The sun., 1896-10-05
NEWS OF THE WHEELMEN.
BUTLER, COOPER, AND BALD CLOSE
LIZ MATCHED FOR HONORS.

n Race Between tho Speedy Trio May Ne
Necessary to Decide tho Professional
Champion ship-Johnson Not Considered
ss Factor-The Desirabiiity or Brakes
In recent professional races the three leading
riders, Thomas Cooper, Tom Butler, aud L. @.
Bald. have shown about equal speed. and in
order to rightfully determine the champion Of
the season It has been suggested that match
race between these three riders be held. Cooper
aud Butler have done the most creditable work
on the average. but lately Bald has gotten back
to his form and Is riding wonderfully fast
While Butler is conceded to be the surprise Of
the year, Cooper is acknowledged to be tho
fastest man on the American path this season.
A match between these three riders would excite
widespread interest.
While A. A. Zimmerman held tho title Of
American champion the friends OF John y.
johnson claimed that the latter was the fastest
rider in this country and sought to bring about
match race to test the supremacy OF the two
men. The riders never met in match contest,
and up to this season the admirers OF johnson
maintained that he was the greatest rider In
E.his country. The recent race between Tom
/ oopc- and johnson ut Waverly, when the
| Emer cut The pace for johnson for the entire
,iance and beat him out at the finish, was
Il huf that JohnsUn's claims 10 championship
/ nors are very light.
The demand for lightweight bicycles seems
Ipassing away and next year 1t is likely that sem
IBtble riders will have gear cases as well
brakes attached to their wheels. The nd dYocRtes
OF brakes. who were in the minority last spring.
are now very numerous. The danger that con-
frunts riders who do not use brakes is felt in
England as we'll Us in this country. Wheeling
in commenting on the Rdvisability OF The gem
erul use of brakes refers to a recent death OF n
rider from losing control OF his wheel on hill
and says:
knowing tho Importance OF tho brake Que6tlon.
ally in view or the numbers OF recruits who
taxing up cycling every dar, we have strenuously
held ana argued In favor OF the brake. We nave
been charod In certain dashing circles AS aarnlsts
and old women. but the Hccldents that have
happened since we hrst touched on the question
ample proof TO that have taken the right view
OF the matter. 1t Is absolute folly for expert cyclists
for nIdd! aged and elderly and women. and for
girls, hundreds OF whom are becoming cycsts every
day Such people cannot be expected To conro their
machines skimlly riders who have been II
years. and who have perhaps had racing anu record.
/ breaking experiences.
I The unfortunate fad for stripping tho machine OF
every ounce of weight tnat cnn possibly be dispensed
with Is at the bottom OF tho mischief In ths mat
the public generally has followed the lead OF the
racing man and the scorcher We havo mose than
of pounds, one way the other. make no prac.
tical difference the average rider. who Is
satisfied with moderate paacc. and pOtternR nt out
for the sake OF health and recreation There are
times when even the most daring anu expert rider
would be all the safer f he had brake on his
machine. Every one of these accidents only con.
firms the belief that II Is our duty to point out
the insanity OF tho brakeless craze and TO urge on all
concerned the growing necessity for dscountenancng
and Giscouraging 1t.