The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-07-30
A LONG BIKE RIDE.
ROdertck Spraxue Comes From San
Diego. Cal. on His
Wheel.

Roderick Sprague. who was graduated
from the University OF Washington in
the spring OF 1894. arrived in Seattle last
evening after having ridden almost the
entire way from San Diego, Cal, on his
bicycle.
When interviewed by a Post-Inteliigen-
Ger reporter last evening, he said that
he enjoyed the trip immensely. and that
IL was not a difficult one for a person OF
good health and ordinary staying quail
ties.
II left San Diego said Mr.. Sprague,
May 81 without special outfit other than
bicycle trunk. which was secured In
the diamond Of tho bicycle frame. ! took
the coast route to San Francisco, and
must say that ii is the star part of the
entire trip. The roads arc fine. and al
though you strike two ranges OF noun
tatns they do net put you 10 any inconve-
nience. II is a novel experience, however,
20 e. down the Santa Ynez mountains
six and one-hai miles distant, with
tree tied To the back fork Of your BIZ
cycle. II the rope breaks OF course il Is
necessary % make a quick dsmount, but
as rdle few accidents happen in this
kind Of a trip. I took nine days to San
Francisco. but the record Is Ave and a
halt.
In leaving San Francisco Il is neces-
sary TO cross 10 Oakland, from which
place you strike the Sacramento valley
Up the valley IS a plea SAINT but rather
monotonous trip. The read Is lined with
gram fields Every Ave or ten miles are
located towns, varying in inhabitants
from s.g@ 20 900. II took ms three DAYS
70 reach Redding. after which I took TO
the shasta route, following the old stage
route 20 where IL crosses the southern
Pacinc railroad ! followed the track for
forty miles. passing through FIVE tun-
Ylsara 4 -s.~
track is wei baliasted and riding is fair
Is good | struck bad weather. so I did
not enjoy that part Or my trip as much
as l would Under other circumstances
SisS9ns is ~ the summit. and here
took - the mountain road. which al
though rough - riaabla. A. the foot ~
the mountains l came - Edrpvood a
sii'aH station. From this point 10 the
oregon state line Is an adobe road. ara n
the weather is dry the road viii tourrs
the life out II YOU, and K there has been
r8tG the mud Will stick to your wheel
and bother you 10 death. Ii Ia hard
mess
From the Oregon hne you commence
the ascent % the S}skiyou mountains hv
way ~ the railroad track. The grade 70
gradual and Won can ride seven ,rtias
The track is haiiaSted with rrar.te 6ns,
~ the End ~ tho seven miles 80,
70 take short cUt. three miles - ,ha
entrance ~ the Siskyou tunnel h,,- gu.
mixed ~ with the adobe and 7 yytii
never 80 there any more The adobe so,
mixed up with the bike and Tho whasls
refused 20 turn. 40 had - take .be
machine. which then weighed aho,l- s<.,.
pounds an NY shoulder ard carry :, -
fhr tunnel
The tunnel Is 25aa feet long. hu. nor.
f"ctly straight. ard 80 light IA, ora Aces
anf need lantern while riding through
AfteT Won gst et5t = the tunnel tha-a 80
stretch ~ fifteen miles dow erasa .,
Ashland Il Is fine ride. and ,v,.,,-.,,
X ~ Ashland ] diA not have god sn-
formation, and took the railroad ro-,,e -
EaSehnTg. or. ! passed over tho Inn
qua mountains. ard had - do g~~as,
deal ef walking. ] darv say rY,ssa
mistake in selecting the route passtyv
On. l followed the wagon rsaY q, r,,,s,s,,e
or The roads were good hgf, hsA -
Geal with A COED deal - ratr .r-t-s
made riding ttsagreeabIe on tha y-sv~ >,
Aleany had a n7lshaD ana ur4s ner,-
PEELED - take re boas - Portland
From Portland took rhe f.r.s, - -.
tle Rock OF the C'owi-sz river r. "a .r-s,,-
iy-ffve miles 70 Sspayine and .aa ~osss
are good. The next place - Term, ara
tseu comes Olympia The roads fra-,
T@nino - Olympia ara anis. far re-
mssned in Olympia with relatives for
time ard then rode az % Seattle ;, sec
new th> Clonayks fever was affecting The
city
on the trip lost ten pounds avev-
aged sixty miles a eay ard the io~y~s,
rln made in one day was Us miles,.