The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-09
NEWS OF THE WHEELMEN.
PRESIDENT BALDWIN,s PLANS TO
HELP CYCLING ON LONG ISLAND.

HELP CYCLING ON LONG ISLAND.
OF Judges NJ Race aests-Iscresse In the
Il 4. ". SgeuSership-New Recsraa At Gias-
~Eev-safesy Gates Tor nrsehiJn Avenues
How to keep q bicycle immaculate after such
wretched weather as that Of yesterday is a prob
lem which causes no little worry to the " rain or
shine riding division. On the other side OF tho
Atlantic, where Jupiter Pluvious victimi1cs
cyclists moro frequently than no does here.
riders arc forced to study the subject thoroughly
in order to keep up with the procession. Clogged
chains and muddy tires keep many an enthu-
siAst OF his favorite route in sloppy weather,
but the great majority take chances on the
going" rather than remain inactive. and to
these the following item from the Field Of May
% may furnish some useful hints:
The large number OF bicycles now in use has
made the production OF innumerable minor ac-
cessories q remunerative business. and every
variety Of appliance that can be Of use or inter
est to the wheelmRn has been designed and
placed upon the market. 1t cannot be said that
the majority Of these are In any way indispensa.
bic, but those which are designed to facilitate
the care and cleaning Of the bicycle are Of un.
doubted utility. The labor involved In
removing from the modern type OF b.
cyclic tho mud accumulated In a ride in
wet weather is considerable, and those
who from choice or necessity care for their
bicycles with their own hands are glad 10 avail
themselves OF the numerous special articles now
procurable. Among other useful contrivances
IL a chain brush. This consists OF a couple OF
little brushes attached side BY side. each Of
which tapers to n point 90 that they can be
thrust into the links OF the chain. In cases
where no gear case Is used. and the chain has 10
be frequently cleaned. this brush will be found
very useful"
The extremes to which a "dyed-inthe-wool''
cyclist will go in order to keep his mileage on
the increase was demonstrated yesterday along
the asphalted avenues, the boulevards, and even
the Brooklyn cycle paths. Despite the steady
drizzle several enthusiasts took their daily spin,
and. with the perseverance, taught to Bruce Of
Scotland BY the spider. they slid over greasy
crossings, toboRgsnned on down grades, and
skated around generally as II damaged bones
and wheels were not TO be dreamt OF in their
philosophy. Most Of those seen out had taken
the precaution OF wearing storm cloaks. which
covered them from ear TO ankle and disguised
their pedallinR movements so completely that
they looked like Puritan statues mounted on
automotors A few noticed on the Long Island
routes went TO the extreme of using umbrellas.
which they carried in their left hands while they
steered with the right. Where the pleasure
came in was not apparent, but then sidewalk
critics are not competent to judge unless they
have been through the feverish delirium which
permeates even the most stolid citizen as soon as
he has acquired a bike and the skill to ride it.
William II. Baldwin, President OF the Long
Island Railroad. applied for membership in the
l. A. w. yesterday. President Baldwin who Is
interested in the welfare of wheelnen and the
progress Of the pastime, has decided to take
steps to make Long Island a popular resort for
riders President Potter Of the l. A. ". re-
ceived the following communication from Mr..
Baldwin yesterday:
Il wish to notify you that have arranged
With a; u. Fullerton TO represent the Long
Island RailToad as E special assnt OF the pAssen-
for the bicycle interests; to notify cyclists from
every where how 10 make runs on Long Island;
to get up printed material and maps showing
the different kinds of runs and what roads best
to use in making runs; TO encourage the differ
and to arrange proper hospitality; TO see that
the railroad gives every facility within reason
their wheels. and in general. to make Long
Island a cyclists paradise before we get through
a step in the right direction"
The claim made by Earl Kiser that a photo
\ graph taken of the hnish Of the one-miie pro-
shows him to have finished first instead OF EC
Of taking pictures of the finishes OF all the big
races; This matter was agitated several years
| dSOs ult W a GLA4lA - W racing ileG lIAg
often in close finishes the Judges misplaced
riders. Al the large holiday meets and on the
upon the heads OF the officials, due to the alleged
failure 10 properly register the nnisheS Racing
accorded 10 them at the tape TO which they were
not justly entitled.
Judges in the excitement of a close finish are
apt TO become neglectful and depend upon guess
work to place the men. Under the present con-
titions. when riders are 50 evenly matched. the
contestants declare that In order TO properly
catch the men Al the tape, officials should Re
stationed at both sides Of the track TO properly
good to decide disputed races, and il is likely
that this will be done al the important meetings
OF the year.
The membership of the L 4. w took a biE
reports that a,6li men were enrolled. making
the total belonging 70 the organization $3.50.
Tho increase in the different divisions and their
total membership Is as follows:
+. New fSSk ssS: total si'st; rvansyiT.nia JoL:
Jersey III. total s,4is: illinois 81. total $3.50; Ohio
e5. total $40; Wisconsin 30. total s,ls7j Connect
S isnd IS S. 'I sSsal 'i i.a5;; AN Saa4 California Ii f1iai : tf !S,i i s1s;
Rhode Island -. total 1873,
The Executive Committee OF the Brooklyn
Good Roads Association has decided TO ask the
State Railway Commission 10 order safety gates
Twenty-second,. and Fort Hamilton avenues
The system OF placing signal men at these cross
riders. During the season these avenues are
pAtroniEed by thousands of riders daily.
While the efficiency OF the bicycle in military
work has been experimented with in this country
and proved successful, the of tho
bicycle corps in England seem 10 be better es-
tAblished. The London Fieid Of May 20 says:
Competitions designed with the object of
testing the military efficiency OF those vOlun-
teers by whose efforts the bicycle Is becoming
permanently established as a useful instrument
In modern warfare, have been frequently held,
the latest being that for the Wolseley Cup. This
was decided on Saturday last, eleven leans. each
consisting of eight men, taking part The muster
place was Staincs, where the yartoustca:ns were
despatched by insfallmeHts TO ride over courses,
out and home. q distance Of forty miles, in four
hours or less, with rifles and accoutrcTuenis-
Having accomplished this, the first part OF the
competition, the firing abilities OF the men were
then tested. The c troop OF the Twenty sixth