New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-26

ma BILE and II is to be avoided as much as pos
sible The nearest point to the ferry that can be
reached on asphalt is Twenty-second-st at FIRST
ave-two blocks nearer than the similar pave
n,ent on Twenty-sxth-st. The belgian blocks on
Tw.entv-second-st between First-ave. and Ave-
nue. A are by no means good but they are quite
as good those on Twenty -thirc-st' ana ny
taking this course one avoids the cars. carrackS
and trucks that prevail on Twcnty-thrd-st. Inc
best route to the ferry, then, is by twenty
sc cond-st. and First-ave. which brings the rid n
within one block Of the ferryhouse. just az
present there signs bearing the WORD
Closed at each end of the block on twenty
seoond-st. between Second and Third ayes, but
the wheemen need not be alarmed on that ac-
count Work sewer is going on below the
street level, and while it is impossible for a
wagon to be driven through this block there is
plenty of room for any bicycer who is able
tc ride on an ordinary side path.
One who is familiar with Prospect Park and
the Coney Island Path finds when he crosses the
river and takes a turn in Central Park that the
drives in the latter Are by no means 81 smooth
or so wall kept as those in the park which
Is Brooklyn's pride They seem to be made OF
d fferent material In dry weather the surface
Is covered with an inch or two Of loose eand or
earth. and after heavy shower, like that or
last Monday night. they do not dry out quickly.
On Tuesday afternoon. for example, one making
the circuit of Central Park had 10 pick his way
in many places and in spots 1t was necessary TO
ride for a rod or two In the gutter to avoid
mud 1t was noticeable. however. that the follage
was considerably more advanced in Centrai
than in Prospect Park, although in both the trees
and shrubs have in the last few days made
rapid progress in putting on their dress or dell
cate green and red
The wheenan who sets out through BROOK
Ign to ride all the way to the splendid roads on
Long Island will find the task an unpleasant
one in some of its features. The route is. up
ri rhara
turn to the left is made After a ride Of nearly
three miles from this point. the present emu
of the Boulevard is reached and on going down
a rather steep hill. slight turn brings one INTO
New-York-ave Here the riders troubles begin.
A contract has been made for the Improvement
of the hill Just mentioned but on account OF the
oppostion of certain property-owners, no WORK
has yet been done. At the bottom Of the nil the
Glenmore-ave. improvement, as 1t is commonly
called will begin. Recently a sewer was iaiu
through East NewYork-ave., ana since the'i
considerable filling In has been done. IL Is pos
sible to ride over the piles OF sand ana sIa.eL
but has to go slowly to be safe. AFTER wv
% three blocks a serious obstacle is encounters
In the tracks Of trolley railroad. The track
here is lifted four or five feet above the general
level now reached, and there Is nothing t i i;l
the wheelmaa to do but to disinount, lft MS
machine on his shoulder and make his way as
best he can over the obstruction. rldaDle
road on the side of the fled-in place Is mere
East New-York-ave., and finds himself on LID
erty-ave Since last year cartracks nave Deeh
laid in this thoroughfare, and the car-line Is IN
operation, but on the whole II is somewhat
easier riding here than 1t was before the
cartracks were put down. On the eastern nan
of Lberty-ave. only one track mas peeh iaiu
thus far. AS the city line is neared, one looks
anxiousy for the improvement promised there
making direct connection with the beginning
is not in a forward state The flling-in process
is well advanced, but there are no signs or
macadam, and 1t is Necessary to disnount ana
walk over the sand piles down the hill.
Then at length the riders troubles are at an
end. The moment the smooth surface OF Broad
way is struck the wheels begin to go as II OF
their own accord. and the sensation is most de-
lightful after the three miles Of poor road that
have been traversed. Broadway, the Rocka-
way Road and the Merrick Road are In splendid
condition. 1t Is no wonder that they are popu-
lar with wheelmen. They will be still more so
when they are fairly accessible, as they Will be
so soon as the Glenmore-ave. Improvement Is
completed. Unfortunately, there are some legal
complications that may delay this much ,desired
work. for it appears that the avenue has not
been opened all the way, and some property Is
yet to be acquired.
Wheelmen who in the habit OF pausing at
the main entrance Of Prospect Park have lately
missed the drinking fountains formerly there
In the course Of the improvements that are being
made at this entrance they were taken away. but
In response to the suggestions Of some OF those
who have wanted 10 slake their thirst. and been
unable to do so, the Park Commissioner has
given orders that they shall be promptly re-
placed The necessary excavations have been
made, and in a day or two it will be possible TO
make connections with the water mains The
old-style fountains. with cups, Will be retained,
although many regard the bubbling fountains
as superior In the latter the water Is con-
stantly flowing out at the top OF small cup
shaped receptacle Only one person can drink
at time at such fountain, but 1t would be an
easy matter to have one Of these drinking places
with three four of the flowing cups.
Mike" Dady has the reputation Of being a
hustler and he will make things lively In con-
nection with the new Coney Island Cycle Path
He got his men at work on Thursday. and says
he will have the path finished by June 10. II 1t Is
necessary to work night and day to do 1t. Doubt
less 1t will be necessary II the work is completed
by the time named. Still, II Will be better to
have f1rst-cass path than one built in rush
Many Of the men who most devoted to
cycling buy wheel each year. You ask
them If their old one was In good condition and
they say 1t was They admit that the improve
ments in the newest model slight. and. in
deed, they seem to give no completely salts
factory reason for changing. As a matter OF
fact, a new wheel runs more easily than one
which has been ridden some thousands of miles
The ordinary rider. who goes perhaps 1000 or
1900 miles In a season, might not notice this diff
ference, but the man who makes long tours or
goes on century runs appreciates it. Then too
dealers customarily allow $50 for wheel Of the
previous year which cost 800. and thus the price
OF a thoroughly up-to-date machine Is virtually
only $50 to the man with old to give in
part payment Another point is that bicycles
after years use show some signs OF age. such
as imperfect enamelling and dingy nickel plating
and your true wheelman takes much pride In
a spick-a nd-span bicycle in his best suit of
clothes The dealers profit handsomely by this
custom Of getting new outfit annually. Not
only do they make their profit on the new bicy-
Gle but they>will fit the old one up and sell it at
an advance, It for hiring out.
THE LATEST CYCLING NEWS
A DINNER FOR W. W. ARMsTRONG-THE RIVER