New-York tribune., 1896-10-18
IN THE CYCLING WORLD.
COUNTRY CLUBHOUSE FOR WHEEL
MEN PROPOSED.


DAMAGE BY THE STORM At THE OCEAN END OF
THE coNEY ISLAND PATH-Ro,pHoUsEs
AND THE coSvENIENcEs THEY OFFER
-LUGGAGE-CARRIERs FOR TOURS
About year ago a scheme was suggested
to the Metropolitan Association OF Cycling Clubs
10 provide a country clubhouse for wheelnlen
In some convenient place in New-Jersey. Tho
idea seemed 10 be good one. and the officials
OF the association gave il some consideration
Then the matter was dropped and nothing more
was heard Of it. Now the clubs Of Brooklyn
have taken up the idea. ard It is proposed to
secure A plot Of ground adjacent to the Merricx
Road. and erect country clubhouse for cy-
clists. Some Of the prominent members Of the
larger clubs in Brooklyn considering the
proposition. and meeting may be held shortly
to decide what action 70 take The present idea
IS to have the house erected on the Merriok
Road somewhere near Valley Stream. II the
scheme is carried out business lines such
country clubhouse would not only ne A great
convenience 10 cyclists. but il would not be a
difficult matter :, make IL self-supportinc
f'oadnouses IN the outlying districts all
oolnS good business. and a country club for
cyclists run pleasant lines could not help
being popular Institution.
That the colleges will raks livelier interest
IN cycle racing hereafter seems assured. The
cycle meet in conjunction with the regular in
tercollegiate championships this year was sucn
a success that the chances are that the cycle
meet mex. season will he unusually interesting.
Columbia College won the intercollegiate cy-
cling championship this year. and IL will make
a determined effort repeal the victory next
season. professional trainer vii! be secured
and strong team will be put I'm the field. Vale.
Harvard. Pennsy lVania. Princeton and the other
large colleges evincing the liveliest interest
III cycling. and the next meet ought To he one
of the cyce-racing features OF the year in this
district.
Many whee!men were drawn 70 Gomez Island
last week 10y the reports OF extensive damage
al along the shore. and especially by that
caused near the lower end OF the twin Cycle
Paths. During the height OF the storm It was
impossible for anybody to reach the island by
wheel, even II the mud had not been a serious
obstacle to riding. for the lower part Of both
paths wa, flooded for some distance The
paths were not damaged 70 any extent. how
ever, although some sand was washed upon
them, and there are plain signs for many rods
OF the presence OF the flood in the chips, shaw
ings and bits Of driftwood that strewn
about ore who went down 10 tho shore in the
expectation that the shelter houses near the
beach had beer completely wrecked was
doomed to GisappoIninen-. II II true tina. the
most easterly Of the 'lr@c buildings Is destroyed
ard the outermost shelter has had its flooring
knocked all to pieces: the roof 90 this building
not harmed but the iron piles which II
rests are all out of plumb The shelter IN which
a restaurant established about "A year ago
suffered the least: most - The sand was washed
out from under i. brt the structure itself was
not seriously damaged II can he put in order
again for small cost. ana the restaurant has
already been reopenrd. No plans have vet been
made 10y the Brooklyn Park Department to
the future treatmerl Of this part of the Park
property for when the relentless sea has no
mercy.
There is "food FOR thought in the announce
ment that IN tho neH High School Building in
Detroit a room has been set apart that will
accommodate not less than 800 bicycles The
idea is not = new crc. bat this IS believed 20
be the first time that distinct arrangements
for the accommodation of cyclists have been
made in the plans for a school building. Pub
lie schools generally 10 not need to provide
bicycle roomc. as the pupils live near them.
but such rooms are necessity In the case oi
high schools and private schools that draw
pupils from large area school authorities
are beginning 10 appreciate this fact. although
some Of the conservatives are Slow 10 nccept a
new idea that seems To verge on the res olution-
airy
A veIl-known business man of this city who
finds a good deal Of enjoyment on the wheel.
while not unsusceptible 10 the charms of driV-
recently
man which created the impression on his mind
that he was the victim OF hard luck In the first
place he decided to postpone part Of his va
cation until October. when he felt sure OF having
good weather and good time out OF doors.
As Il turned out. October al least in the early
part. was uncommonly chary OF fine days. and 1t
happened that the hero Of this little narrative
chose n week that was chilly and forbddng and
TO some extent rainy. He managed 10 get on;
a good deal nevertheless but on one day, when
he was taking a no.e extended ride than the
weather usually permitted. he met with an
accident that was rather unusual. Everything
| was seemingly all right, and he was going at
fair rate OF speed when suddenly something
| appeared to be wrong with the saddle. IL be-
gan 10 totter under tho riders weight IN an
alarming vav. and he dsmourted as quickly
as possible expecting 10 frd the binding screw
loose As he took hold Of the saddle 10 locate
the trouble the whole thing came on IN his
hand. II then seen that the brazing be-
tween the saddle-pcst proper and the horizontal
bar az the top 20 which the saddle was attached,
had given way entirely. and there were distinct
signs Of a flaw Things were bad enough as
/ thev We're seeing that the rider ten miles
from any place where he could get the break
repaired or obtain another saddle. so that re-
he reflected that they might have been far
worae II he had been coasting. or going down
hill or riding rapidly anywhere. and me saddle
had slid from its noorngs q most serious fall
| would almost certainly have followed. lt seems
| in,possible TO guard against such An accident,
| save by the most sciupulous attention by nj
| cycle manufacturers TO all brazins work.
II is not an uncommon thing nowadays FOR
repair shops TO give free use OF foot pumps TO
ALL comers. and some OF the repair men are
sufficiently obligng to do the pumping for
casual passerby with the expectation OF gaining
/ his GOOD will and possibly job OF repairing az
| scTne later day As novel means or attract
| to attention TO this custom. the keeper OF
/ '--o ~ In Hllsnu RiNcr tnNuS