The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-05-20

and the executive officers were auth
orized to make such repairs as the
funds in hand will permit Work
will probably be commenced at once.
The executive officers were also auth
orized to interview Mr.. Klaus in re-
gard to making some arrangement
for using and operating the bicycle
track the coming season.
A LONG CYCLE TRACK.
Cycle Track from Omaha to the
Twin Cities Contemplated.
The Lemars Daily Sentinel devotes
a column of it's space to the practi-
bility and benefits of cycle path
from Omaha to the twin cities. There
are many good ideas and suggestions
in the articl but space will not per-
NIT us to reproduce the entire piece,
but we will give those deemed most
interesting:
"With the increased popularity of
the bicycle, comes the demand for
better roads and cycle paths. Bicy-
clists in eastern Iowa and in Illinois
are projecting cycle path from
Chicago to Omaha. Work on the
section between Davenport and Des
Moines will be done largely this sum-
mer.
The great line of travel is along the
line of the Omaha and Minneapolis
railroad. In large part of the dis
lance the highways are in very good
shape for cycling during most Of the
year, but there are places where cy-
Gle path is of utmost Importance.
Besides that there is general desire
on the part Of bicyclists and people
who drive horses to put the two on
different roadways. The expense of
a cycle path would not be great. The
preliminary grading could be done at
slight expense and much Of the work
would be done by voluntary subscrip-
tons. The cinders and, gravel could
be added from time to time in the
places that needed them worst The
cycle path would form a conven-
lent sidewalk for the country roads.
Every farmer along the line would
be willing to do something towards
grading country sidewalk so that
his children could walk to school and
so that he could go to visit his neigh
bors without wading through muddy
roads.
Then the use of the wheel by far,
mers' sons and daughters would
make them all interested in perfect
ing the cycle path SO that they could
attend evening entertainments in
town and visit the towns during
times Of bad roads by riding on the
cycle path.
The line from Omaha to Minneapo-
lis would pass through dozens of the
best towns and cities in the west.
Hundreds of wheelmen in every coun-
ty would be glad to join the move
ment to construct the path.
The run after the path was COM
pleted would be one of the finest in
the country. Starting out from ON
aha and Council Bluffs there would
be pretty scenery along the east bank
Of the Missouri until Missouri Valley
is reached, then along up the line to
Onawa and Sioux City the road
would run through fine county.
From Sioux City to Lemars is the
splendid course that is used for the
road races. On north through Alton,
Sibley to Worthington with
its pretty lake and cool groves would
be delightful trip with good town
IN which to remain over night and en-
Joy the boating.
Along up through Minnesota, Win
1om, St. James and Mankato would
De pleasant trip. At Mankato the
course would strike the beautiful val
ey of the Minnesota river which
would be followed down through St.
Peter, Chaska and the smaller towns
% romantic old Ft. Smelling and then
IN to either st. Paul or Minneapolis.
Wheelmen by the thousand would
Use it constantly. Hotel men would
'e interested, and bicycle dealers, in
the scheme. Il
But how can it be done? Easy |
Let the wheelmen in every
own organize and give the project
tart.
Many would join a bicycle path
Tub in every town, who do not now
ide wheels, for the sake of helping
he plan along. - ....
By paying rwo dollars each in the
und, it would be easy for the mem
'ers to raise from $50 to $500 in each
+ the important towns. That would
aake good start. It would grade
nd fix up a large portion of the path
he first year. A bicycle path is diff
erent from railroad, in this, it is
OF necessary to complete it before it
used. Every good new mile con-
tructed would make the route better
nd more popular. In large; por-
on Of the route the roads are good
nd, if one-fourth Of the path were
INSTRUCTED in the worst places, the
ath would come into immediate use.