The record-union., 1898-08-06
OF INTEREST TO CYCLISTS.
THE DECLINING WHEELWAY-
ADVICE TO WOMEN RIDERS.
New Tire Valve-C1ub Runs-htII
Climbing-A Convert-Hoad
Races-Cycling Abroad

Races-Cycing ABROAD.
valve for pneumatic tires has re-
gently been patented, says the "Scien-
tific American" which is so constructed
that all the parts may be readily re-
placed when necessary. The valve cas-
ING is designed to be inserted through
the rubber nipple extending from the
tire and is provided with exterior ribs
to retain its place An outwardly ex-
tending flange on the upper portion of
the casing obviates the danger Of fore
ing the casing too far into the nipple.
On the outside of the nipple a support
ing and STRENGTHENING thimble is fitted
The casing is interiorily threaded, and
at the base of the threaded interior
a valve seat is formed a valve carrier
having an exterior screw thread is re-
ceiyed with the casing and carries an
inner flexible tube having an integral
flap valve, which, normally inclined,
takes a firm seat against the valve car
rier. The plug or cap for closing the
valve casing is threaded and longitu-
dinally slotted. Pivoted near its end
In the slot is tongue which may be
caused to open the valve for Debating
the tires. When it is desired to permit
the air to escape, the tongue is allowed
to fall from it's normal position, SO that
the smaller end of the tongue will pass
through the valve carrier by screwing
the plug or cap inward to unseat the
valve. The essential features of the
invention are the improved flap valve,
the upper flange on the casing, which
prevents the inner end of the casing
from coming in contact with the oppo-
site side of the tire and the novel de-
fating devices.
New York Tribune: Speaking of the
decadence of club runs, it will be re-
membered that several of the large
clubs decided late last season to aban-
don the practice These clubs believed
there was a slight chance of reviving
them this year, and schedules were ar
ranged Within the last few weeks
their lack of popularity has been so
plainly shown that many of the big
clubs are refusing to arrange further
schedules. For reasons for this attitude
a member Of the Harlem Wheelmen
puts it quite forcibly. I'm the history
of bicycle clubs Of five or ten years
ago." he says ''the weekly club rum
figured as one If not the only, induce
ment for a man to join club of that
kind The good roads We're not many,
and the road houses and hotels in gen.
eral did not cater to bicyclists, and, IN
fact, were inclined to ignore, and in
some few cases, refused to serve them.
Therefore, membership in a wheeling
club insured not only companionship
each Sunday, but also the certainty Of
going to some place where a good din
ner could be procured and where the
cyclist would be welcome-the Captain
making 1t his special business to know
where such places were located. All
conditions considered, the club run was
almost a necessity. To-day that state
of things is entirely changed; good
roads lead in all directions, and scat
tered along their entire length are to
be found an increased number of hotels
all Of which do their utmost to obtain
the good will and patronage of the
wheelmen. The number OF clubs has
increased beyond conception, the num-
Der Of members in each ranging from
% to 800; consequently, a scheduled
run to any certain place cannot be ex-
pected TO be acceptable to all, and
small parties of from two to six or
eight are made up to go to different
places, as suits the tastes of the indi-
viduals. The decline in the popularity
of the club run is to be regretted for
1t is certainly a source whereby new
acquaintance Were made, new friend
ships formed, and old ones cemented
more quickly than in any other club
function. There are other reasons too,
why its passing it to be regretted, not
the least Of these being the incentive to
go to new places by the best routes, TO
know and see the country as only a
wheelman sees It,"
A rather alarming prospect is sug-
gested by the announcement that a
medical man has found the bicycle OF
great benefit to patients in the early
stages Of mental disease. If it can be
guaranteed that the insane cyclist shall
be strictly confined to his own prem
ises, or to those Of the asylum or sani-
tarium Of which he may be a guest
we'll and good. But the mere off
chance of the addition of bedlamite
"bikers" to the already abounding per-
lis of the streets is enough TO shatter
the timid wayfarer's last remnant OF
nerve, and to darken his daily walks
abroad with the shadow Of an ever
present terror.
1t is surprising that more accidents
do not occur, especially to lady riders
owing to the lack of attention which
many of them pay 10 their machines
and also their unwillingness in many
cases to attain any mechanical knowl-
edge, which they regard as unnecessary
and so much avoidable trouble One
has often seen ladies riding on ma
chimes in a condition which almost
raises ones hair" and with an in
difference which no man would dare tc
emulate.
Cycling is making great progress In
India, which can now boast two jour
nails devoted TO the pastime One is
published in Bombay, the other in Cal.
cutta.
In Berlin arrangements are being
made to apportion off a narrow track
along the sides of the principal thor
oughfares. Under these conditions the
risk of cycling even in the city would
be minimized.
The Capital City Wheelmen under
guidance of Lieutenant Milne will make
a slow club run to Woodland to-mor.
row, the Tth inst, leaving the club
rooms at a. m.