New-York tribune., 1896-05-24
available as the Merrick Road is continuation

| 1t is difficult TO acquit Wheelmen or an undue
| fondness for sidewalk riding. The trip along the
south shore of Long Island would be far from as
popular as it is now were it not for the path that
is ridden on most OF the way. The residents do not
seem to object to the use of the sidewalk. How
ever. wheelrnen often keep to it when there is
hard path in the roadway or when the entire road
il in perfect condition 1t must be admitted that
a gravel sidewalk furnishes the best riding there
is, especially when there are trees to give re-
freshing shade. II IL also to be noted that
cyclists sometimes continue on the sidewalk While
passing through villages and towns. 1t would be
we'll to practise some self-restrant on this score,
lest the abuse Of the privilege Nad to serious re-
striction Of il.
81 heartily approve" said wheelman. "the re-
marks of The Tribune G. week or two ago in the
Sunday cycling department about placing a lock
on ones wheel when one has occasion to leave IT
in any public place, and thoroughly believe in
the principle there laid down that when man
is seen on a street with wheel which there
is a lock he should be aiken into custody by the
first policeman, unless he is able to give salts
factory account Of the way in which he lost his
key. But have a word Of warning to utter in
reference to the use of the lock that goes around
the sprocket wheel and the chain. Let me tell
you my experience with such a lock purchased
when they came into use Few months ago,
and thought | had made an excellent invest
ment. one day had occasion TO use my new
lock- and when my errand was over | forgot that
| had put the lock or ana mounted in the usual
manner. The lock did Its duty, of course, and the
result was that had a broken chain to deal with
! have never used the sprocket lock since but
have put on my chain lock when have need 10
use one | know the sprocke; lock has It's ad
vantages, but | do not wish to the risk Of
another broken chain. 1t was the fault Of my
memory of course, but am afraid that my men,
ory may play me false again.
Some newspaper columns ostensbly devoted 10
the dissemination of information for riders Of the
bicycle are more or less prolific In giving cur
| rency to misinfornaton. What, for instance can
be thought of the writer who recommends a trip
on Staten Island. and says that after leaving St
George the proper route IS to to the left until
you come into the broad street Of Stapleton,
which soon narrows into the Amboy Road?" To
reach the Amboy Road has to leave the
broad street in question at right angle. turning
into Vanderbilt-ave. which does in time become
the Amboy Road. The point where the turn Is
to be made Is not clearly marked, 1t may be
recognized If one takes note of large lawn on
the right hand side which is surrounded by a low
stone fence. This fence down to Wander
b.lt-ave and then. turning the corner. runs along
it for some distance. If one passes this point.
keeping on the macadam. he will soon find him
self at Fort Wadsworth. and from there the Am
boy Road can he reached only by retracing ones
steps for some distance or by taking cross
country short cut by the Fingerboard Road. j. Is
fair riding on this road. The Amboy Road IS in
good condition for the most part, with the eX-
ception of mile after passing NeW-DOrp.
where the aCadamzlng has not beer completed.
Some walking is necessary here. but the entire
road will be completed before the summer Is over.
The mistake noted at the beginning Of this para
graph is as absurd the statement made by an
other writer about year ago. who said that on
arriving at Tottenville one could by turning 10
the right take "the Amboy Valley What he
| 81 Co. IDerfh Ar,nl..
a bell on a bicycle is a useful and even indis
pensable thing In most cities and villages bells
are required by law. but rule. the laws are
not very strictly enforced. They are good laws
nevertheless. Still, 1t cannot be doubted that
there is too much be-ringing especially by boys
who think IT a fine thing to make noise. even If
they do not take delight in giving pedestrians
fright The use Of the bell IS especially TO be
deprecated when one is riding on a sidepath and
| some one Is walking on the path ahead OF him.
The bicycler ought to remember that the pedes-
trian has the first right there. and that he HIM
self is the path only by sufferance. To sound
his bell, which is equivalent to a peremptory
order to get cut Of my way" IS gross piece Of
impertnence. and the pedestrian has a right 70
resent it. The polite wheelman-and there are
some of this class-will make courteous re-
quest please allow ne to pass. or words 10
that effect and will then acknowledge the favor
done him II has been suggested that system
OF bell signals be arranged - that riders might
give information of their intended movements
when meeting passing other riders or vehicles.
The usefulness Of the bicycle has been made
manifest In many ways and many riders have
found satisfaction in learning from their cyclom-
eters the distances between certain points a case
has just come 10 hand in which cyclometer was
used by school superintendent in this State
Iotu cpb.l lol-
houses, the measurement thus taken being made
the basis Of his official report and recommends
ton on the subject. The cyclometer certainly is
great convenience. and so many patterns arc
now made and they are sold at such moderate
prices that they are within reach Of every one
Some Of the new patterns this year not only
record the total distance travelled up 10 10000
miles. but are provided also with dial or hand
which can be set for each days trip. The small
est OF the cycometers is tiny cylinder. hardly
bigger than an ordinary thimble Its measuring
power is 9,999 miles, and It is said TO be a we'll
made and most accurate piece Of mechanism.
What to do with the dogs is still an uppermoet
question in the minds Of men who contemplate
bicycle tours Every one who has been out into
the country has had more or less experience with
dogs and knows what nuisance they are. The
ammonia gun is recommended by some. and is
undoubtedly effective without being harmful in
It's effects After receiving a charge Of ammonia
any dog is rendered harmless for the time being.
In Germany a new invention has come into
| for the suppression Of dogs 1t is called the BIZ
| cycle bomb While harmless in itself, ii explodes
! with terrific conclusion that Is warranted TO
scare any dog of his seven senses. at least
| until the bcycle-rider is half mile away. The
| bomb is a small affair, and can be easily carried
! In the pocket. When thrown on the ground 1t
! goes off at a great rate, paralyzn8 the dogs
| nerve centres for time.
The sad accident by which man lost his life
| in New-Jersey last Sunday appears to have been