Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-17

OF course the bicycles were supplied free
py the makers. When a customer in their
sales room would demur at the list price
of new mount the sapient salesman
would say. well, here's d wheel that's
a bargain. AS you see, 1t is absolutely
new Not even scratched. AS a matter
In the market. but 1t is technically a sec
ond-hand because Smith rode 1t IN the
JonesVilie road race-won the race with
1t, you remember-but the tire was pune
tured afterward. Smith never rides a
repaired tire, so he telegraphed for a
new machine exactly like 1t and sent this
back. Wen put on new tire, and there
you are
By this means Smith-that isn't the
name-probabiy succeeded in aiding the
sale of some thirty 80 wheels at $40 or
SO each. or a tidy little cash Item Of s.. 25O,
about what the same goods would have
brought at ordinary sale less the agents
commissions.
Bicycle Polo.
The present rage for tandems is expect
ed to continue during '07, and many light
tandems are being built. The bicycle built
for two was, early in the passing present
season, used mainly for pacing purposes,
but tandem racing is having quite a little
boom this autumn and will undoubtedly
rage with much viruence next year. It's
dangerous business. like road racing but
like road racing it will be hard to STOP
The most exciting novelty Of the wheel
Ing season has been bicycle polo, which
was practically unheard of until about a
month ago. 1t is rather dangerous game
but not more so than polo as played with
ponies at an East Indian gymkhana or a
Meadowbrook. Hunt meet. low-geared
bicycle has decided advantages in playiny
it, because 1t Is so much easier suddenly to
check or start it. Precisely so, a low-gear-
ed pony-that Is to say. one that can start
or stop promptly and is quick in turning
is preferable to one that is merely fast
OF course, the rider in bicycle polo must
have quick eye for distance, be able to
ride hands or at any angle, and to turn
In the shortest compass In spite of it's diff
hcult1eS- the game will be the principal at
traction at most of the big exhibition meet
iEgs in the riding academies this winter.
A contest in which there is good deal Of
fun and no danger, and which is, therefore
Well fitted for academy use, is the sloW-rid-
ing race. A space 100 feet long and two
feet wide is marked off for each racer"
Inc contestants take a start from the step.
The one who. without crossing the chalk
line on either side of his two-foot path,
without dismounting and without coming
at any time to absolute standstill
reaches his goal last, Is declared the WIN
ner.
Contests AvheeI.
Variations suggested by the idea of the
bicycle duel will be pretty common in hall
riding. Boxing and fencing contests ION
bicycle back are quite as practicable as
they are on horseback, and on the whole
rather less dangerous in proportion as the
height to fall Is less. There were beautiful
trick riding, quadrille evolutions and team
riding in the academies last winter. but the
element of competition was rather lacking.
This winters exhibitions will gain in inter-
est by an infusion of more of the spirit Of
rivalry.
The coasting contest was almost unheard
Of in cycledom until the present year,
when it has proved very popular. Such a
contest can, Of course, be held only out of
doors. The start may be either a mounting
ore, or push-on by the helper. but should
never be flying one. In either case the
feet do not touch the pedals. Each wheel
runs until the rider is compelled to topple
over sidewfse. Coasting contests are held
to afford the fairest test of the easy run
ming qualities Of the wheel itself, but it
would be idle to deny that skill enters into
the competition to very considerable ex-
tent. So does weight. Heavy wheels seem
to coast better than light Ones which Is a
considerable argument for their use In
touring where the rider is at least half the
time going on a down grade.
Riding the bicycle will be more general
next year than ever before. ALI signs point
to total sale even greater than in SO
What the end of 1t all will be no man
knows, but there are many more true
things to be said for the sport than against
1t.