The morning times., 1896-04-05
Valuable Suggestions for Won.
en- Who Want an IneX-
peRsiVe Foreign Trip.
THREE WEEKS ON A WHEEL

on her wheel. In England she can, dur.
ing her twenty-one days travelling by
bicycle. take in five cathedral towns,
visit oxford and Shaksspeare's country,
allowing herself Il few days in London, and,
including the costs OF her voyage over and
home again, accomplish d delightful outing
for $3.50.
A woman can do il on less by reducing
her expenses 10 81 day, but the above
estimate allows for the expenditure OF
S3 per day and the amount when wheeling
in England, which means every necessity
and comfort VIII be- provided, with plenty
or small change for Ups, ana bit OF ieeway
for indulgence in lUXuries aud souvenir
shopping.
OF course travelling at this rate does
not permit passage on an ocean grey
hound, putting up at smart hotels,
couple OF big trunks by way OF luggage
and the attentions Of lady maid, but VI
does offer excellent scope for a couple or
trio or women, WHO are fond of wheeling
and or sightseeing, to do a half of one
European country at a minimum OF cost
and ma NiiGum or solid ease and pleasure.
England, as everyone Knows, is a capi-
tai land for the best sort of bicycling,
and two or three women in a company
can scour the counties from Northumber
land to Cornwall in absolute safety, on the
bestof turnpikes and with perfect accommo-
datiOnsi in every wayside inn. Now, il there
Is group OF traNeFloytEg spinsterS who
have any such tour as the one suggested in
mind, let them take the advice or a woman
who has gone the route and insists that
July and August are the very best months
for the .OGrncy.
Then the roads are in excellent condition.
the weather settled and the inns prepared
for the tourists. We sailed said the wo-
man quoted, from New York directly to
London. as that is the least expensive way
tn rff Mt m he EnofiSh moi rnIpliS
The steamers on these London bound lines
are not provided with all the luxUries in
the world, but the solid comforts are to be
had for their moderate priceof passage, and
though the voyage is eleven days long, il is
a proper bracer and rest before the steady
work awheel.
CARRYING BAGGAGE.
We considered the question of luggage
matuTely beforehand" she continued, and
each woman settled on Il coed sized grey
canvas telescope bag to bold her belongings,
and we rejoiced heartily and frequently
afterward that such had been our decision.
Many tine and oft thOss heavy la rs were
faithfully carried about by porterS, maids.
etc, for the modest remuneration or Il
three penny piece, when steamer trUEk
even would have cost shilling or more for
lis transportation, and besides, when you
go on a wheeling tour, only a telescope bag
fun OF clothing is needed.
'sOur bicycle suits were our travelling
gowns as well. with the addition or a long
skirt. We wore al sea the same dark blue
sweaters, short jackets and grey felt al
pine hats, hi gh laced boots and stout
gloves we used throughout the tour on
land. The long skirt for each one was
straight, unHned AFFAIR or heavy storm
serge and underneath we were aTrdyed eN-
acily as for the wheel. From shoulders TO
toes, every woman was encased in the
IlGhtesJ weight of wool continuation suits,
a corded corset waist and silk boomers in
place OF The fussy, bunchy aud rather i'm
uraCticai Iinegerie one wears at home.
We each carried in the canvas bags extra
suits of the Combnia tious, a couple 81 night
robes and some soft silk shirt waists With
our toilet articles, and not only felt our
selves reduced TO the most sensible light
marching order, but found we had reduced
ouT laundry bills to the merest trifles.
IN LONDON.
Even before we set out, the itinerary
Of the wheeling tour WAS well defined,
and getting into London on Thursday morn
ing we determined 10 seay until Monday in
the melropCIiS. A very decent Blooms
bury Square clearinghouse took US in, CIV
ing US lodgings, dinner and breakfast at one
dollar and seventy-fiye cents per day, and
then we hustled around TO ST. Paufs, West
minister Abbey, the Tower, houses OF Par
A h. c. reStau aurants for eighteen cents each,
and took time to get in an hour at the head
quarters of the Wheelman's Tourist Club,
that is to the bicyclist what Cook is TO the
globe-trotter. 1t is more, because you
really can't wheel through England without
its good offices, nor know the best ad-
vantages OF such tour when you lack its
badge and maps.
Satisfied of your good character and
sports womanIike intentions, the Tourist
Club ma kes you one of its members on the
payment of a fee. Then il gives you a
badge that is not only an open sesame ia
civil treatment and best accommodations
in all inns, but it insures you the discount
OF lust one shilling on all your hotel bills
through the country. At the club head
quarters you then buy a road map and Sc
Iect your round of towns and counties
Specified trips are outlined all over the
map, you can at a glance choose a one,
two, three or four weeks jaunt, and time
even your mea Is, for every good house oi
entertainment is particularly designated.
At the Tourist Club you can also get a
list of lodging and table rates, consult them
every morning when your bin is presented
and il anywhere along the line innkeepers
try TO pinch a foreigner or neglect or fnso-
lence are Offered, you Just lodge a com
p!ant at the club, by letter or in person,
and you may be sure your cause VIII be
chaInpioned and the matter carefully in
yestigated.
ON THE ROAD.
Early Monday morning We took train
down TO Greenwich, for we were bound out
TO Canterbury. Our travelling skirts had
been folded into our bags and our bags sent
on to the inn where we would stop in the
old cathedral town. Each woman had got
into her cycling skirt, we had strapped our
tool cases under our seats ard fastened
across the middle Of our handle bars little
leather bags that sell in London especially
for cycling women. They are shaned like
our side bags for shopping. ard hold inside
a number OF little DeccSsaTies. flask OF
whisky, ron OF court plaster. paper OF
pins, one OF halrpIns, knife. PAIR of sCiS
sors. tooth brush, flat cake OF CASTLE soap
a fountain pen, notebook, and thread and
needle. on the outside a little round mirror
and watch are let into the leather. These
all fit into straps and cases. and the bag
does not measure more than six inches
square.
ITO the steering head or every wheel was
fastened. by straps, what looked to be q
roll Of very light varnished waterproof
cloth. These contained each a change OF
union under garments, night dress, q
pair of Emitted bedroom slippers. some clean
handkerchiefS, bath sronge. brush, comb
ana whiSE broom. Clothes TO that amount
were to last us until we rrived at Canter.
buTg- our ShlTls NSEG TIE OIuIIdiy Hdll'
divided sort, for werode drop frame wheels
recognizing that bloomers and the dia
mOnd frame bicycles are not used 10 any
extent 10y English women. Our money VIZ
carried in little leather pockets on the
outside of our leather belts, some of il
five pound notes. some in gold aud good
deal Of very small silver change. Wheel
ing In trios and quartets there is absolute
ly no danger to women on the high roads
while against storms and had Wea .hpr we
found We had safely counted on cottages
etc, as protection. Then, too, II hn TN.
initiated American can believe it, there
are stretches of three Mneks at q fimn In