New-York tribune., 1896-10-04

II purports TO have been erected by the League
Of American Wheelmen. The hill is not precipi-
tous but the danger lies in the fact that the
trolley track on the west side OF the avenue
has to he crossed before the bridge is reached
and the road curves on the hill 1t Is not neces-
sary to dismount. but it Is prudent to ride slowly
and with ones wheel well under control In going
down the decvity. One who should ride down
helter- -sketer might easily get into serious difIl-
culties. In fact. wherever sign OF danger is
displayed II is wise to proceed with the utmost
caution until the rider is sure the danger point
has been passed
Unless the prevailing signs are misleading
there will be material increase in the number
of tandems ridden next yea. The demand Tor
wheels Of this character has outrun the supply
/ this year but within the last two or three weeks
II has been possible to find number Of more
or less used tandems offered for sale. Many OF
them have been quickly snapped up. con-
siderable number of dealers who keep wheels
for rental have "A few tandems on hand which
are rented 10 those who wish them at about
double the rates charged for single wheels
Some riders have the idea that there is pc
culiar knack in riding a tandem that has to be
learned before one can venture on this type OF
wheel with prudence AS matter of fact there
is nothing for an experienced wheeman to mas
ter in a tandem The rider going in front takes
his or her place while the rear rider holds the
machine steady Then the latter mounts pre-
cisely in the same way as II he were getting on
single" and the two pedal together. Tnerc
is something of knack in so pedalling and IT
is well for riders who propose a journey or
some length together to practise pedalling be
fore starting: otherwise each may feel as If the
other were back -pedaling all the way Another
thing to he learned Is that one Of the pair must
have control of the steering ana IN general
this is the rider on the back seat as he Is
usually the stronger rider and should he the
| directing force one disadvantage of tandem
| ridden by man and woman together is that
the brake must be- applied by the woman. while
| 1t is impossible for the man To do anything
toward holding the machine back except by back
pedalling. As remedy for this 1t has been
| suggested that a second brake should be ap
piled. to he worked from the rear handle-bar;
eih her the so-called invisible brake. or one Of
/ the pneumatic variety working on the rear tire.
Several of the tire manufacturers make specially
! heavy tires for tandems. but on some tandems
! tires Of the ordinary weight are found to give
satisfaction.
| The pneumatic brake just mentioned operates
! by the pressure Of a bulb of rubber on the
! handle bar. which forces air into an appliance
! attached to the rear fork and brings pressure to
/ bear on the tire. man whose wheel was
equipped with this apparatus was asked by the
writer few days ago how this sort Of brake
/ worked "Oh. IL works finely was the answer.
! and haven't the least fault to find with IT ex
! cept that whenever leave my wheel standing
anywhere in public for minute or two. some
!
That Is a nuisance, can assure you. and have
| thought of taking the brake off To get rid of It.
Accidents continue to happen on the Gorge
Road north Of Weeha wken. where one wheel
| man was fatally injured this year The point Is
| "A dangerous one. and the road ought not to he
ridden down 10y any one unless his bicycle is kept
| under perfect control every moment. Danger
| signs and protecting fences are not sufficient To
| insure the safety OF wheelmen in such a place.
The only road Of safety Is 10y the exercise OF eau
! tion whenever unfamiliar hill Is reached
| Coasting is less In favor than formerly. but
many riders are wont to go down hill rapidly
simply to avoid the exertion incidental To back
| pedalling.
An ingenious device has been employed in the
West To keep cattle off Of cycle paths without
| interfering with the free use Of the path by
vh.elmea At each road crossing a gate is
placed which is usually kept locked, but may be
op.ned ON the occasion OF parades or on holi-
davs A, the side OF the gate is cattle
guard" constructed in this manner. pit
| about three feet by four and two feet deep Is
| dug Az the top Of the pit an oak frame Is set
and across it. level with the top. is placed
"A row of two-inch gas pipes. two inches apart
Across these pipes bicycle can b" ridden WIFE
| ease almos, without joltng the rider while
COWS horses. sheep. etc. find 1t impossihIe TO
cross the barrier.
| Tires with a surface more or less uneven ana
| corrugated are growing in favor. or at least are
! b.li.v.d bv the manufacturers to be in demand
| and several new styles are likely To be on the
| market next year. The advantag" claimed FOR
mos, ~ these tires is that they are less likely to
| slip than smooth tires. but the advantage IL
| doubtful one. That was the opinion 81 ridri
| whose wheel was equipped with "A pair of such
| tires when. on making = break for hotel
niazza to ,scap- "A sudden shower. he allowed his
| wheel To swcrve slightly and toppled over In the
| soft mud After picking himself up and endeaV-
! oring To wipe OF som" Of the filth that stained
| him from shoulder To heel h. remarked ruefuly
| Ia his companion: They say those tires wont
| slip hut guess know more about II than they
| do"