Evening star., 1897-01-09
S O ME- CYCLE HAT

Winter road riding is a subject that is
receiving q good deal of attention among
cyclists all over the country. There was
time when bicycling ceased suddenly
with the approach of cold weather, hut
now more or less riding is done all the year
around. There is one thing that Is quite
certain. and that is riding in cold weather
Is more disagreeable than in the warmest
OF the warm summer weather. Nothing
causes riding at this time Of the year to be
more disagreeable than the wind, which
comes and goes without warning. 1t the
weather was only still cold, the cyclist
could very easily dress to suit the circum-
stances, but the wind knocks all calcula-
tions out.
The poetical side of the situation Is dwelt
upon by some riders. who claim to delight
In hearing the crunching sound of the snow
and ice when skimming over the frozen
surface of a road. But there are draw
backs. While the ice on the road may not
puncture tire, 1t Is quite apt to cause that
slipping, sliding sensation, which Is quite
tance of solid frozen surface has to be
gone over. There may be pleasure in this
kind of riding for some-it being a matter
of impossibility to please all cycle riders
but the vast majority of cyclists at this
time of the year seem to prefer other
means of enjoyment.
Even If there be no ice or snow, the
ground is generally frozen in such an un-
caused by wagon ruts, that riding to many
seems to be anything but pleasant.
It is with regret that many of the local
wheelmen will learn of the death Of George
Edward Stratton. the well-known racing
man, and in the professional ranks. His
death occurred last Friday evening, and
his funeral was held Monday afternoon at
x he of fa
at 3O6 H street northwest. He was the
eldest son of Mr.. and Mrs. Eugene E.
Stratton, and had been married for brief
time. His death removes one of the most
popular cyclists in the city. Stratton was
familiarly known as Schade's trainer,
though he entered in several races himself.
His first appearance on the track was at
the recent meet of the Arlington Wheel
men. held August 90, when in the two-nile
handicap he was made limit man. His
riding was immensely enjoyed. though he
was not in the best Of form, and did not
secure place. He secured third place in
one of the other races. He was also entered
in the professional races at the circuit
meet, but the company was too swift for
him. Among all those who knew him he
was liked for his many good qualities, and
his good-natured and jovial disposition.
Two more local riders have Joined the
ranks of the pros. during the week, and
more are expected to follow. Ball started
the move by entering the six days race
and Fred Sims was close second by
starting in to pace the riders. In due time
pear in the official organ of the League of
American Wheelmen labeled as profession
ais. Nat Mudd Is another local man that
will follow the bunch. Billie Sims will soon
make the flop, but he is wiser than his
brother. He will remain in the amateur
ranks until he gets into condition, and If
his riding form warrants it, he will turn
pro. and race for money; but If he cannot
get into good trim he will remain as an
amateur. The statement has been made
that Fred Schade will go over into the
ranks though just at present it is likely
that this statement will be denied for GER
has stated that he would ride in the pro-
fessional ranks Immediately after the close
OF the Intercollegiate season this spring.
He may change his mind, however, but a
pressure may be brought to bear upon him
to make the flop. This will leave the anna
teur field to comparatively new riders to
carve out name in cycledom for them
selves the most promising of whom is E.
In response to a communication asking
Tor the records of this country for all dis
tance; under one mile, the following COM
piled by the racing board of the Leagne
of American Wheelmen, Is given, being the
records made during the present year, and
In some instances records made in previous
years, which have never been equaled:
Quarter mile. flying start, paced, John s.
johnson, October 81, 1898, O.A 2-5; quarter
mile, flying start, unpaced, A. B. Simons,
Deming, N. NJ. May 26, 1885, O.25 1-5; quar-
ter mile, competition, standing start, G. F.
Royce, Paterson. N. j., July 4, 1894,
0.29 3-5; professional, flying start. unpaced.
Otto Ziegler, jr., Laredo, Texas. June 8,
1886. O.2s %: One-third mile, flying start,
paced, A. w. Porter, Waltham, Mass, No
vember 2. 1894, O34 Is; third of mile,
flying start, unpaced, A. B. Simons, Dem
ing. N. NJ, May 26, 1896, O.33 3-5; third of
a mile competition, standing start, George
Packer. jr.. Denver. Col, 0.43; professional,
flying start, unpaced, third of a mile WV
Hamilton. Coronado. Cal, March 2, 1896,
O.34 1-5; professional. competition, standing
Cal, February %. 1886. 645. Half mile,
amateur, flying start paced, A. W. Porter,
Waltham. Mass, O.53; flying start, unpaced,
Harry c.. Clark, Denver, Col, November
Frank N; Nryne. San Jose. Cal. septem-
Der ., 1895; 1.O1; professional, competition,
standing start. Otto Ziegler, New Orleans,
La, June IL. 1896, LOO AS. Two-thirds of a
Denver. Col. May %, 1896, LA Is; two
thirds Of mile, flying start, unpaced, J. D.
1.25 Is; two-thirds of mile, competition,
jose. Cal. July 4. 1895, 1.25 Is; profes-
sional, two-thirds of a mile, flying start,
paced. w. w. Hamilton. Coronado, Cal,
March 2, 1896. O5s 3-5; professional, two
CoiHpellLOH, standing start, Tom
Cooper, Cincinnati, Ohio, May 80, 1885, 125.
Three-quarters of mile, flying start,
paced. Amos B. Hughes, Denver, Col, May
%. 1885, 1.22 4-5; three-quarters, flying
start, unpaced, F. B. Stowe, Springfield
Mass, October 20, 1884. 137; professional,
three-quarters. flying start, paced, Peter
J. Berle, New Orleans, La, December 20,
1875, LII. One mile, flying start, paced,
Amos b. Hughes, Denver Col, May 2S,
1896. LAT Is; one mile, flying start, un-
paced, Harry c. Clark, Denver, Col, Oc-
tober II, 1895, 2O5 Is; one mile, competi-
tion, standing start, Frank ]. Desmond,
jr., Denver, Col, August 8, 1896, 200 2-5;
professional. flying start. paced, w. W.
Hamilton, Coronado, Cal. March q, 1896,
1.S9 10; professional. flying start. unpaced,
one mile, Clinton R. Coulter, Denver, Col,
October 2, 1885, 1.39 Is; professional COM
petition. standing start, Arthur Gardiner,
New Orleans, La, June 13, 1896, 2.1O 40
There appears to be no limit to the
gearing Of the bicycle, and at the present
rate OF progress it is possible that the gem
eral riding public will become used to a
gear of ninety or one hundred. 1t Is in the
remembrance of most riders when sixty
three was high gear, and when fifty-six
ard sixty were in more general use. The
manufactu1 ers, with some scientific calcu-
lation. have found out that the gear can he
increased without much additional strain