The times., 1897-04-11
of the splendid contest which usually re-
suits, but because OF the large following the
old Pennsylvania college has here.
o. 2. SCHMIDT.
Washington wheelmen.

The beginning OF the present month
marked the opening OF the local cycling
season, and the various cycling clubs
are mapping out their plans for summer
rides over hill and dale.
a great majority of the club runs will,
OF course, be limited to points within a
score OF miles from the city, but there
is a disposition among many riders TO ar
range for more extensive tours than have
hitherto been attempted. These plans
have not taken definite shape as yet,
but many Interesting trips will undoubt
edly be undertaken.
Nearly all the clubs have arranged
schedule of Sunday runs for the present
month, and the number and enthusiasm Of
those who propose to go on them testify 10
the interest which is felt. One or two
clubs have gone so far as to arrange
complete schedule for the summer months,
but it IS generally thought that monthly
schedule is preferable, as conditions may
arise To prevent the carrying out of plans
arranged so far in advance. Almost with
out exception, the clubs retain their full
membership OF last year. and new menbers
are constantly coming in
1t is generally thought that club support
extent this year. AS rule, there ere
only very few racing men in any one
organization, and as the primary object
of club is the greatest pleasure for the
greatest number, racing must take sub
ordinate place.
A feature OF the coming season among
the clubs viii be the afternoon runs III
which the lady friends OF the members
will participate. AS club feature TINS
is not novelty, but IL has never been so
generally adopted as II will be during the
coming season. Those clubs which are
so fortunate as to possess cOmmodiOus
homes will undoubtedly make these events
among the most pleasant Of the season
The Capital Isl Club inaugurated events Of
this character last year, and they proved
very attractive To both the members and
their guests
Beside the uniformed and fully organized
male cycling clubs OF the city, there are
several clubs formed last year and early
this spring which are composed OF ladies
and gentlemen. Though not exactly curb
stone" clubs there is little fOrmality OF
organization about them, nor have they any
regular places OF assembly. Their purpose
is purely pleasure, and when there is
gathering it takes place at the home OF
one of the members.
Clubs of this kind are likely TO increase
greatly during the coming season
Columbia Athletic Club.
The cycling contingent of the club has
increased so rapidly that it exceeds in
numbers all similar organizations. Though
a roster of the clubs riders has never
are fully 400 Of them, while many place
the number even higher
Some of the more enthusiastic Of the
wheeImen are pushing the scheme Of
big club parade, to take place either this
month or early in May. The plan Is TO
get the entire wheeling talent OF the
club into this parade, and with Chinese
lanterns and various other decorations ON
the wheels, ride from the clubhouse, down
the Avenue, to the Capitol and return
1t will very likely be carried into eXecu-
ton
In spite of the unfavorable weather,
two runs have already been taken: one
to Cycle Cottage, and the other to Dickeys s
Both were remarkable for the number OF
riders which exceeded that of any run
given during last season.
The greatest interest is taken In the
Marshall Hall run, which has been planned
for Easter Sunday. II is the event of the
month, and there is no doubt that there
will be a big number who viii make the
trip. The road is somewhat sandy, and
the txenty-nne miles will seem long to
some, but visions of the planked shad at
the Hall should go far toward cheering the
faint-hearted. The return trip will be
made by boat and the riders will 6e back
i'm time to view the Easter finery in the
afternoon
number of impTomptu runs will occur
at intervals, and the project or mixed
runs finds much favor.
L. A. w.
The local branch of the League OF
American Wheelmen is keeping pace with
the forward movement all over the eoun-
try. and last week more than fifty new
members were voted into the organization.
Todav,s run will be to Great Falls. The
"wednesday runs win also prove "a popu-
lar feature
Following is the schedule of runs up TO
May L:
Sunday, April a, Great Falls, Maryland
side: wednesday, April Z city run: wednes-
| day, April IA, Cabin John Bridge; Sunday,
| April IS, Ashton, Md; Wednesday,, April
| Fl, Silver Springs; Wednesday, April 2s,