New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-23
CYCLING.
ONLY THE OCEAN STOPS THEM IN
THEIR MAD RUSH
PRESIDENT KEENAN, SAILS FOR EURoPE-wHERE
REPAIRS ARE NEEDED BADLY.

ing the countless throng wheel down side Of
the Boulevard and UP the other. They might
nave been father and son. and they might have
been Just two ordinary bicycle enthusiasts thrown
together BY accident. Il often wonder" said the
older man, "as sit here and watch the throngs 20
past. where they all go to. Now we have been sit
ing hero for half an hour and yet the wheelmen
nave gone by ia droves never-ceasing. endless hu-
, man chain. II II were not for the ocean where
would they 20 to- for certainly the ocean is the
| only thing that stops them Now where does
| that great throng go to? Few Of them turn to
! the left before they reach the island and there
docs not seem to be enough for all of them
on the bowery' The young man gave II up and
| added: DO you know that this lettering around
and seeing the throng is of the chief charms
OF wheeling to me? l wheel the spirit moves
me- and when feel like resting rest. I wander
| Just as my fancy Dictates and I generally start
| early In the morning Sunday. and get back
| home after dark. | eat when | get hungry but
| ! never drink anything. except water milk l
! have found that wheeling for the time being
| destroys In me any desire for intoxicating drinks.
When wheeling 1 want water and plenty
| OF IT, and don't know that ever drank better
| water than that which | get at the fountain at
| the southern exit Of Prospect Park Another thing
mat nave noticed especially Sunday and holt
| days. is the large number of amateur bicycle
Parers one meets on these same cycle paths. A
bicycle policeman told me the other day that every
Monday morning all sorts Of bicycle parts to
De iound strewn on the side OF these paths. &C
count for this by the fact that many old and
| dllapidated and practically bicycles
queen Siuush ny people who never get out except on
SUNDAY. Ihey argue possibly that, as they can ride
only once week, II Is not necessary 10 purchase
new wheel. although the one that they own may be
raining 10 pieces. The accidents these old ice
wagons cause CONSERVATION to many other riders.
A, careless rider on one OF these Dc apidaed wheels
VIII cause more trouble on popular driveway
that his mount is Of little account. and so long as
ne Is not injured himself he does not care much
not or course IL Is mpracticable to have Off
clal inspector OF bicycles at the head of the path
| lo-tr NOT
pay s te ride poor wheel at any time. and nobody
and the lives of others on a popular cycle path"
And they both agreed thoroughly. and. mounting
their wheels started of toward Coney Island
T. J. Keenan, jr. OF Pennsylvania the president
Of the League OF American Wheelmen sailed for
Europe on the steamship Barbarossa yesterday
afternoon While Mr.. Keenan, goes abroad to at
tend the meeting Of the international Touring AS
ISOLATION. he will also attend meetings looking TO
preparation for the accommodation Of newspaper
men who will visit Paris ard the International Ex-
position next year. Mr. Keenan, in speaking Of the
racing situation in this country said II will be
much surprised II the troubles hav not all been
settled when return to this country. ! am natu-
rally league partisan. all good wheelmen
should be- but, then. think that have little
business besides Now. the proposition to me
looks something like this: The professional riders
and track managers who have combined against
the League Of American Wheemen will find that
they have had enough OF IL before many weeks
have passed The outlaws may make an impress
sion in some parts Of the country for time, but II
world have never won battle when waged against
an organized force. and they never will in your
game for the money that he can make out OF il.
AS he finds that there is money in this
plans laid out for the management of these INSANE
toned meets cannot see where they can make a
success Of their undertaking. To hold the riders
and tracks the promoters must promote races regu-
5l no mater Of n2i ne gqe 1eces be-
1t does not have TO 0T M and 1t Is not de-
one Of many departments OF league work"
French physicians have added new disease to
those that affct humanity They call 1t loco
motor hystera." 1t manlfests itself in an insane
hurry 10 get over the ground. fellow who has
this disease. and has it bad can't stand anything
slow. II he goes driving. instead OF enjoying the
scenery he beats his horse into continual gallop
and when the beast drops exhausted, like the hero
OF the ballad he gets another mile out by the
twisting OF its tail" He runs to catch train or
ferrybo when there's the slightest need. But
Of course he's at his worst when he mounts his
bicycle and proceeds to slay miles and pedestrians;
then he becomes the modern terror-the scorcher.
Diagnosing scorching as disease. II is seriously
proposed TO carry the scorcher when he is caught,
10 hospital. where he may be detained for some
weeks and treated for his malay precisely IKE
"spaldings Bicycle Guide" just published. is the
latest number Of Spaldlng's athletic library. 1t
contains everything the wheelmsn wants TO know,
from finding the gear OF chslnless 10 telling how
to train for a bicycle race The trouble between
the League of American Wheelmen and the Ma
tonal Cycling Association is reviewed by competent
authorities The photographs OF prominent racing
table which undoubtedly s the most complete COM
pilation OF records ever published, and which Will
be OF value TO all followers OF cycling
An effort is being made to get together strong
cycle team TO represent the New-York Athletic
Club in the mile team contest in heats at Berkeley
oval on Memorial Day. Several former cracks OF
Columbia University will have places, on the team
which Is likely to consist Of the following: Dawson,
York Athletic Club will probably also be represent
ed In the muticycle handicap at two miles at the
same meet.
Many wheelmen Of late can recall several narrow
escapes from accidents at the Circle in Fifty
nlnth-st This is a dangerous spot these days when
so many wheelmen are about The heavy surface
cars dart around the Circle at considerable speed
II they crossed the Circle straight there would be
less danger to wheelmen and pedestrians There are
rough boards in places where repairs are being
made. which serve 10 Increase the danger
Fifth-ave. is becoming more popular with wheel
men every day. The asphalted surface is in good
condition practically all the way from Forty-ffth-
st to One-hundred -and-twenty- hfth-st There are
many rough places In ana me o re-
ceiye attention from the CITY oGaI I me
considerable space than is necessary.
one can reach the Vale OF Cashmere, in Prospect
Park Brooklyn. by turning left after entering the
park at the Plaza. The Client azaleas. rhododen-
drons white wistaria abound the Perzola. Be
fore long the rose garden will be In full bloom.
Lovers OF nature cannot afford TO fail 10 visit the
Vale OF Cashmere, at least Tor Few moments
The Aurora Grata Masonic Club was organized
in Brooklyn on Saturday. Matthew Gooderson was
elected president and captain and Il. w. Han
secretary and treasurer.
OPTIONS TO BE EXTENDED
Syracuse May re. c. Stearns. bicycle manu-
facturer Of this city. returned from NewYork this
morning whittier he called late last week by
A G. Spading and others interested In the forma-
ton of the American Bicycle Company.
II was believed here that the call 10 New-York