The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-08-03
CYCLERS' GOSSIP.
A PARODY-POTTE TRIP
NEWS NOTES.
Some Humor-Some Advice-An
Anecdote-Sadd1e
Wheels.

All the worlds a-wheel,
AND all the men and women merely
They have their tumbles and punctured
tires,
And each. in learning. bruises many
parts,
His stages being seven.
At first the neophyte,
fleeIlhS and SpraWllng in his tutor
And then the luckless wobbler, unat-
tended,
With flushed, excited face, creeping like
Across each passer's path.
And then the scorcher,
signing like furnace, with dire intent
10 make century run.
And then the veteran,
ull or strange yarns and lying like
Jealous in honor of his make of bike,
SEEKING 10 sell another like it
Unto each man ne meets.
And then the agent,
WorklnS unaWares, piucking commission
from each sale he Influences
ull or wise saws and modern instances:
Ana SO he plays his part.
The sixth age shifts
INTO the fat and Sinking retail dealer
win spectacles on nose and hand in
CLhklnS gold coins, the profits of his
And winking slyly; and his bank account
constantly swelling toward a goodly pile
Begets new ambition.
Last scene of all.
mat ends this strange, eventful parody
Is when he grows to be a manufactured.
ana owns the earth and all abiding on it.
New York Weekly.
Now
Potter of the League of American
Wheelmen has come in for great deal
OF criticism since the announcement
that he would spend two months in
france and Italy in the interests of a
New York newspaper. Last Wednes-
day Mr.. Potter, accompanied by Mrs.
Potter, sailed on the steamer New York
Tor southampton. He will act as cou-
rier for a wheeling party of ten, who
VIII cycle from Nice to Naples. Coming
as it did, shortly before the League of
American Wheelmen National Meeting
at Philadelphia, President Potters de-
parture has given the Quakers food for
thought. Many have seriously objected,
and have testified their resentment in
various ways. Not that it matters
much, as the office is mainly honorary,
and the President deserves a vaction
now and then.
Whatever may be the main object of
the Leagues executive in making the
trip, from statements made by him to
his friends, the interests of the big as
ISOLATION will continue to receive large
share of Mr.. Potter's attention while he
is in Continental lands, for his trip will
allow him an opportunity to attempt a
plan he has long been considering. This
is to bring the League into friendly al
lance with the Touring Club of France
and it's English neighbour the Cyclists
Touring Club, which although nominally
international, is practically confined to
the British Isles. The alliance if per-
fected will be similar to that between
the League of American Wheelmen and
the Canadian Wheelmen's Association
by means of which, among numerous
privileges, league members may take
their bicycles across the border without
paying customs fees. The French and
English organizations are very powerful
in their home fields, and their members
enjoy freedom from a legion of restric-
tons, obtain accurate and minute maps,
extensive privileges by hotels and local
authorities. A union with either or both
of the organizations will be hailed with
delight by American cyclists who con-
template touring in either country. 1t
is thought that Mr.. Potter will be sue
cessful in allying the League with these
associations.
Cycling is in Europe one of the ac-
complishments, like tapestry embroid-
cry or dancing, writes European cor
respondent to 1.-THE American Wheel
man." 1t goes first on the list. All the
royal ladies ride, and, of course, all the
fashionable world is bound to follow At
first it began with the men, Emperor
William starting and the other Princes
initiating. Then they begged the ladies
to try, and one after another dropped
into line. Queen Margaret of Italy