The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-05-31


pleasures of cycling scarcely compen-
safe for the pains. A change is about
to come over the face of these condi-
tions, however, by the construction Of
the most novel and elaborate wheel
way in this country and probably in
the world. An elevated cycle path of
framework nine miles long has been
designed to connect the two places.
Pasadena and Los Angeles are sis
ter cities, and the problem of trans
portation between them has been slow
to find solution owing to the rolling
character of the intervening country
and the waterways. The amount OF
traffic between the towns demanded
facilities, and as ways to furnish
these were found thu travel increased,
until now they are bound together by
chain of four railroads, three Of
steam power and one electric. After
the last link was added to this chain
there remained large contingent Of
the population in both cities that was
still unprovided for. There was not
fit route for cyclists.
The lack of good roads between Los
Angeles and Pasadena has been keen.
ly felt for years, and the hills inter-
7ening made the construction of an
ordinary cycle path impracticable.
The trip northward to Pasadena is an
uphill grind. In spite of these dis
comforts many made the inter.city
trip for business or pleasure, and not
withstanding ell disadvantages the
ranks of the cyclists increased, until
here are at least 10000 in Los An.
geles County alone. This growth in
The face of discourageiuent suggested
The commercial wisdom of catering to-
80 persistent a sport, and the genius
:or the emergency appeared in the
person of Horace NJ. Dobbins, of
Pasadena, who organized the Califor-
ola Cycleway Company. Capital was
quickly forthcoming and plans were
drawn for on elevated balcony. stretch
ing between the sister cities, e1clu-
,ively for cyclists. The franchise
and right of way have been secured.
The engineers estimates completed
and work begun, and now the natives
wonder why someone did not think OF
It before. 49,.
The path will be supported ty pill
lare of different heights, to equalize
the grade, and the floor will be Of
boards. The width will be about ten
feet, and each side will be inclosed
by lattice work rising to height OF
nbout four feet. The path will be
lighted by double row OF lights,
placed so as to alternate as they do on
the East River Bridge, and half way
between the cities park and casino
will be established by the company.
The tariff for the use of the structure
has been figured down to nominal
basis, on a plan Of issuing annual
passes with share Of stock. The
cycleway will start from q central
point in Pasadena and winding down
the Arroyo Seco on its eastern side
will cross the Los Angeles River some
distance below Beuna Vista streetand
terminate at the plaza in Los Angeles.
Wheelmen and wheelwomen will be
able to glide along this smooth way
almost without exertion going south
to Los Angeles. looking off upon the
rolling scenery or down upon the
woods, the fields, the hills and hol-
lows, the heavy roads from which
they are freed, and the car tracks that
cannot jolt them. Reversing the ride
and travelling north from Los Angeles
will be no hardship, for the grade has
been laid out so that it is almost i'm
perceptible.