New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-14
IN THE CYCLING WORLD.
PROBABILITIES OF CHEAP WHEELS IN
THE FUTURE.

A STABLE BASIS. FOUNDED on SUPPLY AND De-
MAND. LIKELY TO BE REACHED SOON
BICYCLING RESTRICTIONS IN EUROPE
NOTES AND COMMENT
Much has been said and written within the
last few months in relation to the future price
Of bicycles. In speaking of this few days ago
q prominent manufacturer said:
THE public can rest assured that bicycles Will
be cheap in the future, but it must not con-
found the meaning Of the word cheapness with
that of some other word. Because bicycles vii!
be cheap 1t does not necessarily follow by any
means that they will be sold below the cost OF
production and the expense Of placing them on
the market. When l say that bicycles Will be
cheap. mean that the keen competition between
the large manufacturers will necessarily compel
the latter to be content with small profits. AS
a consequence of this the great facilities when
these manufacturers have for turning out bl-
cycles In large numbers will cause them TO be
sold cheapy. But the public should remember
that bicycles will not be sold for any great
length OF time below the cost Of production. any
more than any other article of trade, and SlOU
wheels will not be sold for $50, or 500 wheels
for SO"
The bicycle and athletic games between
the members of the Folice, Fire and Postoffice
departments of New-York City, which Will be
held on September II at Berkeley Oval. under
the auspices OF the New-York Firemen's Cycle
Club are already being widely discussed among
the men. The best riders and athletes in the
three departments are training hard. and every
contest on the long programme will have large
number Of entries. The races and games will
be holly contested. Handsome gold and silver
medals will be awarded to the victors In each
contest. The Race Committee Is made up OF
II. c. Ruch, chairman; Chief Castles, John X.
McCulum, David Curley. John F. McAree f.
Alburtus, Z. Port. Joseph McGrade and Lieuten-
ant Thomas Norton.
The programme Of races has been arranged
and Will be as follows:
One-mile novice. open; one-mile handicap
open to all amateurs one-mie championship
for Postoifice employees; one-mile championship
for policemen: one-mile championship for hre-
men, two-mie tandem for city employees; i've
mile championship for Police, Fire and Port
Office departments; twO-me race for members
Of police bicycle squad only; one-mile race Tor
members Of the New-York Fremen's Cycle
Club only. The track and field contests VIII m
clude the following: One-hundred yard DASH for
Police Fire and Postoffice departments; one
mile run, for iremen only; half-mile run, ~.
yard run, halfmilc walk. throwing the l2-pound
hammer throwing the discus. for Police. Fire
and POstofice departments; I5-yard dash, for
fat policemen, hremen and letter-carriers; con-
ISOLATION race for creased pig. open to non-win-
ners OF other contests.
THE Cycling Gazette" in It's last issue, says
in IN editorial bicycle racing:
Betting on the contestants appears to have
been the feature of the second Naturalization
match race the New-York newspapers saying
that thousands OF dollars changed hands on the
result And in addition 10 this now comes Sen
ator' Morgan, expressin gthe firm belief that
within a short time the bookmakers will have
an established and recognized position at cycle
meetings and as natural result. the sport
will experience wonderful increase in popu-
larity We most decidedly dissent. When, II
ever. the gambler obtains hold on the racing
game then its decline will begin. The new
popularity OF the contests Will not be healthy
one for il will mean the loss Of those patrons
who are attracted by the sport alone against
the gain of those sports who attend only be-
cause a chance at easy money making Is Of
fcred. The bookmaker has nearly been the
death Of bicycle racing in Australia; he would
do much for the sport in America
The Cycle Path Association OF st. Paul. Mimi.
feels aggreved against Mayor Kiefer. OF that
city. ard accuses him Of having broken faith
with its members The association supported
Mr. Kiefer In the last election. and opposed DR..
schinman his opponent. on the ground that the
latter would not commit himself in favor of
legislation favoring the building Of bicycle paths
a recent meeting Of the Board OF County Com
missioners TO fix the tax levy. The amounts
fixed upon included. among other things, S2,0OO
for cycle paths. All the amounts were appro-
priated with the exception of that for the cycle
paths. against which Mayor Kiefer voted.
The programme announced for the cycling
gymkhana and carnival OF the Century Wheel
men. of New-York. at Berkeley oval on Sep
TENDER 3 contains seven regular bicycle races
and ten gymkhana contests. besides a concert
in the evening. The Century Wheelmen nave
left nothing undone 20 make the meeting sue
cessfu one. and the entries to the races and the
other contests will undoubtedly be most nu-
merous. The members OF the League cycling
Club. one OF the largest and most progressive
bodies Of wheelmen Of Philadelphia. VIII be the
guests Of the Century Wheemen on the day OF
the meet and they will probably remain here
for several days afterward. The two clubs have
always maintained the most fraternal relations.
and have frequently exchanged visits In the last
few years The Century Wheelmen have made
many plans for the entertainment of the Quak-
ers during their stay, and II Is probable that
the Philadelphia cyclists VIII carry nome with
them pleasant recCllections OF their visit.
In France a married woman must not ride a
bicycle in the public streets or parks without
permit and she cannot get the permit from the
authoritie. without the written consent of her
husband The women bicycle riders OF Russia
have even greater difficulties to contend with.
In that country women are not even permitted
IN nossess a bicycle without first obtaining the
consent Of the Government year ago rev
women rode bicycles In Russia. ard those who
did were mostly members Of the royal family
and the nobility.
Desn,te the restrictions which surround the
Russian bicycle riders they are enthusiastic
wheelmen. Nobody can ride wheel in Russia
without first obtaining certificate or pron-
cheney issued by some professor Of the art OF rid
ing. person receiving one OF these certificates