The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-09
OF INTEREST TO CYCLISTS.
A CHEMICAL BICYCLE FIRE
ENGINE-NEW COMPUTATION.
Proposed Track Relays-The Free
Wheel-Chainless Wheels-Ex-
port Trade-Foreign Notes.

Quot pitching is now favorite sport
on the grounds of the Capital City
Wheelmen. 1t is healthful and spec
tally beneficial exercise, trains equally
hand and eye and develops series of
often deprived of proper exer-
else. A fine broad arc swing has been
on the grounds, a climbing rope
and from time to time other
athletic exercises will be introduced.
Putting the stone is already favorite
with the more muscular on the
The grounds are now lighted
for an hour after dark daily.
The California Associated Cycling
Clubs propose to put up the Cycling
West" trophy for clubs in the associa
ton in relay races on earth tracks.
The idea is to have it contested for an
nually. The Capital City Wheelmens
racing men are strongly favorable to
the proposition, and it is probable that
will be completed and the
first contest pulled off at Ingleside
Park, San Francisco, in October.
Much discussion is taking place in
NS~~AO W eAiO odN d4ld6C6 SlAo f0tSdQc
vantages of the free wheel There is
natural shyness against it's general
adoption, because a rider used to the
ordinary, and relying on back pedaling
to control his pace, feels uncomfortable
when he attempts it on "a free wheel,
and the machine runs on as though he
had no control over it. 1t takes an old
stager some time to forget his back
pedaling and get into the way of al
ways applying the brake when he
wants to slow up. A brake is excellent,
but it never gives you the exact con-
troll over machine that back pedaling
does. Then when the pedals are sta
tionary while the rider is coasting, the
position is not so comfortable and easy
as putting your toes on the toe rest.
The Omaha lamp law has been sus-
tanned by the courts of that city and
is being rigidly enforced.
At a five-mile motor cycle race which
occurred in Crystal Palace, London. a
short time ago, in which four vehicles
having three wheels and driven by Pc
troleum participated, the running time
fir the winning vehicle was s minutes
% 30 seconds, which was faster than
the best bicycle record for that dis
lance, which was 8 minutes and II Is
seconds.
A recent army regulation allows Ger
man officers to use cycles in the dis
charge of their duties whenever prac-
ticable, such as in posting sentries and
visiting outposts. The regulation is liza
BILE to popularize cycling among the
higher class in Germany, and thus, of
course. benefit the trade
It is announced, semi officially, that
any increase in the German tax on
cause the commercial treaties with
a charge.
While Americas export of bicycles to
Switzerland has been steadily increas-
ing and England's falling off, France
and Germany are long ways ahead,
with Germany in the lead. This big
lead of the Fatherland shows that there
is room in the cantons of the Alps for
more American cycles.
The New York Tribune says that
more chainless wheels are seen on the
road every day. Dealers throughout
this district say that the recent de-
mand for wheels of this sort has as
tonished them. The demand for cha n
less wheels from fashionable summer
resorts overbalances the order for
chain wheels. In speaking OF the sub
Il have sold many chainless wheels
this year and have yet to hear from a
single dissatisfied purchaser. That is
certainly pretty good record"
Paris is to have electric automobile
street sweepers in the near future.
The bicycle has at last been adapted
to the fire service. A new invention
by A. w. Dolfini Of New York produces
what might be appropriately called
the twentieth century" chemical en-
gine-an apparatus that will serve
every purpose of any chemical fire en-
-inguisher and has the additional merits
Of unprecedented speed and economical
This new apparatus con-
sists simply of an ordinary chemical
tank mounted on a frame of steel tub
ng, equipped with the ordinary bicycle
means of foot propulsion, with two
pairs of wheels. The machine shown is
for four riders, but there is nothing to
prevent the addition of as many more
seats and pedals as are desired. Four
men, however are more than enough
% propel the machine with ease. The
weight on such a vehicle in service
would amount to about l, 140 pounds
Jour men of an average weight of 160
the tank and equipments
weighing about 800 pounds.
The first machine built by Mr.. Dolfini
vas given trial several days agO AS
he tank was not ready to be placed in
is position, board seats were fixed on
he rear end of the vehicle. Then eight
nen-four of whom operated the pedals
ind four of whom sat on the improvised
ear seats, rode the machine from the
0olfini shop in Brooklyn to .Coney ISL
and and return, distance for the
'ound trip of about twenty miles. The
light men, who weighed in" at Coney
island, showed total avoirdupois of
PAT pounds. Allowing for stops, the
wenty- mile trip was made in sixty
and no particular effort at
speed was attempted. If the old con-
ention that every minute saved in
going to fire is of incalculable value
lolds good, and no one doubts that it
loes, the time-saving feature in the
operation of this new fire-fghting ma
,hine is alone enough to warrant it's
general use by fire departments There
S no delay as with horses. Two. three