The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-04-04
WHIRLS OF THE WHEEL

The man who hasn't new patent cycling
Device concealed somewhere about his per-
son is rare bird these days. The wan
clerks of the patent office at Washington
are breaking down under the strain of
overwork, and the quantity Of startling
new things for attachment to bicycles
outnumber other inventions three to one.
The amusing thing about most Of these
cycling novelties is their hopeless imprac-
ticability. Meanwhile the patent attor-
neys wax fat and buy brownstone houses.
while competing cycling manufacturers
add to their stock of junk and deplete their
bank accounts by purchasing every queer
mechanism likely to be acquired by their
business rivals. The game Is exciting,
though costly.
The League of American Wheelmen, at
Its last national assembly and in 1897 as we'll,
defeated all attempts to secure sanction
for Sunday racing in any part of the coun-
try. The l.. A. w. is an ally of the Inter
national Cyclists association, which set
the worlds championships for September
4. and II. Two of these dates fall on
Sunday, and any racing men who represent
this country must atone and the same time
carry L. A. w. credentials and race on Sun
day. No doubt Chairman Mott will find a
way out with his usual facility. probably
making an exception for the good of racing.
o o o
e. c. Bald, "Cannon Ball" Bald, the fam
Gus bcyclist who is credited with being
the fastest sprinter III America today, was
in New York the other day with p. T.NPow-
ers. Bald's mission was to choose a new
racing wheel for the coming season. Bald
was the star of last years circuit win
ming nearly twice as many points as his
nearest competitor, Arthur Gardiner. He
appeared to be in excellent condition, and
though some few pounds heavier than at
the close of last season, expects to lose a
little superfiuous weight in the next few
weeks, when he begins training. Bald does
not train fine, and never sacrifices strength
to reduce weight He is an everyday rider,
and does not hesitate to appear at six meets
a week.
1t looks as If Jimmy Michael may be
forced to turn Jockey and follow the turf
this summer, although it has been his in
tention right along, while practicing on the
horses, to stick to the wheel this year.
Now, however, fat salary that he re-
ceived last year from a tire-maker has
been withdrawn from him, and it is ru-
mored that he may also lose the salary
he draws from the maker of the wheel he
rides. Dave Shafer, Michaels manager,
is not the kind of a man to work for glory
and at present he Is very impatient with
the Welsh midget because of Jimmy's fond
ness for the horses. Without the support
of the tire and wheel manufacturers, Sha-
fer apd Michael would lose not only the good
income, but would have to pay the expense
of pace-makers out of the prizes won. This
would hardly leave decent profit this
season, and unless Michael quits fooling
around the horses and makes connections
with some other manufacturer, Shafer Is
likely to desert him. In event of such a
happening Jimmy would probably feel that
the acceptance of position as Jockey
would be the onlyscourse left for him.
o 0 o
A new racing saddle, which marks dis
tinct departure has been brought out by
the makers of well Unknown padded saddle
of the anatomical type. The new article
offers to racing men padded base, with
out any rear elevation for a brace, and
an exceedingly long nose or horn The
horn also is padded. 1t is pretty much the
opposite of what has heretofore been con-
sidered the proper thing,
O O O
new bicycle consists of pair of tubes.
located side by side. and bent at the rear
end into substantially circular form, the
extreme ends terminating in bearings To-
Gated scientifically within the circular por-
ton.
Dr. Championierre of Paris, who has de-
voted much, attention to the medical as
poets Of cycling, speaking of long distance
contests, says 1t is useless to eat (although
he excerpts fruits in making this statement
during violent exercise, but 1t is important
to drink, and If the body is in good working
order the only result of the effort is de-
crease in weight.
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