New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-13
IN THE CYCLING WORLD.
AGREEABLE RIDING WEATHER LAST
WEEK.
LACK OF SIGNS on ROADS OF THE NORTH SIDE
sPROCKETS AND TIRES on WHEELS
FOR NEXT YEAR

SPROCKETS AND TIRES on WHEELS
FOR NEXT YEAR.
December has given some of the finest cycling
weather Of the year. Just after Thanksgiving,
when the first snow came, II looked as If win
ter had arrived in earnest. and as il there might
| not be many more opportunities for riding BIZ
cycles. 1t has turned out quite otherwise Last
Sunday. for example. was a perfect day for out
door exercise. and the number of wheelmen and
wheelwomen who took advantage Of II was le-
gion. The roads, too. were in fine condition. at
least rs soon got outside of the city
proper In the parks there considerable
mud, and not all Of the asphalted streets were
free from snow and Ice. But once out Of the
built-up sections into regions where the
had had fair chance at well-constructed road
ways. and the conditions for riding could not be
improved. out on Long Island the macadamiZed
roads stretched out in front of the eye like long
white ribbons. and there not a suggestion of
mud 10 interfere with the pleasure of the riders.
There was a fairly brisk wind throughout the
day, and those going eastward looked forward
with some apprehension to the struggle against
the wind which they expected to have the
return journey. To their surprise, when they
turned about they found the wind no obstruction
to Their progress. but only pleasant zephyr in
their faces. And Sunday was only the begin
ming of n series of days "wednesday excepted
that made all wheeling folk think that the time
might be considerably remote when they would
have TO give over their favorite sport for the
winter season.
IT has been made evident already that the re-
turn Cycle Path from Coney Island is an I'M
provement over the original path because con-
structed with foundation Of broken stone sew
eral inches thick. For about three weeks every
fall and sprirS when freezing and thawinC take
place day after day in the surface Of the
ground. the path built TWO years and a half ago
is Of little service TO whcelmer as II gets soft
and muddy and s greatly cut up by wheels
passing over II. In constructing Il the crushed
stone used for top dressing was placed directly
on the clay after the latter had been graded
Consequently there is little opportunity for
drainage. and the effects Of the frost going into
and coming out Of the ground are plainly anpar-
ent. on the new path opportunity is afforded
Tor the surface water 10 sink down through
the store foundation and the surface is thus left
dry II would not be bad idea TO shu: blcy-
Giles out Of the old path during two or three
weeks twice year. the return path would fur
nish sufficient accommodations for all who ,,eh
to ride at the season when this would be nee
cssary. and the cutting up os the old path would
thus be avoided.
One OF tho things sore,y needed IN the unncr
part Of this city AT stree; crossings as well nc #
all road intersections within the metronoliton
district. is signs indicate to the stranger which
way he ought 10 go. one who goes north from
Central Park VIII ere long find himself confused
by the absence Of these conveniences which
ought by all means TO be provided especially AZ
the cost would be comparatively little Not far
above Woodlawn Cemetery the rider comes TO
q point where two broad and attractive roads
lie before him. but there is not the rcmotest SUI
Gestion outside Of his inner consciousness ia ten
him which one ne ought TO follow. \ few weeks
ago two wheelinen on the way to White Plains
made wrong turn In Mount Vernon. where no
signs were displayed. and soon found Themselves
IN Pelham. some distance out Of their way On
Long Island. II is gratifying 10 note some i'm
provement has recently been made I'm this mat
ter. and on the Mcrrick Road and the roads load
Ing To IL signs have been placed for tho b.nn0,
Of those unfamiliar with the region. The League
Of American Wheelmen has promised to do some
thing toward refn"cying the lack OF guit.bpar,ls
II has n large and inviting field to cultivate
One may walk long distance on n foggy day
and not find hts outer clothing perceptibly damn
at the end Of his Journey. Not so the man who
rides bicycle through fog for a considerable
distance. SO many riders learned who went
forth on Thanksgiving Day. Although tho city
paVemcnts. especially those Of asphalt were wet
muddy and trcacherous the macadarn roads In
the country were In splendid condition and wholly
free from dust. There only one drawback
10 the riding namely. the dampIcss OF the at.
mCspherc-and Whcclm-u who came hack fror,
a run Of thirty or forty miles found al the end
OF their Journey that their clothing was almost
soaked from the fog The same experience Is
sometimes had IN ride of "a few miles when
heavy fog is rolling IN.
One Of the questions likely TO be much dis
cussed in the wheeling fraternity the coming sea-
son is that OF the size Of sp.ocket wheels There
is tendency 10 the use OF larger ones tnnn have
usually been placed on bicycles. but 1t is a dis
puted point whether any advantage Is secured
thereby. No, improbably there VIII always be
strenuous differences Of opinion on the subject,
he a1V M ksfG tbo,