The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-25
BIKE NOTES AND FANCIES
WHY THE Dig MEET OF 1898 SHOULD
COME TO INDIANAPOLIS.
0mcers Selected for the Terre Haute
Road Records Accepted.


right TO ask for 1t, regardless of the fact
that another city sets up a prior claim"
The prior claim" in an affair of this kind
ought not and doubtless will not be given
consideration. The claim of other cities that
they asked for the meet first ought to get
as much for these cities as the small boys
get out Of their claims as they stand before
the confectioner's window and make their
selections of the sweets. II choose that big
candy plum" says one. mo you don't"
says another II saw it first" And while
they are quaTreling another boy comes
along, pays the price OF the oon-bon and
takes it proudly away. He was successful
because he had something valuable to offer
in exchange for the coveted prize. That IS
the way indianapolis stands in the race for
the 1898 meet. While Omaha is quarrelng
with Chattanooga and Saratoga, and per
haps. willing to inveigle this city into the
fuss. Indianapolis will go calmly on and
show to the wheelmen and those interested
in the meet that this city is the best place
to come in 1898
The fame Of Indianapolis as a convention
city has already gone abroad With the ex-
ception of the two principal political par
ties 1t has entertained conventions of al
most every large organization during the
have been those of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association, an international conven-
ton; the Baptist Young Peoples
Union, the Christian Endeavorers the ma
tional convention of the Gold Democrats.
the international convention of machinists
and numerous religious, social and labor
conventions.
The hotel accommodation are excellent
and sufficient to take care Of the visitors
who would attend the meet. Besides the
Bates, Denison and Grand Hotels, the three
leading houses in the city, there is now be-
ing erected by William i. English a new
house to occupy one entire segment of the
Circle 1t will be modern in every respect
and will contain enough rooms to accom-
modate several thousand guests. Ine Bates
House was, until recently. under the man
agement ard proprietorship of Louis Rel
bold, who made the house famous from
coast to coast and from lakes to gulf The
Denison is one of the largest houses in the
West and has made a reputation for its
ability to handle large crowds in conven-
ton times. The Grand is owned by the
mayor of the city, himself a member of
the League, an enthusiastic wheelman and
warm enthusiast in the effort to bring
the meet here. He will be member of the
indianapolis delegation at philadelphia
There are dozen good hotels besides those
trally located.
OF cycling clubs indianapolis has nine
which are represented by delegates to the
Associated Cycling Clubs, an organization
when was not perfected until this season
ana which the new impetus given to club
life made necessary. Some of the clubs have
more or less handsome clubhouses well
equipped with gymnasa, bath rooms bowl
ing alleys, rooms for games, etc, while one
club maintains summer camp within short
distance w re
bers and friends pass the hot nights There
has been much activity among the clubs
this season and most of them are 'estab-
nshed hrmly. They will be able to do much
by way OF entertainment of the visitors
should the meet come this way
The visitors to the national meets are
Wneelmen ana 1t is a part of their idea of
entertainment to be able to enjoy good
wheeling in the meet city. No city west of
the Alleghenies can offer the inducements
OF indianapolis. There are fifty miles of
improved streets and they are improved in
such a way as 10 make them the wheel
riders paradise. There are State laws and
CITY ordinances which protect the Wheelman
IN MS rights to use the streets, but they
are hardly necessary, for the whole city is
awheel and everything is viewed from the
cyciers standpoint. Out of a population of
ABOUT leOVW men, women and children
FULLY twenty thousand own BICYCLES and
many more are riders.
But the streets are not the wheelman's
only source OF delight. The country roads
surrounding the city are the finest in the
west. The country about Indianapolis is
aOAilHS, puI NOT ullly, except along White
river where there are slight hills above and
below. There are many charming runs"
10 be made to points from eight to fifty
miles from the city. One of the most popu-
lar Is that to Milersville, little country
hamlet about eleven miles northeast of the
city and three or four miles from a rail-
road station. 1t is on the bank of Fall creek
and the road to it lies along the creek the
entire distance. The road is so perfect that
the ride can be made after nightfall with
almost the same confidence that the city
streets may be traVerSed. 1t is the favOrite
evening run, supper being taken at the viii
lage and the return being made by moon
light
Cartersburg is another favorite run 1t is
twenty-one miles due west on the National
road. Here there are valuable mineral wa
tiers ana summer MOTEL and Sanitarium
Other popular runs are to Greenfield, twen-
ty-one miles east on the National road;
Greenwood. twelve miles south, and Frank
lin, eight miles further on the same road:
NoblesNille, twenty miles northeast over a
road which is almost like a cycle coaster
and Tor the century fiends there are several
good roads with attractive points fifty
miles out. But the most delightful ride is
over the cycle path. The Wheeway League
is at work now securing the right of Wav
for path up Fall creek to Milersville. Ne
gotiations are about completed and work
Will probably begin on the path soon so
that it can safely be counted on as one of
the attractions for the visitors who come
here in 1895.
The commercial bodies of the city togeth-
er with the Associated Cycling Clubs and the
officers of the Indiana Division of the l.. A.
w. are making active preparations for pre-
SentIng the claims of indianapolis for the
meet A delegation of citizens, headed by
Mayor Taggart, will so to Philadelphia and
whatever steps necessary to get the meet
will be taken and with a will. The city is
determined TO have the meet and will
get it.