The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-11-05

I'm Wheel Works to a New York Press
reporter recently. Eyes, that is easy.
1t is the miles and miles of really good
roads. The contrast is so marked, so
wholly unlike what We are familiar
with in our W country that every
visitor to the other side involuntarily
calculates: Well, now. but these are
fine roads," During a five weeks tour
through England, Germany. Switzer-
land and France Mr.. Merseles observed
much that is of interest to cyclists.
Of the four countries mentioned eye
ling is the most popular in England.
This is not saying, he explains. that
the pastime is not enjoyed in the other
countries to a great extent. Touring
is very popular in all of them, partic-
ularly in Switzerland. This country.
one imagines. would be too hilly for
the full enjoyment Of cycling, but such,
however, is not the case, the grades be-
ing gradual and easy to mount. even
on the highest of hills. 4 tourist in
any of the foreign countries is quick
to notice little piles Of stones at reg
rNNS' 'oiS oioLS llt d. >.
these contain the material for repairs.
that are made as soon as the necessity
tor them is discovered. All the roads
are policed and after every heavy
shower Investigations are set afoot to
ascertain the need of repairs. While
ascending one of the mountains of
switzerland Mr.. Merseles' attention
UoC H}rnn{oI - o1@,.J - -. .1
ing down the side of another noun
tain. For some time nothing but the
cloud could be seen, but finally a nan
was discovered in front of the cloud
ana pretty soon it was noticed that he
was on a bicycle. But what caused
such a cloud of dust was a mystery
until the cyclist approached nearer.
When 1t was discovered that a rope was
attached to the bicycle and that at the
other end Of the rope was tied a big
sapling. This the wheelman had been
dragging behind him in a coast down
the mountain road, and it had served
we'll the purpose Of a brake. Mr.. Mer-
seles was informed that this was the
.favorite and safe way to undertake a
coast down the mountain roads. In
Paris the motor carriages attracted the
close attention of the traveller. These
vehicles are used to a greater extent
In the French capital than in any other
city, yet they have not reached the
state Of perfection to which the in
Ventors aspire. They are not odorless
and they make an Objectionable noise.
With these two matters overcome Mr..
Merseles predicts that the motor We
hicles will revolutionize the cab SER
vice. Concerning American bicycles
abroad Mr.. Merseles is of the opinion
that next years sales will reach a large
figure, speaking, of course, for the old
established houses. The new concerns
which have undertaken to unload
cheap wheels in foreign markets, have
been sadly disappointed in their eff
forts. This fact was never better il
Illustrated than when an American
agent for an inferior wheel tried to
auction off in Bremen 1000 machines,
for which no buyers could be found at
home. 1t will seem astonishing to
those in this country who know how
rapidly bicycles sell at public auction,
but it is a fact that not a single bid
above the reserve price was received in
Bremen.