The herald., 1897-03-08

The date of the annual relay Of
the California Associated Cycling clubs
is still month off, but the riders are
training aesiduously for the contest,
which is considered the most remark
able of its character in the cycling
world The various teams are more
evenly balanced this year than on for
mer occasions, as they are made up en-
tirely of amateurs. The number of men
eligible to places on the various teams
is remarkable, and will necessitate care
full work on the part of those intrusted
with the selection. The fierce battle
waged In the last race will be repeated.
The first important match race of the
season will be contested at San Jose
on Wednesday next by Otto Ziegler of
the Garden City cyclers, and Floyd Nc
Farland, of the Olympic club wheelmen.
The race Is attracting widespread inter-
est, as the men are dissimilar In all that
contributes to the cycler's makeup
ziegler is a sprinter Of recognized abil-
ity, while McFarland's forte has been in
long distance work The race is in
mile heats, and fast pacing will be in
troduced.
Judging from the loud mutterings
that are heard In the south ard west,
says the New York Journal, the incom-
ing racing board will have nasty thing
to handle If the Sunday idea Is generally
practieed in those parts of the country,
as now seems very possible. Perhaps 1t
will be necessary for the executive COM
mittee of the league to find way out of
the difficulty by pouring little oil upon
the waters that are becoming decidedly
rough. But even should it come to
separate racing organization west OF
the Mississippi the east would lose much
lacc a n fc CartqfntV
that the stars of the path would prefer
the numerous and profitable meets of
the east to the scattered and not always
remunerative Journeys of the west. An
other year of agitation may convince
the National assembly that in attempt
ing to regulate the morals of the entire
country in cycle racing 1t is wisdom to
permit those divisions which desire 1t
to allow competition on the Lords day.
1t would. be an excellent move for the
executive committee to refer the matter
to the racing board, and that body could
stand the brunt Of any criticism which
might arise.
1t is the general opinion of riders who
have been much on the road that, while
the punctureless tire has not made its
appearance yet, the problem which for
merly seemed so hard has been solved
this year In such a way that no one
need be bothered with it hereafter, while
at the same time no one need feel COM
PEELED to use extra heavy tires as a
safeguard against DETECTION. This has
been accomplished by providing imple-
ments for mending tires which are at
once easy to use and thoroughly effective
There are half dozen such in the mar
ket now, and most of the manufacturers
of wheels furnish one or the other with
the repair kit of the wheel. At the same
time, good hand pumps have been made
by means of which an empty tire can
be inflated in a few minutes without
much exertion. This is, on the whole,
the happiest possible way out Of the
difficulty. In the attempt to make tires
that could not be pierced wheels were
weighted down at the very point where
extra weight counted most in retarding
progress, and residence was sacrificed
for strength, loss the full import of
which only those know who have tried
both lively and dead" tires.
The manufacturers report fair degree
of activity since the show in New York
city was closed. None of the large ones
Is up with his orders yet; but this Is no
indication of a great business on hand,
as few of them care to get ready large
stock until they see how the season is
going. 1t is probably true that as yet
FEWER riders than usual are disposed TO
get new wheels, merely to have the
latest, and of entirely new riders there
are of course not SO many this year as
last The academy men say they still
have fair number of beginners to in
struct, but men and women who cannot
ride a wheel are constantly becoming
scarcer, and soon, 1t Is believed, the only
source of new supply will come from the
natural renewal of population The
standard makers base their hopes of
good season very largely on the dimin-
ished number of dealers since last year.
They think there will not be so many
failures in 1857 as occurred in 1896, be-
cause there are not so many weak con-
Germs.
Judging from inquiries there will be
be a great many American bicycle tour
lists in Europe this summer. Every 9TH
er man who intends to cross the ocean
seems determined to carry his wheel
with him. The experience of those who
did so last season indicates that the
bicycle is not an inconvenient bit of
luggage by any means, and that 1t Is
a source of endless pleasure and ad-
vantage as a means of getting about
on the British islands or on the conti-
nent. Conveniences for storing it are
to be found wherever one goes, and Of
really good roads there Is no end.
TRAD AND TRIGGER