The record-union., 1899-03-27
tend similar time accommoda odations to
their German representatives.

twin roller chains, etc, etc. the weight
of bicycle is gradually going up, and
It has become a matter of impossible
ity to turn out a light roadster under
thirty pounds.
By light roadster we assume an
equipment Of light roadster tires, road
racing saddle, brake and guards, tool
bag and tools, with possibly S-inch
cranks, large chain wheel and half-inch
pitch or twin ROLLER chain
With a metal gear case the weight
goes to thirty-two pounds; in the ma
jority of cases it will be found much
nearer thirty-four pounds. Sensible
cyclists will accept these weights as be-
ing just outside the danger line.
J. w. Stocks, the English rider who
has broken so many records in Eng
this year, and will try the American
tracks with a new motorcycle.
Rivierre, the veteran French rider,
will enter the Paris-Bordeaux road race
this year, using three automobiles to
pace him the distance.
+
The appointment of Charles w. Mears
as American delegate to the Interna-
tional Cyclists Association meeting at
Montreal in August makes the second
appointment that has been made from
this country since the meeting was held
in America. The previous delegate was
Howard E. Raymond, who attended
the meeting at Copenhagen.
According to an English exchange "a
cycle baptism" took place recently at
Ixelless, a suburb of Brussels The
child was carried in a perambulator
attached to the fathers bicycle.
Three cycle shows were held in Bel
gium the past winter. The first at Ant
werp, in the hall of the covered winter
track, by the Syndicate of the Cycle
Press; the second alt Brussels, under
the direction of the Union eft Veloce
Club Bruxelluis at the Pole Nord, and
the third by the Liege Centre de la
Ligue Velocipedique Beige, at the In
dustrial Hail. The Minister of War
has issued a decree providing for the
formation of four companies of mill
tary cyclists from the regiment of car
abiniers. Each company will be pro-
vided with 125 folding bicycles.
In the course of a recent lawsuit in
London, when Henry Reynolds, the
Irish lad who won the worlds amateur
two years, was suing
railroad company for damages, it
was brought out that the amateur was
the recipient of a regular salary from
different firms, and now the Interna-
tional Cyclists Association has been
asked to revoke his title of amateur
champion and give it to the next con-
testant.
With the opening of the British Par
llament the question of universal lights
again crops up. The Cyclists Touring
Club, which is said to have about
5000 members of both sexes, is ap-
pealing to members of the House of
Commons with view to compelling the
carrying of lights by all vehicles al
night 1t is stated that within the last
twelve months a large number of coun-
ty and borough councils in Great Brit
ain has passed bylaws intended to
meet this point, but that many of these
are SO qualified in their terms as to
render greater the need for a statute
The latest association to be formed
in England in connection with the
wheel is the Christian Cyclists Union.
The objects of this association are to
band together Christian cyclists. hold
Open-air services in villages, and dis
tribute tracts as the members ride
through the country.
-
Cycling West: Imitation is the sin
cerest form of fattery. No better evi-
dence of foreign recognition of Ameri-
can superiority in the way of cycle
building is required than the weak irni-
tation of American cycles by Cont
mental makers. Especially is this true
Of French and German makers, and
particularly so of the former In France
to-day everything is Americanized out
Of all local semblance-and for that
matter out of resemblance to anything
On earth in the way of a good bicycle
when it comes to quality of materal
and merit of construction. In general
contour alone do the French abortions
even family approach the American
models which they are supposed to be
patterned after. In finish, material. de-
sign and construction they are all lack
ing, and their only merit seems to lie in
the fact that they look Yankee like. u
The eagerness of Continental makers to
make their machines resemble Ameri-
can ones is a tacit acknowledgment not
only of the latter's superiority but of
their continentals popularity as we'll.
The word American" is to-day syn
onomous with the highest excellence
in everything mechanical and will con-
tlnue to be so unless our makers sui
cidially destroy their prestige by send
Ing out inferior goods. We have
achieved an enyiable distinction which
should be religiousIy conserved, and in
order to do that there is only one log
lcal procedure. Let our future Con-
tinental offerings be strictly high grade.
If any have thought the chainless
wheel a. mere fad, let them be dis
abused. The chainless has come to
stay. The several forms Of it now be-
fore the riders of America have all
proved their excellence. They may not
be so much used by racing men. but
among outing and everyday riders we
prophecy that they will take a first
place, because of cleanliness, ease and
several other virtues. To this date but
two kinds have been introduced in Sac
ramento-the bevel gear and the Sager
Each has its champions and each its
devotees. Others are bound to appear
but as they stand now the chainleSs
wheels fulfill every promise made fol-
them