The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-16
CYCLING IN
Experiments Being Carried on by the
French Army.

Paris Letter in London Standard.
1t is evident that the cycle is now in
course of efecttng a very potent revolution
in the name and customs of men and
women, and it may be interesting to all
cyclists to hear about the new uses and
purposes to which it is put in France.
From a military point Of view cycling is,
as yet, in it's infancy. Up to the present
time in the French army cyclists have been
employed chiefly to transmit orders and
carry messages, but it is now proposed to
form cyclist corps of combatants-a kind
of Mounted infantry, using bicycles instead
Of ponies. An experimental company of
sixty men has been formed by Captain
Gerard, who has invented for their use an
ingenious bicycle, which can fold in two
by means OF a hlnge on the crossbar, SO
that when folded the front wheel and hind
wheel are next to each other, and the ma
chimes become readily portable on the mems
shoulders. The cyclist company, as at
twelve men each, commanded by one SER
geant and two corporals, thus making up a
total OF forty-eight rank and file, with four
sergeants and eight corporals. The folding
bicycle is provided with leather braces, to
enable the men TO carry 1t on their backs.
The uniform is a blue jersey, a blue flannel
belt, a loose cloth jacket cut very much
like a pilot coat, or an open Norfolk Jacket,
red trousers, close-htting from the knee,
leggings and ankle boots. These latter are
the worst part of the equipment, and verify
the proVerb that the French soldier is the
sists of the regulation belt with three
pouches, each containing forty rounds of
ball cartridge. In the pouch carried at the
back there is room provided for the pump
and the usual tools. A canvas bag is also
provided to hold q spare jersey. The arma-
ment consists of a Lebel rifle and baynnet.
Two cycle smiths are attached to the COM
pany. They ride a coupled bicycle, and
carry spare nuts, tires, air chambers, files,
hammers, and other articles to repair the
machines. A van is attached to- the COM
pany containing a portable forge, a box
of ammunition and spare wheels, together
with the mems knapsacks and officers
ValiseS.
This company was tested at the last au-
tumn mdneuvers near Laon, anc was used
for accommodating, scouting and advanced
post duties. Thus, when it was thought
necessary to occupy, at some distance from
the main body, a given strategic point. the
cycle company was dispatched to take
possession of 1t, and, thanks to the rapid
ity of its movements for scouting and re-
connoitering duties, it is said to have been
very serviceable. When the ground is i'm
practicable, then the men fold their ma
chimes. strap them TO their backs, Chamber
gaining level ground rig up their machines,
and are once more on the wing. Accord
ing to a Russian military writer, General
Plioutsinksi. the bicycle is the ideal mount
for mounted infantry, as the rapidity and
continuity of its are not inter
fered with by the necessity of providing
forage and water. 1t is. however, obvious
that the experiment, to be conclusive,
would have to be carried out on a far
larger scale. According to this Russian au-
thority the military cyclists ought TO be
able to travel at a rate of thirty TO thirty
I'VE Versts an hour-the VerSt is l,l6f yards.
This seems TO me rather an eXaggeration.
But it is clear that in France, a country
so amply provided with excellent roads,
trained bodies of crack shots and eXpe-
rienced cyclists might in the reconnoitering
service e~en surpass the exploits of the
dashing Uhlans during the Franco-Prus-
sian war. and be pushed on as feelers a
very long distance from the main body of
their army. For the service the cycle
seems extremely well-fitted. But that
bodies OF cyclists would have any chance
against well-trained bodies OF cavalry il
seems to rue a little premature to claim.
One of the advantages for the scouting
service is the absolute silence with which
| the cycle can move. But It requires good
roads. would become of a body OF