The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-28
CYCLING GOSSIP.

Eddie Bald. the cyclist, in speaking Of his
plans for the coming season, says: II have
given up all intentions of taking a European
trip this season until after the national cir
cult and the American championships are
held. This is going to be great year for
racing. There are not many riders engaged
by the firms for the racing teams, however,
AS far as l know, only Cooper, Michael,
Johnson and myself have signed. l think
that the race programmes will be the same
this season as they were last. The short
will be run with single pacemakers."
bicycle instructor offers the following
suggestions to beginners:
l. Grasp the handle bars lightly Do not
stiffen the muscles Of the arms and Shout
ders.
2. Turn the wheel gently in the direction
which you feel you are falling. Do not Jerk
it, but turn it gently.
3. Do not be afraid to bear down on the
pedals The faster you go the more easily
will the wheel be controlled, but do not at
tempt scorching until you feel that you are
master Of the wheel.
4. Always look ahead, or rather toward
the point to which you wish to 60 If you
look down at the wheel you are almost sure
to be ratified" and If you Ak g. terror
stricken gaze on any object you wish to
1t is almost the invariable rule that the
beginner, after a few minutes Of struggling
with the wabbly machine. begins to com
prehend the principle by which he is to pre-
vent himself from falling.
New York women, it is anticipated, will
take to the wheel in far greater numbers
than was the case last season. Those who
rode last year are reported to be most en-
thusiastic over the sport, and it is thought
that they will influence many recruits dur
ing the coming weeks.
The extraordinary interest displayed in cy-
Gle racing in Australia was never better
shown than at the meet recently held in Mel
bourne by the Australian Natives associa-
ton. The turnsties registered the attend
ance at 10000. The big race Of the tourna-
ment was the great wheel race, a two-mile
handicap, in heats, in which the prizes
aggregated s.. $50 Of which sum the winner
received 81, $50. The tournament lasted from
10 a. m. until midnight. All the cracks of
the country competed, together with a number
Of foreign champions.
Camp life for cyclists during the vacation
period promises to become, sooner or later
the proper thing for the devotees of the
pastlme IN this country. Several clubs in
London have established permanent camps
for their members, and these have been ex-
ceedingly popular during the season. The
idea of cyclists camps in this country orig
mated from the experience of the London
clubs. 1t is very likely that the examples
OF the club camps will be followed in this
country this season, some talk to that effect
having been made by the leading organiza-
lions of New York city.
The manner in which the trade in bicycles
has opened up in the East is most gratifying
to the manufacturers. The advent Of spring
has caused the activity, and a study of the
indications calls for the prediction that the
season will be busy one. A veteran in the
trade believes that this seasons business
will run mostly to the popuIar-priced wheels
namely those selling at and near $75. IT Is
worthy of note in this connection that the
manufacturers who deal in two grades of
wheels. one at 500 and another at SIS. are
producing the latter in larger numbers and
the former in smaller numbers than was the
case last year.
Many cyclists. largely beginners in the
popular pastime, scorn the use Of toeclips az
being the fad Of the scorcher. That IL
where they err. A sense of security is in
valuable to the cyclist. If the rider is we'll
seated and feels certain of firm hold upon
grips and pedals steep hills lose their terrors
and the difficulties and annoyances of rough
road riding are greatly lessened. The toe