The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-05
BICYCLE NEWS
AND COMMENT
Current Gossip Of Interest to Those
WHO Bike.
MAKERS DISCUSSING 81 MODELS
Shrewd Washin ton Agents Get
Prominent Men to Ride Their
Wheels..Rules for Safe Sire Rid.
ing..New Track RccOrds..Old
Saddles Can BE Made New,

The bicycle manufacturers who have
sold their outputs for this season have
now turned their attention to the dis
cussion and arrangement of plans for
the '97 wheel. There will be some few
changes in next years wheel 1t seems
likely that the climax as far as light
ness is concerned has been reached. 81
that the new models next year will vary
little in weight from those of this sea-
son. The demand for brakes this year,
it is said, will compel the manufacturers
to fit their 81 wheels out with this ac-
cessory. leaving 1t to the option of the
purchaser whether he wishes a brake
or the present style of brake seems
likely to result I'm the introduction CT
some new attachments which will be
effective in bringing bicycle to a stop
and at the same time not mar the out
lines of the wheel. The demand for
gear cases ON wheels is also likely to
compel recognition from the manufac-
turers. 1t Is expected that some Of the
big manufacturers will provide light
weight gear eases for riders similar to
those in use in England. Gear cover
ing is u great convenience and help to
onehalf to one pound weight tn a
bicycle, its value overcomes the draw
back. A great number of small
changes are also anticipated.
A western railroad has devised IN
arrangement for carrying bicycles IN
baggage ears. which consists Of u
series of stalls. in which machines are
placed. and over the top of these stalls
Is a platform for the storage of trunks.
1t Is interesting to know that the prin-
cipal railroads are beginning to study
the question of bicycle storage. and 1t
Is thought when this question is prop.
erly understood the bicycle will cease
to be the objection'to baggagemen that
it is at present.
Washington bicycle agents use every
wheels they handle. Speaker Reed was
constantly besieged by agents, who Of
fered to present to him wheels built es-
pecially for him and properly adapted
for his avoirdupois If he would only ride
them. They did not even want the
privileges of advertising the fact that
he rOade a wheel Of a certain make, so
anxious were they to land him on their
machine. All sorts of attempts have
been made to convert Mrs. Cleveland
to cycling, and if she wanted to ride
she could ride golden bicycle studded
with precious stones. A Washington
cycle agent says: 81 paid white house
employe $3.50 once for helping me to in
sure President Garfield's life, and |
would give twice that amount to any
body who will help me to get Mrs.
Cleveland to ride one of my wheels"
The rule that in passing a carriage
or another bicycle moving in the same
direction wheelmen should go on the
left side is an excellent one. but of
course there are times when it is neces-
sary to depart from it. 1t is question
of good judgment here and everywhere
else on the bicycle. On passing a BIZ
cycle on the left a rider must always
keep sharp lookout, lest he comes face
to face with some one riding in an OPP
pOsite direction who has turned to the
right on meeting the vehicle. Obvious
ly. the second rider, in such a case.
would have the right of way. and the
first one should slow down until lie sees
this his road is clear.
Bicycle saddles which have become
stretched by use may become renovat-
ed to certain extent by dampening
the under side of the leather. This will
cause it to shrink. and. If the saddle Is
not too badly out OF shape, it will. after
pAp ha
New records on the track and road
have been expected this season. and the
leading riders have verified the early
predictions of their followers by Great
ing new figures at both short and long
distances. While some remarkable rec
Ords have been established on straight
away courses with the aid of strong
winds little credence is placed i'm such
performances. Some of the principal
worlds records up to date are as fol-
lows:
One quarter mile. flying start, paced,
ID '-5. by W. NJ. Randall at Coronado.
Cal. April II. 1896; half mile. flying
start, paced. AZ la by Earl Kiser at
Coronado. Cal. April II. 1896: one mile
competition with flying start. 1.50 %.
by Peter BerlO at New Orleans, Decem-
Der. 1885; one mile. flying start. paced.
139 l-5 by W. w. Hamilton at Coron-
ado. Cal. March =, 1896: so miles 1.42:42-
u. by Constant Huret at CatfOrd track.
London. June ., 1896: 100 miles. 3.ii: AZ
SO by l.. Palmer at Herne Hill track.
London, June q. 1896; one hour. ~ miles.
) yards. by Tom Linton at Catford