The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-23

as part payment on new wheels, and att
erwards either used as renting stock or
relegated to that haven of superannuated
wheels, the basement.
Savannah is an ideal town for wheel
ing and il is undoubtedly owing to its
natural advantages in this respect that
the bicycle is so popular
To many miles of asphalt brick and
shen streets are added the excellent cOun-
try roads, where far from the heat and
dust of the city one can enjoy the fresh
breezes of the country
The almost prohiDtory prices of a few
years ago made the bicycle luxury pos
sible Only 10 the rich but with the in
crease of production and decreased prices
they have gained in favor both for bust
ness and pleasure. Makes that a short
time ago commanded SIS and 500 can now
be had cheap as $40 and $50, and on
inStallments 50 small that the silent
steed" is within easy reach of all.
a source of wonder to many is what
becomes of the old wheels. One has only
to visit one of the large repair shops and
be enlightened on this point. Bicycles in
all stages of repair and disrepair are scat
tered about, While rims" tires and other
parts adorn the walls in every direction.
One dealer, when asked about this mat
ter. said. I'VE re-enamel them, put on
new tires and sell them" another said he
used them for renting purposes and made
them pay for themselves in this way.
The soldiers created an immense bust
ness in this line, and during the stay Of
the Seventh Army Corps there We're times
when the dealers could not supply the
demand.
Numbers of old wheels are also sold TO
colored boys of limited means and under
the names of ices" furnish endless
amusement for the small boys.
The Importance of the bicycle business
-, /,
there are five or six firms that carry only
bicycles and their supplies. while dealers
in sundries, repair shops, or bicycle hos
pitals,a they are called and other houses
that handle wheels as a side line, are
too numerous to mention.
Not the least curious effect of bicycle
riding has been it's potent influence in
favor of dress reform. Costumes are
worn with all the consciousness of being
in good form that, before the advent of
the wheel would have caused spectators
to stand aghast.
Savannah at one time
boosted number of bicycle
clubs. bur they seem to have lost their
popularity and are now but seldom heard
Of.
Among the ladies there are a number of
excellent riders who think nothing of a
trip to Isle of Hope or White Bluff and re-
turn within a few hours. The small boy
however, is the trick rider and it is his
delight and daily practice to show off on
the most crowded streets 10 the imminent
risk of himself as well as Dassers by.
one of these boys makes it a practice to
ride down Bull street during the business
part of the day on a wheef without handle
bars of any sort, the machine is guided
solely by the deNterous balancing of his
b2dE.
To business men the bicycle represents
so much invested capital, and to scorchers
so many new records, but there is another
class, and by no means small one, to
which it has nearer and a dearer signih-
canoe. for out under the Stars resting after
a ride many are the soft words that are
said and not a few young couples nave de
cided at such times that they TOO like
Daisy would pedal away on the road of
life" together.