San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-03-15
CYCLE NEWS.

bicycle exports for the year 1895
was S6,959,OO0. Members OF the
trade in this country expect TO
drive England away from the pre-
serves in sight before many seasons
roll on. A few years ago English
bicycles were imported to this
country, but the American maker
wanted the trade for his own, and
he did not rest until he obtained it.
European countries demand the
greater part Of the exports today
From Australia, South Africa and
South America the demand Is OBJ
viously limited, and yet several
leading American houses have
established branches in Aus
tralia, while even more are
beginning to cultivate the field
in Europe. ave will not"
said a manufacturer recently, "pay
much attention to foreign trade
until the demand shows signs OF
Stacking off in this country. We
have shipped wheels to France,
Italy, Germany and Russia, and
we find that where prices and
standards are the same, American
wheels are preferred to those of
English make by foreign buyers"
This country will soon be famous
for its bicycle tracks. Today it can
boast of probably more than any
other country, and in quality,
judging from the records, they
equal any in the world. Towns
that have not built bicycle tracks
are making preparations to do so
this year, and not a week goes by
that two or three announcements
are not made to that effect. San
Antonio can be classed in this cat
egory, already having fine track
at the Jockey club grounds, and a
much better one is in contempla-
ton for our wheelmen, to be To-
Gated at the baseball park in Riv-
erside park.
1t seems as though before long
that there would be a good field in
every city for bicycle cleaning
stands, or at least for boys who
have a desire to make a little
money, and become known as cap
able OF cleaning bicycles in good
shape. Even IL such place as a
bicycle stand were not available,
if it were known that boys could
be procured at certain places who
would call when requested and
clean a bicycle properly for fixed
price, it seems as though they
would be in great demand. Also,
IL this were the case, there would
be a good many more bicycles
cleaned than there are being now.
The wheels would last longer, and
OF course, be more valuable.
There are few rules which the
cyclist should observe when rid
ing, and which may prevent acct
dent. The rider should never gaze
at his feet when riding, for the
reason that he hardly appreciates
the rate OF speed at which he is 60
ing, and would not unlikely run
into some obstruction before he
knew it, and perhaps receive seri-
GUS injury. It's proper when pass
ing a team, foot passenger or any
one whom he might meet on the
road, always to keep to the right;
or II they are going the same way
you are, pass them on the left. 1t
is no more than right when meet
ing horse that appears to be
frightened that the rider should
dismount. These few courtesies
are appreciated by every one, and
will not only gain respect for
wheelmen, but will make the sport
more popular than ever.
Billy Laing has a novel theory
in regard to pacemaking. He re-
iects the well-worn idea that the
rider, by being enabled to concen-
trate his attention on one thing,
namely, the rear wheel OF the pace
making machine, is relieved OF a
large proportion OF nervous strain,
and therefore able to attain his
highest possible speed. Mr.. Lsing
thinks that the pscemaker hauls
the racer along behind him by
pure and simple. He
holds that the displacement OF air
by the rushing pacing machine is
to a certain amount OF
traction so that a distinct mechan-
ical tie exists between the pace
maker and the cyclist following.
Granted that this is so, pacemade
race, or even a record, signifies
very little so far as the capability
Of the racing man is concerned. BE
is being lowed, so to speak, by an
invisible rope. OF course, he must
possess more or less experience and
skill in order to catch the tow and
hold on to it.