The sun., 1899-03-29
NEWS OF THE WHEELMEN.
GAIN IN MEMBERSHIP CAUSES RE-
JOGGING IN THE LEIGUF.
Nearly Two Thousand New Names Enrolled
within n Week-ScRroity of Chainless
Wheels at the Cycle Show-Talk of Cranks

Nearly Two Thousand New Names Enrolled
within n Week-ScRrcity of Chainless
Wheels at the Cycle Show-Talk of Cranks
and Gears-The state Meet Mt Patchogue.
Rejoicing was loud at the headquarters OF the
New York State division Of the J.. A. W. yester-
day because. following upon tho action OF sew
eral prominent riders In returning to the
League fold. the weekly report on membership
from Secretary Bassett in Boston showed that
there had been a general gain all along the
line. This gain is bit early to be charged to
the renewals OF those whose mem berships ex-
pire on April J. as there are thirty days OF grace
allowed and the majority take advantage OF 1t
more or less; besides the figures of the Secre-
tary's report show that the number of now
members is large. The opponents in rae
ing matters OF tho l.. A. W. have
been in the habit OF making much
capital Of the fact every time the League
figures denoted any falling of from those of
the big boom year OF 1897. and It has been pre-
dicted by the outlaws" " that the healthy old
organization was going into decline. but the
officials OF the League hope that this weeks
report will act as a check on the calamity
howlcrs. The total gain since last week is
1884. and all the leading divisions show a
CORRESPONDING improvement. The total OF the
organization this week is 1857. while last
bership figures in the leading divisions for
both weeks in order that the gains may be
plainly noted
New York-IRst week. 1920: this week, l6 s8<.
Pennsy sylvania-Last week. l6,037; this week. 1928.
Massachusetts-Lastw week. IT, 1O4; this week. l2544.
New Jersey-Last week. A.so6; this week. 4 s72.
1t Is noticeable at the show OF the cycle
retailers at the Grand Central Palace that It
contrasts strongly with the late exhibition Of
| hn mn aEnrC Mt M ar in
respect that the manutacturers showed q great
number of chanless wheels. 50 many as to
a great year for bowel gears and others
| that dispense, with the chain. while at the
Il 9 Psn be Fl 'h traae
! explanation Of this is that the demand for the
! chanilcss has exceeded the gear-cuttlng facili-
I ties Of The makers: It is true that the retailers
! generally are compl aiming that they cannot
get the chainless models fast enough. The re-
manufacturers that reaction from last years
II eE Of he Snd tsat fade
| lengths and gears Most riders are accepting
| the longer cranks offered as regular equipment
| by the makers under the impression that there
would be popular demand. A few show a
tendency to go to extremes. but there Is no
| cranks as is now raging in England American
| riders as they run ~ the Grand Central Palace
nst to Smay anG cDrs msfs
the retail stocks show that there has
been, slight increase over last year
ing t" he temperate is i also Indicated hy tho
! comparatyoiy small cali for wheels Gcared
! lures at the show is a wheel rugged up TO bur
| lesGue the excessively big sprocKet and high
Of MSSh is 1t brb hn 9Ps fRt DT"Ss tDD Exit h
when the right hand side of j is presented it
seems to b" all sprocket. II it had an ordinary
+" I"' 373. but rs as 1T it is is riEged M with a
rear srrocket Of about twenty teeth the gear is.
when it IS ridden around the floor by boy.
| who makes no special cSertion. and whose
2 WSo sn onaH 9st m GS " "2n ron
sprorket only. II is at the discovery Of the big
rear sprocket that the laugh comes in.
There, is still Q great deal of complaint made
bike COPS to give adequate service. The
| sIuad consists Of twenty-five men in COM
mand Of n rQundsman. \ great many impor-
tant thorouGhfares are neglected. with the
| tions Of road ordinances by both horsemcn and
cyclists. \ wheclman. who has been promi-
ncnt among Brooklyn riders for long time.
a large part Of Eastern, Parkway. Of Bush
and rat
more than two men apiece OH them, whereas
| there, SHOULD be four or six. Such wcll;trnyi;
] boulevard, Fort Hamilton avenue and Lewis
| avenue are entirely neglected. The only way
| large the slund and give it II central station
| the same IA the New York squad has"
At the quarterly meeting o! the New York
| State Division Board OF Officers. the formal
| award Of the State meet was made to PatchoGue.
| Chief Consul Milo NJ. Beding says that there
| will be no races this year. although heretofore
most important feature II the local wheel
| men ARRANGE to hold races at the same time
| they will not he recognized as n part Of the Of
| nclal occasion. he said. This stand emphasizes
! the feeling between the state and rational
B officers of the League Belongs attitude is
| pooh- oDhed by the state representatives. ol
! the Racing Board. who say that a sanction has
. been issued for races at HatchOguo on June ~.
! % and - in conjunction with the official meet
| ing.
Private Trial Races for the Shamrock.
| cpccid, Cab, Despateh 70 The SUS.
! LONDON. March 2S-Sr Thomas Iipton has
| decided not to enter his new racing cutter
! Shamrock in trial races involving declaration