The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-21
NEWS OF THE wHEELMEN.
soORCHING a CoMMoN THING ON
THE OONEK ISLAND FAITHS.


Owing to the scarcity Of policemen on the
cycle paths between Coney Island and ProspecS
Park scorchers are riding rampant over this
popular route, which is conceded TO DO tho finest
wheelway in the world. There are now only
four officers In charge OF both paths. and they
relieve each other. so that Mt times there 10 only
one man to patrol each FIVE and q half mile
stretch and stop all riders on every part Of It
who travel faster than twelve miles an
hour. II the officer rode at the rate
Of q mile a minute no could not do
this. and II he was actually ubiquitous
and did his fullest duty IL would take him about
5000 hours, or seven months, to attend In court,
at the rate OF two cases an hour, all the arrests
that he would make on any Sunday, because
there are at least 10000 riders who exceed tho
speed limit on that day. The paths are such
lne and easy riding that cyclists do not appre-
ciRto the gait ct which they travel on them.
Twelve miles an hour means one mile in i've
minutes, or twenty-seven and one-half minutes
in which to ride the length OF the path with
out q stop. There are thousands of riders
who profess detestation Of the scorcher, yet
count the path as a half.hour ride. They have
done 1t in less when they hurried n little and did
not stop. and they would be dumfounded IL
sometimes they would hold q stop watch DO.
tween mile posts and note how fast they were
going. A mile in five minutes is not really fast
travelling on tho path. 1t is q gait followed by
those who count themselves leiBurely riders.
The hated scorcher goes at a clip Of three
minutes or less. Nine riders in ten are
pretty sure to exceed the speed limit at
1Smo time during q trip to Coney Island;
their average gait. This has been demon:
strated by stop watches and speed indicators
az sRS nr rid.rS, w 81 % DC nO %h Sei ksPs P ESSS S c1ar
exceed ten miles an hour. Fifteen or eighteen
minutes is the scorcher's time in which 20 ride
thu five and n half milaa nj tho nhih md thara
when there is little trsyeii, in order to take : a Pfftt
nature Of cyclists to want now and then to let
out a link or two, to pedal faster hit 1t up.
feel the glow, and glory of cutting through the
air at q rapid clip.
There 10 exhilaration in all speedy movement.
whether on a boat, behind q horse, or on q
staid bicycle riders that inclines them to cut
loose occasionally and vie, with tho speedy set; or
ity unexerciseu is tantalizinE, more so than the
possession Of a fast horse without opportunity
Go sos sRssa sin' bs sSSFSsio 81 f Il. a ef hsSit ; npSn the be
scorcher and its menace to Others, and on the
common roads under present conditions it must
hand, those " no love to Scorch or to occasionally
exceed the limit Of speed, which is the same SO
As has been pointed out, there are many con-
sentative riders who now and then put on o
lance. In New York owners Of fast horses have
a speedway. In Brooklyn there is no limit Of
nue. and Coney Island. Below Twenty.second
avenue owners OF trotting horses may race
as s PSSh as t On the Choose cycle That pa sf0'iG 3Ror Is
is no such arrangement. On Sundays
to apq p,rm hHl'f IL, But Il Il ha %0 S.sn c ne 5%P Sy o1de
time riders that the same rule on the cycle path
that applies on the drive would be perfectly
are two paths fourteen feet wida, with travel
moving only in one direction on each. Under
exceeds twelve miles an hour at any time is a
scorcher and a lawbreaker. The police are too
aithouEh there have been many, arrests
Of late, Even IL the path had thrice
%soiute IT''G pre8en sSSE'n' There s'i IS too not much SS of Of
1t for the police to cope with, and, further. not
enc man in 5000 is q competent Judge of pace.
fragrant breaches of the speed ordinance COM
nitted by upright sitting riders with high gears
escape detection. while one stopped over to suit
himself, and riding within the limit with q low
gear and consequent rapid leg action. is halted.
A check on tho reckless scorchers who spoil tho
OCEAN will probably pr baby not be Q made until b BrooIiyn
has a full squad of bicycle police like Now York,
with q central headquarters for them instead OF
being detailed from differently precincts. Not only
the paths, but Twenty second avenue and tho
e cypIists s inSfSp g. patrol feS. H hre d R9PHlnte w StoP
to all 1corching will probably never DO made
until human nature has lost its spirit Of
physical prowess. A speedway for cyclists
would be no more discriminating than one for
horses. and, in view of the fact that there are
moro persons who own fast wheels than there
are owning last horses, it would probably be
less OF a concession.
1t is becoming a subject of speculation in
League circles as to who will be the next cRndi-
date for Chief Consul OF the New York State
division. Walter s. Jenkins, the present incum-
1t may be that President Potter, who was
Jenkins's predecessor at the head OF the State
forces, will again become the leader. Many of
his friends are anxious TO see him do this and
build up the division. 1t was under Potter that
$4,000, II is rumorcd that Potter viii be salts
fed with his two terms and will not again
seek the Presidency of the League. As no Is a
thorough New Yorker, and made a greater sue
cess at the head Of the State division than no
has as leader Of the national body. the talk of
his again running, for Chief Consul does not
seem altogether wild. There are other forces to
be counted upon. however. Last year friends of
Magistrate Charles f. Simms, Jr., wanted him
to run in opposition TO Jenkins, who was the
Potter candidate, SimmS did not do SO; but he
has tho same following now that he had last
been often whispered that he has the Chief
again seek leadership, as has been hinted. IL ia
likely there would be some kind of opposi tion.
against rstt tho sI donS6tS P PSaid ntT howev Hntd for rS he
still has an immense following. because OF all no
has done In the interests Of the League. More.
when aroused.
Hudson street iS In poor condition. and few
riders coming from New Jersey or over the
bridge care about going through Division street
NhA ~ 49," 49, "HG SSSy ~ SOhhN
for the east side or west side. Owing to Fifth
avenue and West Fourth street being asphalted
there is now a way 10 pedal uptown from tho
City Hall to the west side. and AVOID both
Hudson street and Second avenue. This is by
turning from Centre street at Duane street
into Park street, going through Mulberry to
Blocker street, and there. instead of turn
Ing east. wheeling west to broadway. After
four blocks Of riding oyer 4 good granite
down Fourth street, which is asphaIted. to
Washington square. going across the square
and under the arch to Fifth avenue. At Fifty
eighth street riders can turn west to Eighth
avenue and thence to tho Boulevard, or turn
east to Madison avenue or can go to First
avenue, II they want TO wheel further up on the
presents so many opportunities Of turning on
that one can got to almost any part Of the city
on good pavement. and without going. through
any disagreeable sections, except Mulberry
street, where the children play in the road.
PHIIADELPHIA, June 2o.-John s. johnson in
n ten.mile paced race tonight defeated Karl
Kasor at Woodside Park. Time. 20 minutes
20 2.5 seconds.
Chairman Mott of the Racing Board Yesterday