in this country, having an aver
age capital of 100000. That makes up
S15,O00,OOO. There is one firm that has
81 ,0OO,0 capital, and several that are
Well up in the big thousands. Besides
the exclusive bicycle factories there are
the tire factories, chain factories the
concerns that manufacture tubing. ped
ais, saddles and other parts Of the BIZ
cycle, that add up toward the grand to-
tai Of $30,000,0 ,000.-St Louis Republic
There will be more tandems built
this year than were put together dur
ing the past three years. "a bicycle
built for two" is a wheel that meets
with ready popularity for several rea-
sons 1t is possible to be more COM
panionable on a two scatter. The wheel
men who ride in pairs can converse
along the road, while on single wheels
this is an extremely difficult occupa-
ton. Then, too, the eXertion is much
less. Two men on a thirty five pound
tandem can cut pigeon wings around
cyclists on single wheels, and then not
half try.
The Empire State express has ira
veled half mile in 81 1-5 seconds. 1t
is thought that the possibilities for
even greater speed are excellent. Per-
sons can hardly realize how a bicycle,
whether it has two seats or forty, can
obtain this wonderful speed. Still
there is chance of solving the prob
lem, but it must be remembered that
locomotives are travelling faster every
year.
st. Peter-I understand you were a
very fast young man on earth?
Bicyclist-Yes, sir; I was a scorcher
when on earth.
Once scorcher, always a scorcher,"
muttered the venerable gate-keeper.
Take the elevator down.
$50
The Californians who are to follow
the circuit this year, from San Fran
cisco south and thence to the East,
include such fast ones as C. r. Coulter,
Otto Ziegler, w. J. Edwards, E. Kizer,
c. E. Randall, Eli Winsett, w. A. Ter
rill, c. S. Wells, o. Osen, F. M. Stever,
c. Shefski, ]. M. Campbell, T. Cooper.
F. A. Mcfarland, ]. e. Edwards and
others.
The latest marvellous time to be
claimed by a bicycle rider is that of a
mile unpaced, Ill 3-5, by NJ. o. Dennis
OF Denver AS though by way of
apology the fact is added that the
wind blew at the rate Of fifty miles an
hour, and there is current q belief that
the course selected was a portion of the
Pixies Peak road.
Schaw, Ingram G. hatcher of this city
have issued a neat little vest-pocket
folder containing a list of the distances
from Sacramento to all the outlying
towns in the county. It also has list
of fire-alarm boxes
1t is not impossible that in one or more
of the great demonstrations of ffe Pres
| idential year in New York City as many
as 10000 gayly decorated and illumin-
| ated wheels will be seen in the line, thus
paign parades that will excite popular
enthusiasm to the utmost.
'ePwhat med Mulligan fall off his
wheel? Did he have a side slip?"
He did not. Oh told him q joke tin
miles beyant. an sure he's just now
tumbled.'
Violent and exhausting exercise with
out proper preparation for it is against
common sense and opposed to all laws
of health Severe effort of the inter
mfttent kind by unframed persons is
more than likely to prove highly dam
gerous.
Reliable railroad statistics show that
| $4,000 pounds OF bicycles, or "a 900
machines, were shipped to San Fran
,, cisco last year, and it is estimated that
the spring trade has already called for
| an equal number.
It i better that your wheel should