Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-06-08
In Tho Cycling World.

The selectmen of Brunswick have de-
eide to tax bicycles on Il uniform valua-
tion of $40.
There are over forty bicycle agencies IN
Portland. representing more than ~ dr.
ferent makes of wheels.
II wheelmen would remember that a
bicycle needs good grooming as Wei as a
horse, there would be fewer calls Tor
manufacturers to make good their guar
antees.
Houlton assessors have assessed all BIZ
cycles owned in town April LIST. at least.
all that they could find. but; they are OF
the opinion that not more than nan the
numbers were given them.
1t is becoming quite common among
cyclists when wheeling IN company for
the rider in advance to hold up one nand
as warning when oblige to SLOW up,
and it is not a bad habit to fall III with.
London NAV be slow in some things.
but it can teach American cities some
new fads. The latest scheme in the
English metropolis IS a cycle cleaning
and polish bicycles as bootblacks shine
shoes.
The statement was recently made that
Sanford would now have to taxi Off her
hat to South Portland in the matter of
hicvcles. Sanford has a population of
1853 and 700 bicycles. Can South Portland
boast as many for the same number of
inhabitants.
A rider. lady or gentleman. who does
not know that it is dangerous TO look
back when travelling on a thickly
crowded t~horoughfare. is ignorant of the
first principle of safety. Every .cyclist
should mind the strict military injunc-
tion:-.Eyes front"
The number Of bicycles in use by men,
bers of Congress-. clerks. messengers and
other Capitol employees. is so large that II
was necessary to find a storage place for
them, and the old crypt under the ro-
tunda. built originally as a tomb for
Washington's remains, is now used for
that purpose.
Sometimes riders bend a pedal while
remote from a repair shop. 1t is often a
great temptation to pick up a stone and
try to hammer the bent metal back into
shape, A better way is not to attempt
pedal rather than try to mend a STU
wheel with IA $.o0o001 stone.
Many a country town with sandy and
rocky roads is now avoided by former
summer visitors who have taken to the
bicycle and seek to pass their vacations
where good roads can be found. thus one
locality loses while another gains, and
the one with the best roads is likely to
gain the most.-Portland Express.
The sides of certain streets much fire.
uuented by cyclists show smooth. hard
paths. Indicating what a tightening of the
burdens of taxpayers must follow upon
But meanwhile il considerable measure
of relief could be had by the passage of
an ordinance requiring the broadening OF
carriage tires generally. says the foTt-
land Transcript.
Hon. e. NJ. Goodall. captain of the San
ford cycle club George G.. Emery, the re-
Gently appointed member of the Maine
racing board, and W. j. Bodwell, who
compose the committee or arrangements
for the coming Fourth of July meet to
be held at the new cycle track at Mousam
river park, Sanford. have announced the
following events: Novice, half mile open.
bows race. one mile open, one mile open
10 State. n tandem and a handicap race.
Prizes to the value of $500 will be offered.
Washington has been terroriZed by
.scorchers.' who have raced II and
down the travelled streets. have knocked
down unwary pedestrians escaping on
their fleet wheels from the officers of the
law. But the days of "scorching in
Washington are now over, writes
"-Roundabout" in the Rockland Courier
Gazette. The police department. rising
to the occasion, has mounted some OF the
Datrolmen on wheels. The police very
quietly perfected themselves in the use
OF the wheel and after acquiring a good
rate of speed appeared on the avenue the
other evening attired in citizens clothes.
and lay in wait for the fear-inspiring
..scorcher" as he bore down the thor
oughfare on his destructive way. The Of
ficers had not long to wait and for Il time
the fun was fast and furious. eve
ning and the next day the police arrested
a dozen reckless riders who each paid s.
and promised not to do so some more.
Bicyclists are allowed to speed over the
city ~thoroughfares at a rate not to eX-
coed eight miles an hour.