New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-06
N THE CYCLING WORLD.
GETTING READY FOR BICYCLE DAY.
CYCLISTS HAVE PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT THESE
DAys-A WORD ABOUT THE BICYCLE
pEALER-CLUB ITEMS OF INTER

DEALER-CLUB ITEMS OF INTER
Esr-NoTEs AND COMMENTS.
Cyclists will have plenty 10 talk about for the
next two weeks. even though the weather should
happen to be Of the sort that prevents much
outdoor riding Most Of the cyclists high up In the
League OF American wheelmen affairs are about
to start for ST. Louis. where the annual as
sembly Of the organization will be held this
week. They, as we'll as those who will remain
at home are interested in the proposition TO
have Bicycle Day on February 20. The deal
ers OF the boroughs OF Manhattan and Brooklyn
have taken up the idea presented by Tho
Tribune, and with almost any sort OF weather
Bicycle Day this year promises to be well OBJ
served. and It seems reasonably sure 10 become
an annual institution Each dealer will arrange
his store and the sort Of entertainment he may
wish to give to suit his individual taste, and
there will not be that sameness which has al
ways characterized cycle shows held in this city
In other words. each dealer can have little
cycle show of his own. and II Will depend en-
tirely upon himself how well he SATISFIES his
visitors and customers. The riders of the dis
trict promise 70 do their part in making the
celebration a successful one. and the dealer
who Is so shortsighted that he falls to take ad-
vantage OF the opportunity will have only him
self to blame afterwards. While the Cycle
Board Of Trade of Long Island has not decided
as body TO observe the day, most or the
prominent dealers on the other side or the East
River will keep open house at their respective
places of business. The prediction has been
made freely by many Of the manufacturers and
riders that opening day can be made so salts
factory and enjoyable that the public at large
will cease to desire a National cycle show and
will each year look forward eagerly TO bicycle
Day.
The bicycle dealer has become an important
factor in every day business life. Both the rider
OF the wheel and the manufacturer owe him
much. The dealer is the man between the
manufacturer and the rider OF the wheel. and
he has done much to make cycling the popular
institution tina; II is to-day. The cyclist goes TO
the dealer to purchase his wheel, and in some
cases at least he simply relies on what the
dealer tells him regarding the bicycle. The
dealer must be honest in his business dealings
with his customers. and a general thing the
dishonest or trick dealer does not remain long
at one stand. Many of the prominent dealers OF
New-York and Brooklyn are men Of position in
their respective communities. and their opinions
ere considered worthy Of respect even outside
the ranks Of their wheeling acquaintance ana
friends. The dealers Of the city are Interested
In making Bicycle Day on February - sue
cess and IT is the duty of every rider OF the
wheel on both sides of the East River 10 do his
part 10 make the dealers celebration Of the
opening Of the season particularly ausplcious
one Some Of the dealers feel the absence OF
cycle show and they all seem 10 think that 81
cycle Day is the best substitute that can he
offered. and they are confident that it VIII be-
come an annual institution.
More than three thousand four hundred miles
have been covered at the rate of one hundred
miles a day by Teddy" Edwards. the plucky
little weshman who started with his Columbia
ba Of ne
how many consecutive centuries he could ride.
The press throughout the country has intimated
hat Edwards started out with the idea Of UNI
iertaking the seemingly impossible task Of rid
ng a hundred miles every day in the year.
Such. however was not the intention Of the
rider, who has thus far covered a century each
day from January. through the most rigorous
II winter weather. and undaunted by the biz-
yards and bad times generally that nave pre-
vailed To ride thirty consecutive centuries az
this 'eason is enough. but to keep on riding one
I'd miles day during the kind OF weather
sos has Just been furnishing is considered
strongest OF riders a hercuean task. and
nose who spin over the asphalt roads in
INNER time for a few miles each day 1t seems
,eyond the bounds Of possibility.
One Of the minor matters connected with
cycling in which marked improvements have
been made is the repair kit. In consequence
puncture is much less formidable thing than
II was four or five years ago. Those whose
memories carry them back that far will recall
the period when the best thing offered for re-
pairing puncture a lot OF rubber bands,
with an instrument for thrusting them through
the puncture after they We're covered with rub
Der solution. AMI then releasing them. The Won
Ger now is that a puncture was ever mended by
90 primitive device. Then came a piece u
rubber cord. and a thing like big needle with
the eye near the point. in which the round piece
OF rubber was threaded" and forced through
the aperture. 1t was not till three years ago
that plugs came into use. They are still used
to a large extent. but last year the machines
for mendng small punctures by simply apply
ing q preparation Of rubber 70 the inside of the
tire came out. and still other Improvements are
promised this year
The probabilities are that the penny the
slot pumps which are going TO be set up the
coming season in thousands Of places where
cyclists may find them handy will prove a great
convenience and a profitable venture for the
men interested financially in the scheme. pro-
vided. of course that the pumps keep in good
order and never fail TO work. Some repair men
keep free pumps on the sidewalk and they are
popular, but there is hardly any one who would
not be willing to pay cent for the privilege Of
making use Of a good pump. With such pump
q tire can be filed with three or four strokes,
and with none OF the discomfort attending the
use OF the hand pump. Still 1t will not do 10
throw away the latter altogether. Riders who
20 any considerable distance out OF town VIII
Be sure 10 find themselves some distance from
q penny-in-the slot pump, and may have &C.
CASTOR to regret not carrying hand pump in
the tool bag.
One OF the new things 10 tempt wheelmen
into spending money is a pedal converter"
which can be applied TO rattrap pedals and will
instantly change them into rubber, and which
Is announced TO be small enough 10 carry in
the pocket toolbag. But why should any one
want TO make this change? Few men nowadays
think Of using anything but rattrap pedals and
few women any but those fitted with rub
Der. The is not far to seek. There must
be a small number OF riders indeed who care 10