New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-11
IN THE CYCLING WORLD.
CONVENTION OF LEAGUE OF AMERICAN
WHEELMEN.
WHAT is TO BECOME OF PROFESSIONAL RACING
TO KLoNDIKE ON BICYCLE-THE
COASTER BRAKE.

Wheelmen throughout the country will watch
with interest the outcome of the annual conven-
ton of the League Of American Wheelmen, which
is to be held at Philadelphia beginning next
Wednesday, and probably continuing until the fol-
lowing Saturday. Some people are of the opinion
that crisis has arrived in the affairs of the
ganzation, and that the the head should
make decisive moves until they of
their ground. The real trouble with the organiza-
ton is that many of the veteran oficeholders are
in a "rzt,' so to speak They seem to have for
gotten the old adage DE WORT do move" and in
consequence they carrying the work in
their departments in which would have
been entirely satisfactory few years ago, but
which is hardly the of work required
increase the membership and power Of the organ
ization. The above is not written in critical
a fault finding sense, for everybody who rides
wheel recognizes the good the League has done
for wheeling Many of the thoughtful members
of the opinion that what is needed in the organ
ization is young blood, with new ideas and pro-
The organization has suffered this last year as
much through internal dissensions among the
percentage of the officials want nothing to do with
been one of the best features of the league be-
cause through this department the organization
other way. 1t is also admitted that so long as the
League looked after racing the sport was was honest
this week whether it is the desire of the majority
nothing to do With the sport The majority are
nnd2ubttedY in favor Of cutting away forever from
the league realize that it would be foolhardy TO
amateurs need the guiding hand Of reputable
organization If the League of American Wheel
tirety the sport will receive a black eye from
way w. Sans. of Baltimore, is almost certain to
be elected president President keenan, has
work for the organization and deserves the recog-
milton.
An the ride of Oliver Lawson in the
Klondike district has just been received The
distance he travelled, from Dawson City to
Skaguay. about three hundred and twenty-four
miles, and while it is not possible to ride bicycle
all the way Lawson holds the record for making
the trip in the shortest time and his bicycle is said
to be the first wheel used for travel in that of
the world While making the trip Mr. Lawson did
the important and interesting work of measuring
every foot of the journey-save that over Lakes
La Barge and Bennett-with the cyclometer at
tached to his wheel, and gives the exact dis
lance between the principal points along the route
that will be travelled by thousands this winter
bound for Cape Nome Dawson, and by those
from the interior to the coast. He made the trip
in fourteen days, and believes from his experience
that once the lakes freeze and the trails become
worn and packed the time between Dawson and
Skaguay can be reduced TO from four to five days
thus making the wheel a factor in the Far North
travel.
Lawson left Dawson November %. which
day he bought copy of THE Klondike Sun pub
lshed in Dawson City November 2S thereby
proving the date of his departure. Lawson
accompanied part of the way by c. L. Downie
and c. D. Sanford, whom he overlook on the
trail, and they affirm that Lawson and his bicycle
hold the record despite the rumor that two others
covered the distance in ten days. Although Law
son did not ride all the distance from Dawson to
the coast, he covered great many miles the
silent steed. and many of them over the
bosom of the great Yukon. He carried twenty
five pounds of baggage, and when mounted had
that strapped to the handlebars A slight accident
to pedal all that the wheel suffered from the
long trip.
The first day from Dawson. Lawson rode five
and one-half hours. When not riding he pushed
the wheel along, always keeping the wheels touch
Ing the Qyclometer would perform it's function
Kirkman was made the second day and Selwyn
the third. Crossing the Government cutoff from
HoOtchikoo, Lawson walked the first twenty-four
forty-two miles. Traversing the railroad grade be-
tween White Horse and Caribou. he rode half the
way. The distances s measured by Lawson
spond closely with those of the measurements made
the interior travellers will follow they
herein produced, taken from the record
kept by him: Dawson TO Indian River % miles;
Sixty Mile 43 miles; Nine Mile Roadhouse -
mill, IS miles; 10 Kirkman steamboat slough)
100 $40 miles: to Tulare. 40 miles, to +. Road
house 1872 miles; TO Sewyn. l4S miles; to roadhouse
halfway between Sewyn and Selkirk. loo miles; to
2S miles TO No. Post. 25s 4-lO miles to foot of
La Barge, 324 4-l0 miles. The distance the
Dominion trail between Hootchikoo and the
foot of La Barge according to Lawson. Is 81 4-l0
miles. The distance from the head OF La Barge to
White Horse by his record is % miles. and from
White Horse Caribou &c miles. Lawson and his
wheel arc both In North Tonawanda, N Y.
Coaster brakes, and there many different
sorts, promise to be as popular here this year as