The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-19
SOME BICYCLE COMMENT,

The riders who have second hand machines
of 1895 or 1896 patterns which they wish to
dispose of in order to purchase new mounts
for the present year feel the competition Of
cheap machines more than any one else.
Formerly it was possible to get a good price
for a secondhand bicycle; sometimes even
two-thirds or three quarters its original cost
being obtained. With the number of wheels
which can be bought now at $40 or $50 the
man is lucky who gets even half-price for
a secondhand wheel in frst-claSs order.
This fact induces many to ride the same
wheel for longer than one season who form
erly did not mind paying out difference
of $50 or $40 for the pleasure of having a
new machine each year.
Complaint is frequently made by women
riders that the lacing on the dress guards
on the rear wheel of the drop frame models
often breaks, becomes detached, and requires
constant attention. Various cOlored cords of
good thickness are used for this lacing, but
they do not stand the wear and tear. A
rider who has devoted some attention to
some good substitute for the cord lacing
recommends thin wire. The cord, in addition
to liability to break from rough usage or
undue strain, will also rot and wear away
at the eye holes of the mud guard. Rain and
the wear of a skirt over the cords help to
impair their strength. 1t is suggested that
a good substitute for the cord which is both
strong and able to withstand rust, is thin
insulated wire. This wire put on the guards
not detract any from the appearance of the
wheel.
"a good deal OF nonsense has been spoken
and written on the question whether cycling
is in any way injurious to health" says
cycist. True it will not absolutely inure
its votaries against fever influenza and all
the other ills to which flesh is heir but IL
nature Is invigorated and strengthened by
exercise and fresh air, the chances Of falling
prey to disease are all the more remote.
Cycling has been the means OF prolonging
many a life 1t has also, of course been
responsible for the loss Of life through acct
dent and otherwise, but in this connection
probably no more lives have been lost in
proportion to the number Of whee.men and
wheelwomen than in the football or cricket
field
1t may not be known, even to every one
In the tire trade, that solar heat is sufficient
to vuleanize rubber, provided too great a
portion OF sulphur is not used. Excessive
exposure OF wheel to the suns rays has
the immediate effect OF vulcanizirg the
tires. which over-vu.canization hastens de-
terioration. Thus, often the sun is directly
responsible for the unsatisfactory wearing
qualities Of tire, which may in every way
have been a product Of most excellent ma
terial and workmanship.
''By the way, Miss Hash said the dvs-
peptic boarder to the landlady's daughter
at the breakfast table:
Your mamma is member of cycling
club. isn't she?''
Yes replied that persons understudy.
Owns bicycle, doesn't she?"
Rides it stripped?"
Sir haughtily, she always has bloc"
Il mean the machine. No mud guards on
it, are there?"
No
We'll, I wish you'd ask her'-and the
dyspeptic bosrder looked gloomiIy in the
cup he stirred his coffee-''if she doesn't
think it would be good idea to have them
attached in some way to the coffee pot Just
look at the stuff 1 am drinking "-Pick-Me-
Up.
The concession granted to bicyclists by the
Pennsylvania Railroad company is a source
of much qualification. Chief Consul BOYLE
of the L. A. W.. is entitled to much of the
credit for securing what is considered the best
concession made to wheelmen throughout the
country either by national or state legislation
or from private corporations, namely, the
free transportation of wheels over its entire
system. The question has been the bone Of
contention between railroad companies and
cycling organizations for some time back.
The present concession was made entirely
grat5Iitously by the Pennsylvania railroad and
without any contest whatever, as the result
of frequent conferences between the railroad
officials and Consul Boyle.
August Lehr, the German champio., viii
race in Paris this year.
1t is said there are 10, 900 tandem fiders
in Greater New York.
o. Murphin, member OF the Michigan d.
vision, was forced to pay toll TO ride on the