The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-06-29
THE BICYCLE TOUR ENDED.
Mr.. Frank A. Elwell Has Arrived
Home From Europe.

riage-Preparatiohs for the French
International Observation-Disclosures
Improved Abroad.
Mr.. F. A. Elwell of Deering has just
returned with his personally conducted
party of bicyclists through Europe, and
l an interview with a PRESS reporter
yesterday, gave some of his impressions
of the English and French customs re-
garding bicycling and the various modes
of locomotion.
In England the most noticeable thing
in the way of cycling is the conservatism
of its people in holding to the heavy
mounts in spite of the efforts of Ameri-
can manufacturers to introduce high
grade wheels. Most Of the English peo-
pie ride their wheels several years, eonse-
quently the majority of the wheels in use
at the present time are the heavy ma
chimes weighing from 30 TO 35 pounds
each. Cycling among the English ladies
is greatly on the increase and large par
ties are met daily either en- tour or out
for short runs. The usual English con-
servatism still prevails, and it is consid
cred grave breach of modesty for a
woman to wear short skirts, consequently
their lady cyclists are bothered by wear
ing skirts that drag nearly to the
ground. The American ladies of our
party, in their short skirts, We're objects
of remark because of their neat and COM
Portable appearance. There is no doubt
but that the dress of our American lady
riders is neater in appearance and is
certainly more comfortable than the long
dresses of the English riders which are a
continual bother and greatly annoy the
rider by catching into the mud guard or
other parts of the machine.
We were fortunate in having pleasant
weather throughout England, and the
month of May seems to be the favorite
month for riding, with the English peo-
pie.
In London all was activity in prepa-
ration for the Queens jubilee celebra-
ton. Reviewing stands were arranged
all along the streets and places were ar
ranged in houses where persons could
view the grand procession. The procession
was great success, but the people that
erected these stands did not make a
financial success as the prices for seats
were set at too high figure.
From England we took up our journey
10 France where we visited in Paris,
Versailles, Toulon and other places of
interest to tourists. The French people
are quite different from the English in
that they are ever seeking for that which
is novel i'll wheels and other modern in
ventions, and are willing to pay higher
price for an article even though the arti-
Gle purchased is an experimental com.
modify. The French people are not nat
urally lovers of athletic sport, but they
are as whole interested in cycling, and
it is very common thing to see women
in high and moderate degrees of life. rid
ing on their wheels. 1t has been said in
parts of Europe that there was to be an
effort to discourage the wearing of bloom
ers, but this is not true, but rather the
wearing of them is on the increase.
The most noticeable thing in France this
year is the increase in the number of
ether and other oil generating motor
occasionally to be seen, but today they
are to be seen running through all the
streets and parks These vehicles run
at a speed of Is miles an hour and cost
from $500 to $500. One Sunday / counted
in 10 minutes SO of these motor carriages
en- route to Versailles There is SO much
mechanism to these carriages and the
!, ,of~ ,f
them employees mechanic to accompany
them, control the working and take care
of the motor and the other apparatus.
Today it is rich mans plaything, and
unless it is simplified and made SO that
it will sell at a lower figure and also ar
ranged SO that the owner can run his own
vehicle they will not come into use by
the people at large. If we have motor
carriages in America it will be necessary
at the start to build good roads, as these
carriages are SO heavy that unless road
is well built the carriages could not be
operated as readily as they are in France.
There is one thing that the American
people can well model after the French,
and that is in the adoption of their sys-
tenn of guide boards. At frequent inter
walls these signs appear showing the dis
lance and directions to follow in reaching
certain places, also there is painted on
these boards a brief description of the
route as to whether or not it is hilly, or
if any places are to be avoided in order
to reach the point with despatch and
safety.
The French people are making active
preparations for the Worlds Fair in
1900, and while they are to have a great
exhibit, cannot conceive it to be possible
that the great Chicago exhibit will be
outdone, in looking at it from an archi-
tectural or scenic point of view Electrical
exhibits will be the leading feature and
some grand surprises in store for those
fortunate enough to attend this great
fair. They are already selling admission
tickets to the fair That is to say the
governments controls the sale of tickets,
Inv whom they are placed in the hands OF