The sun., 1897-03-22
NEWS OF THE wHEELMEN.
THOUSANDS OF RIDERS ENJOY THE
FIRST TOUCH OF SPRING.

lyn, and Environs ThronEed Throughout
tho Dny-The Century Road C1ub OF Amer
lea Again Oners n Tempting Array OF Prizes.
1t was roughly estimated that fully 10000
bicycle riders hereabouts took advantage of the
arst day Of spring yesterday to make trips
awheel. Throughout tho day the Boulevard,
Central Park, and Riverside Drive were crowd.
ed with riders, a great number of whom were
women. Tho recent rains left tho country roads
In rather poor shape for long runs, so that tho
riding was mostly confined to the city limits
and adjoining macadam roads, New riders,
mounted on tho latest model wheels and attired
IN fresh outfits, were very noticeable among the
crowd who travelled over the popular routes
Among tho women contingent diamond frame
wheels and bloomer suits seemed to be tho vogue.
The club men, in parties Of six and eight
visited all the old bicycle resorts, and mani
tested great delight at the return Of tho ideal
bicycle weather. Some Of the well-seasoned
road.riding members OF the Harlem. Riverside,
Manhattan, and Century whcelmen rode up as
far as Tarrytown. but the masses out yesterday
were taking their initial ride Of the year, and
contented themselves with short runs
~ The scorching element was in evidence on the
n Riverside Drive In tho morning, but attempts at
1 fast riding and impromptu brushes with rival
| club men provoked warning from tho police,
and such practices were discontinued.
The bicycle section in Brooklyn, which in
avenue, Sackett Street Boulevard. Prospect
Park, and the cycle path was alive with the
bicycle folks. Riders who have had their wheels
stored away during the winter months took ad-
| vantage OF the pleasant weather and made
tracks for tho park and cycle path carly In tho
day. Only one path is open on the Boulevard.
and as a result the riders were pretty well
crowded travelling up and down. Loud COM
plant was made at the delay in fixing the Coney
Island path.
The bicycle girls were out In force in Brooklyn,
several hundred women passing through tho
park and down to Bath Beach. The bicycle
police stated that the number of riders out yes
terday was far above the average for this time
Of the year. Tho uncertain condition of the
roads on Long Island at the time was responsible
for the big turnout on the cycle path Members
Of the Brooklyn. Kings County. Logan, Long
Island. South Brooklyn and Nassau wheelmen
down to Bath Beach, which has become the pop
ular rendezvous for riders from the City of
New Jersey, boasting of some of the finest
macadam roads IN the country, naturally was
to Milburn to see the condition Of the famous
years biz racs About 500 riders Ss representns
clubs from all sections made Bergen Point the
cty, Jersey City and other points rode over the
Hudson County boulevard to its terminus at
The bicycle establishments did good business
4 renting wheels and the repair men reaped har-
vest.
The Associated Cycling Clubs of Philadelphia,
under whose auspices the annual meet OF the
4 La. ". will be held this year, have elected the
n following officers: President, THOMAS Hare;
4. L ocrson: Secretary, 3 4; PerkenpIne The
arrangements for the national meet will now be
H Fsss will Ssssef'dh the !sf
Grove track p 1t is said @ that Chairman = MOT. t Of
association the advisability Of holding the meet
change, II adopted. will allow for more salts
dates.
The award of individual and club prizes by the
Century Road Club of America last year revived
interest in road riding and some large records
ed: " In order to increase ct the interest in road
riding this year. the club has decided to continue
Of the Records Committee, has issued the follow.
ing conditions for competitions:
and hS
made by members OF the C. r. c. during 1897 will
Ass'p eoid medal will be offered by the
o l M ne in % G
The nature OF these State medal competitions to be
greatest mileage greatest number OF centuries
merltorious single ride: The various state eenturons
are requested TO announce the nature OF the compe
be awarded club riding the greatest number of
sen1p,es m % during the yea. This eompett99 is open
s r 81 se % ar e as
At the end the Year must show date Of each
tury and BY whom ridden, and must be properly ap-
psns club snd before ean
soa OF riding tn 5 be by ss
accomplish 5000 miles or more during the Calendar
With
e s mqst he to the
Hereafter the committee must be furnished with
detailed reports covering all mileage claimed Each
days riding must be given in detail and submitted in
such way that there can be sroands for suspicion
A. the close Of the and svery claim will re
Intention Of any contestant to try for the national
mileage. a checking book must Be Invariably used.
Blanks for reporting mileage will be furnished upon
Road Racer.-1. In riding to Irvington, n. j.,
cross the Forty-second street ferry 70 Weehaw-
ken. ride north from the ferry to the Hudson
snd hsnee @ Wsst e. Write to
city, in relation to the road race.
A Daily Reader.-In riding from Elizabeth.
Il NJ, to the Delaware Water Gap. go direct to
RoSelle; then turn north through Union to
ssxGG snG connas hf t'sb ais aarsS TO
M hili Gillette and Sterlington to Bernardsville;
TO pon ne bfoPs m aed to
Changewater and direct to Port Washington;
Water Gap.
.sAN FRANCISCO, March 2l.-'rhe following
Australian cycling news has been received here:
,,4At the meeting of the League Of Victoria
Wheenen held at Melbourne on Feb. 16, the
match between the fast flyer. Billy Martin of
America. and the colonial one-mile champion,
nve miles, took place. Lewis won. capturing
the one and ten mile events in 2:49 2,5 and 2440,
II respectively Martins time for the hve-Inile
race was ILL. Martin, in consequence Of sus-
4 Rlc9ns riding. was disqualified by the league
ior Two years, but will appeal A large crowd
was present at the race, and large sums of
money money changed hands The three events were
run IN rainstorm. and were paced. Lewis has
VI VestigatiOn
AZ the st. kda cricket grounds Melbourne.
on Feb IA, Lesna, the French rider, lowered the
e9'9nial co record for the paced mile to minute
~ 30 seconds, the previous record, held by j.
". Parsons, being / minute SO seconds Tho
sdnnini SfemGnman has been playing havoc with the
Solohlai records, and on Feb. IL, at Melbourne,
III lOWCfcQ Inc nNn.mie HDuraa tn 10 InnuIea