New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-05

great deal which would add to the enjoyment OF
the trip Experienced cyclists. to whom riding
itself is only a means and not an end. recommend
for foreign tours an average pace or nfty miles
day. This gives time to visit places or interest
and to become acquainted with people and their
ways. 1t should be remembered that the ram
does not interfere with wheeling In England as II
would on the ordinary roads In this country
Whila showers may be frequent over there they
commonly do not last long. and the highways are
in prime condition hour or two later While
the subject OF good roads is the chiet one ais
cussed in THE l.. A. w. Bulletin. II Is hardiy
touched on In The {. T. c. Monthly Gazette.
This illustrates strkingy the difference between
cycling here and In England
June. especially the latter part Of It, was un-
favorable for cycling on account Of the frequent
rains and those bent running up mileage
records fell far behind their schedules. Sundays
have been especially rainy. riding being possible
only early in the morning and late in the after
noon last Sunday and about dusk fortnight
before The experienced cyclists have learned to
circumvent the rain. however. Often the fall is
not widespread, and by taking a train for
short distance may get beyond the storm
Thus last Sunday while there was rain in this
city. party of wheelmen returning from the
Berkshires saw until they reached Will
iamsbridge. Sometimes the rainfall Is confined
to the coast. and by travelling inland for an
hour or two by train one may reach dry ROADS
One has only to visit Philadelphia to see what
can he done in a large city to make riding on the
bicycle in all parts OF II delight. Just how
many miles of smooth paved streets Philadcl-
phia rejoces in the possession OF the writer Is
not informed but the number is certainly more
than hundred. Compared with the city OF
Penn. New-York and Brooklyn. in spite OF all
that has been accomplished In the last two or
three years. seem TO be hopelessly behind the age
In Philadelphia II seems possible to ride almost
anywhere on the bicycle in comfort, without COM
ing into contact with stone blocks, much less
cobblestones. save perhaps for few squares
1t is true that granite pavements prevail in the
business quarters. but. nevertheless, one can ride
to his place of business from almost every direc-
ton without going such pavements for more
than a short distance. And all these improve
ments have been provided within two years or n
little more When the surface railroad compa-
MES obtained the privilege of running their cars
with electricity of the conditions imposed
that they should repave the streets used by
them with such material as the proper city OIL
cial might designate. AS to the casual visitor IL
If there IVES trolley line IN every
street it is easy that the people have
profited largely by this arrangement. and the
railroads do not appear to have been deferred
from using the improved form Of traction In adj
dition to what the railroads have done. the city
has laid a good deal Of asphalt on its own ac-
count and hence Philadelphians rejoice. among
other things in the wonderful stretch OF lne
asphalt on Broad-st. which is, unfortunately,
broken by some poor block pavement for two or
three squares in the vicinity OF Spring Garden-
St Two years ago, resident Of West Philade-
phia said. 1t out of the question for one TO
ride a-wheel to the public buildings. on account
Of the rough pavements. Inc translorillauon
that has been wrought is wonderful one. ~
should be an example and an inspiration LOT
other cities
Not only has Philadelphia many miles OF as
phat and brick paved streets that make wheel
ing a perennial pleasure. but within the city
limits and in the great Paramount Park is one
of the finest and most romantic drives that an!
American city can boast Of To the stranger
in Philadelphia this is an greater revela- |
ton than the wonderful smooth pavements that
traverse the town in all directions. The drive
up the Wissahickon Creek follows the banks OF
a lovely stream that flows through gorge
whose sides rise 200 to 300 feet. The drive Is
perfectly kept and is free from mud almost i'm
mediately after a hard rain. The scenery Is
wonderfully beautiful and on this drive there IS
a total absence of that monotony which Is felt
by any one who has gone few times over the
Coney Island cycle paths The WissahlckOn
Drive is six seven miles long. and is entirely
within the city limits 1t is not in the least
surprising that 1t Is extremely popular win me
wheemen Of the Quaker City, while 1t is also |
much used for driving. Those who go up the |
drive virtually compelled to return by the
same route. The drive leads TO Chestnut Hin, |
one of the attractive suburban residence dis
tricts of Philadelphia. but from the upper |
end there is other good road running back
to the city. Along the drive are a number OF
rOadhouses More attractive to wheelmen gen. |
orally is the running water that is to be had for |
the holding of cup under the cool and re- |
freshing streams that gush from the hillsides in
two or three places. Tin dippers are provided
so that more than one person can drink stimuli
taneousy. and it is characteristic OF the prevail
alrAr hnna n
sary to fasten the dippers with chains to Keep |
them from being carried away
The question OF brakes is one that each rider
apparently must be allowed to settle for himself.
No hard and fast rule that will fit all cases can
be laid down Most rider$ Will admit without
hesitation that the ordinary mandrake is an
uglv affair but those who have always accus- |
toned themselves to the use Of 1t regard 1t as
Indispensable. The advocates Of footbrakes are
less numerous. and appear to be considerably
fewer than the men who use the shoe sole as a
brake No one denies that brakes are necessary
for women riders, and few are the male riders
who dispensing with brake themselves. would
think 1t prudent for their wives or sisters to
ride brakeless wheels AS a contribution to the
discussion Of this question the following remarks
of a man who has just returned from an ex-
tended tour may be Of interest. Before start
ing" he said. Il put footbrake on my wheel.
My conrade, on the other hand has beer in the
habit Of braking with his foot, and believes that
no other brake Is necessary although when he
first began to ride he used a mandrake. In
our trip We found a number Of hills which 1t was
not safe to ride down without braking. In the
first two or three days / used my footbrake a
number of tmel, and then discovered that |
had skinned my tire in two or three places;
that is l had torn off the outer covering OF rub
Der Probably there had been some gravel or
other rough substance on the brake when APP
piled It, which did the mischief. After that
used the brake sparingly as possible. and
back -pedalled going down many hills where my
sole His tire