The record-union., 1896-07-12

ooasting event ever held will be that
now being promoted by the. Metropoll-
tan Association of Cycling Clubs Of New
ork City. 1t will take place August
18th on one of the hills on the Irving
ton-Milburn course in Jersey, made IA
nous by the great handicap held there
annually on Decoration Day. However,
coasting on steep grades should never
be attempted, for when the rider has
no control of the pedals he or she is in
danger of serious accident.
*
At first the bicycle rider was hailed
by the farmers in the vicinity of New
York as a nuisance and a menace to
their interests. Now, however, he is fast
coming to be recognized as something
from which the farmer may derive a
good income. Sunday, which used to be
Il day of rest to the rural dwellers, has
become one of bustling activity. Each
Saturday night many of them drive to
town and lay in a supply of lemons,
soft stuff" cigars and ice, and their
kitchen table, taken out in the front
yard, and ready for the thirsty wheel
men coming their way. The more en-
terprising have benches spread around
on the shady lawn, and they pick up
many a dollar from the young man and
his best girl, to whom such accommoda-
tions are most welcome after a ride on
the hot, dusty road.-Boston Trans
cript.
The members of the National Cycle
Board of Trade are discussing the idea
of establishing a standard color for bi-
cycles, and some interesting arguments
Will doubtless result. Inasmuch as the
makers of cheap wheels may initiate
the enamel of the standard manufact-
urers, a color which has established it
self like the wheels which bear it, is
open to some criticism. An argument
in favor of black is opposed by makers
who have a distinct color which charac-
terizes the type of their wheels as much
as the name plate. Black enamel may
be used to a large extent on some bicy-
cles, but the variety of colors will pre-
vail as long as the wheel lasts.
Tandems have become wonderfully
popular this year, and a new tandem
which has just appeared promises to be
more popular than any of its predeces-
sors. The little machine is known as the
Juvenile Tandem" and the youngsters
ought to be happy. Many inquiries have
been sent to the makers this year for
a double machine. for the little folks,
but the manufacturers have been so
busy turning out the regulation bicy
cles that they have not given the at
tention to the matter that the demand
would seem to warrant. One firm has
taken the initiative, and has turned out
lot of these tandems and the wise
business policy which prompted this
move is already apparent. The "Juven-
lies" are made with 26 "a and 20-inch
wheels. The smaller tandems are listed
at 500, and the 26-inch wheels at S125.
Riders possessing a due regard for the
rights and privileges of pedestrians
never clang their bells unnecessarily. 1t
is sufficient for the careful observing
cyclist to give timely warning only, not
to ring his alarm after the occasion has
passed, or in a hySterical manner when
it is too late. The wheeling critics of the
larger cities can best comprehend this
statement. Take New York City for
instance. Green cyclists run down pc
destrians almost daily there, and in nine
cases out of ten it develops that the
rider rang too late, forgot to do it, or did
it when too far away for his victim to
note the warning. Common sense will
dictate when to ring and when not to
ring.
The woman novice rushes calmly into
dangers which would make the hair of
! old and experienced masculine riders
stand on end. She knows practically
/ nothing-that is, about bicycling-and
/ fears absolutely nothing. 1t is enough
to make one shudder to watch the pro-
gress of an inexperienced woman cyclist
| through a street crowded with traffic.
/ However, she seldom gets hurt, owing
| to the disposition Of riders to give her
/ the whole street Her wild antics al
ways disappear with experience.