Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-28
WHEEL TO KL0NDIKE
c. II. BRINKERHoFF WILL BUILD
BICYCLE TRACK TO THE YUKON.
Hotels by the Way-WOmen Can Go
10 Alaska by This Route and BE
sure Tint They VIII Reach the
Gold District in safety.

NEWARK, n. j., November 27.-Since
the yellow serpent Of the Klondike
reared his head and fascinated the people
o. two hemispheres by the golden
glitter OF HIS eyes, there have been many
plans devised for getting safely past the
barrier OF frozen mountains that guard
tie coveted prize. Some have had the
oarmarks OF lunacy and some have been
Of the variety that impels people to say
why didn't we think Of that before?"
4 plan that has provoked more criticism
and caused more comment than any,
was born In the brain of Charles H.
Lr.Hkerhof, Jr.. Of this city, after severe
travail Of soul and many sleepless nights
lr. Brinkerhon proposes TO build a
BICYCLE track to the Klondike, provided
Dc can secure the necessary capital to
carry out tho scheme.
There is nothing visionary about the
Iau,' said Mr.. Briukerhonf. when asked
90 give publicity to his ideas on the sub
..-- Of a klondike bicycle track. ION
ts contrary. it is the only correct solu-
u9H Of the problem of how to bring the
cod Of the Yukon within the reach
@. al. 1t isn't every one who can afford
Go pay the price Of a passage 10 the
hlond.ke by the expensive routes at
present In use, but nearly every one
owns a bicycle nowadays. and when my
track Is completed the trip 10 the gold
district will be brought down 10 two
u: three weeks from the nearest Ameri-
can city.
"TO 80 into details. may say that
the plan provides for a roadway lightly
constructed Of steel, clamped to the sides
OF the mountains where 1t is not possible
70 arrange for a rOad-bed on a fiat sur
face, and put together in the strongest
manner known To- modern builders. The
roadway VIII be fashioned according 10
mathematical principles, 50 as 10 make
the journey as easy for the bicyclists as
Us compatible with such a rough noun
tain trip When it is possible steep up
Grades VIII be avoided, and the entire
road so arranged that the mountain
climbing viii be done almost without the |
blycllst being aware Of any uphill work |
When the nature OF the ground renders |
u impossible 10 avoid a steep ascent. / |
sAaA compensate the climber for his toll |
10y providing a down-grade run, so that |
Ae can recover his strength by coasting. |
Inc structure Will be absolutely safe, |
Tor 10 viii rest on steel supports cemented |
into ihe solid rock and capable OF bearing |
a strain Of ten times as great as that il /
VAL De subjected 10 as a bicycle track. |
4he erection Of the track will be an easy |
matter, for ] hope 20 have the routa
carefully surveyed. and the Orders. sup
ports, etc. made 10 fit, so. that the only |
thlns necessary when the work is ready /
70 begin Will be for the workmen to fit
The sections together. bolt the Orders
and supports firmly, and attach them
securely 20 the rocky foundation.
50 much for the general construction
OF the roadway. Now as 10 the various
novel features that 1 hope to introduce ]
to render safe the trip 10 the KlondiKe by
way OF my bicycle track, and TO brighten
Tho burden OF the journey 80 that IL will
be as enjoyable as pleasure trip. /
assume that my bicycle track will
be utilized by women, for where the
wheel takes men nowadays II usually
taxes women also. Even athletic women
are grateful for the comforts Of life, ard,
30 Tar az a trip 10 the Klondike can De
made comfortable, my bicycle track will
insure II. Every twenty-five miles Of the
Journey there will DO a station, lighted
ana heated by electricity and provided
With seats and tables and a restaurant 30
mat the pilgrims 70 the gold district can
est and refresh themselves. ] propose 10 ,
place the stations as near together Gs
twenty-five miles. because 1 realize that
a the inhospitable Klondike region storms /
IRE Of occasional occurrence, and / wish ,
70 have place Of refuge whittier wheel !
men, and especially the wheelwomen. can
MI "a
'acly. j want 10 take every precautlon !
o guard against a tragedy. There has {
zen enough OF that already In tho sense- (
ess rush for the Yukon. II
Il take II that fifty miles a day on a
mooth roadway such az that ! propose
0 construct VIII DO fairly good going. AT
$500 81 - hftg-eaaia s1sn. nfxcas-cs <tx1tn