New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03
IN THE CYCLING WORLD
RFJTNJON OF VETERAN WHEELMEN--
MR.. BALFOUR'S DREAM OF AN
IDEAL HIGHWAY - NOTES
AND COMMENTS.


A notable reunion was held some time ago at the
home of the New-York Athletic Club. Central
Park South. 1t was the first meeting IN many
years Of the Citizens Bicycle Club. the frst bicycle
club in the country to build its own house 1t was
organized in 1882. it's home was built in 1885, ana
I'm 1898 the club was absorbed by the New-Aork
Athletic Club At that time it had ll5 MEMBERS
ten OF whom have died within the last seven years.
Ffty-hve of these members sat down to dinner
on the occasion of the reunion. simeon foru was
POSTMASTER and among those present We're John
c. Culick, ex-president; George X Bio"eh' ooi-
lector of the Port and Elliott Mason The evening
was spent enjoyably by the members or the o."
club some of whom now getting on IN years.
but who. in the early days of the club, were wen
known for general liveliness and ability TO enjoy
themselves. The clubhouse of the Citizens Bicycle
Club was in West Fifty-seventh~st Its president
was the Rev. Thomas Mckee Brown better known
as Father Brown late rector of St. Mary the
Virgins Episcopal Church, in West Forty-hfth-st
The vice-president was George 7. Wilson Inc
secretary Judson T. Francis. ano me t ireas,
club trials of speed on the bicycle were unknown
all the members rode high wheels ana We're a and
dignity. in the days when mostly a toq in
long trips, made by a large turnout of the club
members. travelling at medium speed spec Elliott lott
nowadays in wheeling that there, was in the old
sneed and good fellowship and not rivalry. fur
nished the impetus for wheeling
For several years the officers of the League of
American Wheelmen in the District of Columbia
tried in vain to interest the wheelmen in the build
ing of cycle paths Last year Secretary Treasurer
Wood procured the assistance of several local
wheelmen and had committee good roads ap-
pointed TO investigate and report on the advisa-
billy of building a path from Washington to the
Great Falls, Maryland, distance of sixteen miles,
partly over the Conduit Road. which is mac
adam highway controlled by the War Department
and partly through rocky and wooded country
The committee first met in April and reported ia
vorably and recommended that the cost be raised
by subscriptions. The division sanctioned this
course, and circulars We're issued which resulted
one-quarter miles long was constructed of stone,
ia ana pace was built of stone M seven and eight
feet deep necessary account of its location next
the canal banks and the side of steep bluff.
Bowlders weighing twenty tons were blasted and
utilized in the construction, and to-day the Army
class in every Particular. The second section of
the path will be finished early in July.
Il heard of Mr.. Balfour's dream. which he men,
toned in the House of Commons recently of
great highways constructed for rapid motor traf-
fc," says enthusiastic wheelman who is also
member of the Automobile Club Mr. Bal
four made prophecy with which wheelmen
in full sympathy. We on the eve of changes
in locomotion of which but small concep-
ton can be formed at the present time. he said.
In these the cycle will play a large part, be-
be the cheapest form Of transit. and also IN many
ways the handiest; each man has his carriage
and takes his own route. Speeds will, of course.
be much greater than at present; the public will
safely travel much faster than less manageable
one; and that pace based on the average ca
1t is curious to reflect that motorists being
fined to-day for driving their cars on country roads
at fifteen miles an hour a speed no greater than
that of the old mail coaches; but nobody thought
though they were nothing like as comfortable as
mott car An @ al part Of the alter tic In
pedestrian. and within a few years time those who
ments wiz recognize that they have been wiser
in their attitude TO cycles and motor cars than
their forefathers were to railways"
The two alterations in the conditions for the
Bordeaux-Paris race-namely, only human pacing
and the postponement of the dates to July and 10
still causing dissatisfaction in many quarters
especially among those riders who had secured
the best motors for this business. On the other
ton as to pacing and argue that it will give ali an
equal chance. and be a real test of stamina and
ject of the race being instituted. Englands repre-
alteration as some Of his best performances have
been almost unaided. Rivierre. triple winner un-
again competing.
The free wheel or coaster brake made its ap-
pearance the racing path recently in England at
the first of the Midland Cycling and Athletic Club
evening meetings The competitors
ed from the top OF the straight and ceased pedallng
the judges stand, the prizes being awarded for
the longest distance with the wheel going
free. This novel contest is instructive in showing
how far the momentum acquired in a moderate
will carry n bicycle on the fiat without further
exertion. Baxter, making the record for contest
under such conditions, 467 yards and the
erage distance for the other leading riders exceed
ed quarter of mile. Both the track and the per
formers exceptional. but the results show the
perfection to which the releasing arrangements OF
the clutch have already been brought The contest
facture. TO whom this and other trials of the kind
should yield some valuable data.
The freshly watered street is bugbear to the
wheelman. True the dust is laid. but there is a
chance unless he be particularly wary, Of the
rider being LAID Care should be taken in riding
over greasy bit Of road. Many people growing
nervous, grip the handlebars fercely. This is a
mistake 1t stffens the position OF the front wheel
so that it cannot act easily. If you hold the han
dlebars lightly when going slippery ground
and rather favor the nclnatton of the front wheel
tEan resist 1t. You Will md that the tendency to
sidesp almost disappears This is OF those
things easily understood. but rather difficult to ex-
plain Try it This is advice given by veteran
who ought to know what he is talking about
The committee IN charge Of the spring century
Of the New-York State Division OF the Century
Road Club announces that entries for the run to-
day will be received the start. that all who
desire may take part. The committee will be at the
start at Bedford Rest Brooklyn. from 500 to $50
a m. take late entries Four divisions. three
regular, to ride at twelve mile hour pace
and one fast division, at sixteen miles an hour
now filled with hundred riders each. and
other divisions will he added if necessary although
those who apply in time will be assigned to divs-
ions already established.
Some people consider 1t lazy way to mount
bicycle from the curbstone. and rather unidentified
TO hop along the road on foot with the other
on the step. The best way to mount in the opinion
Of experts, is TO hold the handebars easily walk