New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-13


trip of forty-fve miles in three hours Coming Ing
back he had the wind in his teeth. and IT took SIX
hours for him TO ride back TO Bedford Rest the
dinner given by wheelmen in Brooklyn last night.
and finished up the century on his ride BACK 10 MS
Mr. Pitman's cycling days began in 1877. and he
s aaS oee won the first bicycle race held in this
country. Brockton. Mass. winning three heats IN
League of American wheelmen. being one Of the
twenty-five charter } Wsr and he looks as
hale and hearty as he did twenty years ago
Whether or woman rider may with pro-
priety take part in coasting contest was sub
iect which greatly exercised the last meeting or
the Metropole Cycling Club The question was
raised by the application of a wheelwoman Tor an
entry blank for the clubs coasting contest in
Boulevard Lafayette on May 10 Mr. Ibheken.
chairman of the committee. of No 127 West One
hundred twenty -fourth-st-. to whom the apph-
cation made. asked for instructions regarding
such entries and personally expressed himself as
favoring them. Opposition promptly manifested
itself and for half an hour the discussion was
spirited. The opposition based its objections on the
ground that women competitors would give rise to
ment nrdvoked by the female scorchers century
runs The other side maintained that TO open the
sport. free from exertion unpleasant spectacles or
results and which with the coaster o 6coronsIv
This side also raised the point that there could ne
nothing unladylike about a coastng con
test than there is about horse show. riding 70
hounds a golf a tennis match. IN eaCh OF
which women take part without OFFENDING soou
taste or public opinion.
After WraRs the B Tes W9 Sarred fff from
competing with the men. but if sufficient number
MIR Ibbeken and his committee were authorized TO
nrg T l' bn offered At the same meeting seven
new members were elected. bringing the MEMBER
was also appointed which will report the feasibility
of conducting the opening race meet at Manhattan
Beach on a large scale
A rider who kept a record of the weather for six
months last year from cyclists point of view.
found some interesting results. The basis of COM
parison was divided into three condtions-good
days. average days and days on which rain fell
continuously The day which no rain fell was
ranked as good" and by average is meant days
on which there showers. but not heavy enough
10 keep wheelmen from riding. 1t happened that
there showers on five Wednesdays in May
last year. yet of the showers made the
roads impossible for bicycles April was the worst
month of the year. having fourteen bad days, and
June the best with twenty-six good lays and
four average days considering Cniy good days;
Friday the worst with only thirteen good
brought up somewhat by us number OF average
days-seven. With ten bad days and only three
list In good days Sunday was second. while Mon
In average days. Wednesday Friday and Saturday
were equal as were Sunday and Thursday Mon
Combining good and average DAYS. Thursday was
the best with s. per cent while under the same
rule Monday last. with 63 per cent
With improved weather conditions. the proba-
bility increases that the interest in bicycling
pleasure will this year approach oldtime proper
lions. The crowds of two or three weeks ago. with
the weather still rather cool. promise greater
crowds in the future. After year of rest there
will be a return to old pleasures by riders who be-
tired of the pastme. Those who rested last
will be the enthusiasts of this season. The
work of road Improvement has been kept up. and
New-York has a greater variety OF good roads
clCse at hand than ever before. There is no sub
urban village without good roads 1t is already
evident that touring will be INDUCED in to large
extent this year. 1t is in touring that the bicycle
is useful to the city The national
bicycle organizations of France and England have
made touring popular for many years; and the
proposed trip OF New-York members of the League
of American Wheemen to Atlantic City. at the
time of leagues rational gathering. Is already
arousing interest among wheelmen here who have
made extended trips.
Enthusiasm for the bicycle ia found this year in
places where 1t is likely to do the most good Any
one who visits John F. Clark secretary-treasurer
of the New-York division. Will not leave hEl with
hearing some Of his good humor. caused by the