The Saint Paul globe., 1900-03-27
LOCAL CYCLE NOTES.

LOCAL CYCLE NOTES.
Ihe following is paper and poem writ
ten by A II. Moore and read at the last
meeting of the Century Road club:
REFLECTIONS OF BICYCLE CRANK.
The term crank" when applied to
person, ordinarily means one whose oDin-
ions do not agree with our own-one
whose enthusiasm we do not share or
appreciate. When used by non-com-
pretending public and applied to a de-
voted cycliSt. it doesn't mean anything
more than weak attempt at ridicule
When used by experienced riders in ref
eremce er @ 10 feiIoW devotees, it is a term
OIL respect. To be a frst-class crank on
any subject one must possess an un-
usual amount of stamina. There Is a
marked difference between the true
crank and the luke warm would j"
Ihe farmer has the courage of his or
her convlctions-the consciousness of SUI
periority bred of constant devotion and
untiring zeal; the latter a f-laudatory
and weak-kneed emulator of an envied
superior. The bicycle crank is the fin
ished product of long term of more
OF physical and mental development that
has made him capable of enjoying the
sport IN manner that would be punish
ment to those not fitted by similar self
denial and preparation to withstand the
rigors of country road riding One of
the most strongly developed points In the
IL,
requiring, as 1t does, a great degree of
resolution on the part of all who would
become real crankS. The habits to be
cultivated and qualities to be developed
are: First, emperance-temperance in all
things that pertain to the physical well
fare of the man, for the morals and IN
tellect are influenced by the physical
condition, and vice versa; second, un-
tir1ng perseverance in cultivating the
bodily resources; and third. and not the
least in Importance, nerve-nerye to bear
feaf
seem to tax every fiber. With these
three points well developed and a thor
ough understanding of his capabilities,
the crank is in a fair way to enjoy
in the fullest degree the manifest joys
of cycling.
The ideal crank Is also an evolutionist
1t is not enough that he should be up
to-date in his mount and dress but he
must have some understanding of me-
chanics and hygiene. He must also be
his own physician With h ' practical RI
the many minor ills to which he is at
all times liable, such as aches, pains,
strains and bruises. He is essentially
public-spirited, and more or less of
politician, interesting himself in pro-
noting street and road Improvement,
path building, etc, and helping to Sc
fellow cranks. While. as rule. the
modern crank is the same who, decade
ago. was pointed to a freak as he
wended his toilsome way along the al
most impossible country roads mounted
upon the treacherous and awe-inspiring
Ordinary" he is no longer exclusive, be-
cause modern invention has happily made
it possible for the harder Of the gentler
sex to enter his class.
The crank Is necessarily a social being.
prejudiced opinion to the contrary not
withstanding He is fond of Fellowship
with his kind, and is. by virtue of his
broad scope of experience, a lover of ma
ture and a critical observer of all things
interesting therein. The beauties Of the
woodland, field and stream, the songs Of
birds, the lowing of herds and Whistled
tunes Of the rural swain appeal to his
been aesthetic senses as to those of the
poet or artist. The poet who wrote OF
the sermons in stones, books In trees
and songs in the running brooks was not
a cycliSt. or he would have discovered
all these things and many more embod-
led in the wheel.
The wheel. then, Is potent engine for
spirits, good muscles, good morals good
fellowship, and, good heavens! its virtues
are beyond compute.
A poem, dedicated to the century girl,
with apologies:
If you were wheeling up the road
And I were wheeling down,
And l should smile into your eyes,
OF course you ought to frown;
You ought to frown and look away
And pass me quick as thought
But suppose you didn't do
Precisely what you ought
And then, suppose when scores of times,
We'd smiled and passed that way,
Your tire should perchance go fat,
Just as we met one day;
l ought to fix it and depart,
Not linger there to court
But just suppose I didn't do
Precisely what 1 ought.
And, after we were well acquainted,
And loved to meet like this,
Suppose your lips so tempted me,
/ touched them with a kiss;
OF course you ought to cry. and let
My pleadings go for naught-
But Just suppose you didn't do
Precisely what you ought
Perhaps sometime we'll really meet
Along some country way,
And ! shall know you are the girl
I've dreamed of night and day:
Then, if you'll just forget to do
Some things you ought to do,
I'll do my very best to make
This little poem true.
The Minnesota division of the Century
Road club has added twenty-four new
members to its roster, and the season has
hardly opened. It's membership is COM
posed of the finest class of cyclists in the
Twin Cities, including all of the speedy
boys, as well as road riders. The Mime
sofa division offers more inducements to
its members in the way of medals and
prizes than any division in the country.
Twelve medals have been hung up already
this season. and the Eclipse Bicycle COM
pany, of Elmira, n. Y, have offered a
coaster brake to the member of the club
making the highest mileage each week
In April and May, and for the greatest
number of centuries during June 1t was
decided at the last meeting that as soon
as a member wins one of the coaster
brakes he drops out of the competition,
thereby giving the other members a
chance. 1t will be very exciting and