New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-02
CYCLING.
POPULAR WHEELWAYS IN NEED OF RE-
PAIRS MERRICK ROAD SHOULD
BE RESURFACED - WHERE
THE OLD WHEELS GO.

THE OLD WHEELS GO.
Wheelmen who have done much riding of late say
that many OF the popular wheelways In the district
are in need Of repairs. William r. Pitman, the
veteran rider, pays close attention to the CONDITION
Of the roads and he is of the riders who never
think of storing their wheels. He may be seen on
the road every clear Sunday during the winter
provided the roads are ridable In speaking OF the
roads yesterday Pitman said 1.-THE Merrick Road
should be resurfaced Immediately, especially from
Jamaica to Crawfords. There is stretch there
for about three miles which will get much worse If
something is not done. Wheelmen make smooth
path each side of the road. and these paths VIII
be found to be in much better condtion than the
all the way to Freeport it is worse this end.
which was the first part Of the road built. NOW III
they would repair the roads hereabouts as they 40
under the park system in Boston better repairs
would be made and the people who use the ROADS
idea here seems to be to pile on top dressing In
heaps and then allow travel TO distribute the ma
tributing II nicely and then watering the road.
Then the roadway is rolled and 1t Is IN rst Class
that the brick pavement leading into Jamaica Is
also full Of holes"
From other road experts and those who are rid
ing regularly 1t learned that the roads gener-
ally in excellent condition for this time OF the
year, except that they unusually dusty. little
rain would help the conditions for tomorrow. Sew
enth-ave in this borough, is better along the sides
where the wheemen have made paths than 1t is In
the middle. Lenox-ave. is in poor condition, and
the well posted wheemen seldom 20 there now.
The north side Of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES from
Fifth-ave 10 Lenox-ave., Is in condition which
does no credit to the city officials who sup
posed to look after such things A rider who passed
along that thoroughfare yesterday said last night
that had counted twenty loose pieces Of stone and
powders that side OF the street the distractions
being from the size of duck egg to the dimensions
Of a silk hat 1t is a dangerous place for wheel
men after dark Riders there frequently take 70
acfl 1lyo fOr fafN he
side Drive have been resurfaced and are In good
condition. Hudson-st. is still in bad condition, and
there might well be no asphated strips there az
all Riders who care for their wheels and for their
safety should give this street a wide berth.
Broken glass is TO be found everywhere. When
Colonel Warlng held sway broken glass was quickly
asked one of the white wings why the broken
glass was not removed. and the language he re-
ceiVed as an so vile that the wheelman
sent in a complaint to the head of the Street Clean
Ing Department.
While the automobile is gaining ground steadily
some Of the drivers or motormen the vehicles
have much to learn about the proper manner in
which 10 handle the machines. Many complaints
have been made against the motormen some OF
the vehicles. 1t has been noticed that many
OF the machines sticks out into the street at
angle OF forty-fve degrees. The curbs are APP
preached in this way to prevent the rear tires
from scratching against the curb when the motor
good reason why there should be much space left
between the wheels and the curb. 1t blocadeS
the street, and Is frequently an inconvenience TO
pedestrians. Automobiles can be turned when
curb, just as well and safely under the
present system.