The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-12-14

IsSs
There has never been time in
the history of cycling" says an old
rider who has clung to his wheel
luntil he now finds himself in fashion
again, when the lamp and bell
have been of as much Importance as
they are at the present day. 1t is
not only that you see dozens of
wheels where there were two or three
a few years ago. The wheel that
has no signal device is a greater
menace to pedestrians, than formerly,
and 1t has more elements of danger
to the rider This is because the
streets and roads are filed with au-
tomobiles, especially at the close of
the business day. when it is as dark
as 1t will be anytime in the night.
"The automobile driver is just as
anxious to get into collisions as the
bicy Gle rider, but that there have
not been more fatal accidents is on
ly maccer of good luck. The chat
feur is watching for lights with all
the alertness of river pilot, and he
only avoids dark objects by sort
of sub-consciousness. In much the
same fashion daylight pedestrians
give little heed to bicycle riders.
They appear to think that the BIZ
cycle is no longer to be feared or
else their minds are constantly filled
with the greater fear Of an automo-
bile.
During the last year the police au-
Ithorities everywhere have paid more
attention to the bell and lamp ordi-
nances, and in his they should have
not only willing obedience but hearty
support from every cyclist.
MIR. Ed IobdeM. of the Mutual
Rim Company, brought curiosity
from France recently in the shape Of
a pair of bicycle racing tires, which
weigh a fraction under five ounces
each They are made of single
thickness of an extremely durable
fabric, which, is covered or coated
with the least amount Of rubber
possible. However, Notwithstanding
their extreme thinness, the tires are
very tough, and it is, impossible to
pierce them with an ordinary pin.
ITO go with such tire" said Mr..
Lobdell, 1--WE make a rim that is an
excellent match. 1t Is built of thin
layers of tough wood, and weighs
less than twelve ounces. Just think
of It! A tire and rim combined
THAT weighs less than one pound.
"You know, of course" continued
mfr. Lobdell, "that France and all of
Europe for that materials lately
seen a great revival of interest in
cycling It might be better to say
a great increase in interest, as the
bicycle never has been slighed
abroad as it was in America for a
few years back A tremendous fac
tor in the popularity of the wheel
is the racing that is kept up all sea-
son long. You cannot leave Paris
flor a days automobiling without
encountering two or three sets Of rae
ling men. The roads in every direc-
ton are superb, and the authorities
are very liberal toward the racing
game. We send many rims abroad,
and as | go over each year myself,
| It is very easy for me to realize the
growth of the sport In all directions.
Just as an indication OF how racing
Is gaining popuarity, can tell you
that curing this season we have sent
to France alone fourteen thousand
pairs Of racing rims.
Perhaps the feature of the SIX
day race at Madison Square Garden,
so far as the couhry In general is
concerned, was the truly imposing
attendance, practically from the mo-
men when James j. Corbett's pistol
started the bunch of riders shortly
after midnight last Sunday. One fea-
thre of that evening--never seen be-
fore a six-day grind-was the tight
lid accompaniment which kept the
Immense crowds out OF the Garden
until twelve o'clock had been struck,
and New Yorks Blue Sunday was
officially over.
1he crowds on each night following
called to mind the enthusiasm shown
In the earlier years, when six-day
lgrinds were more OF novelty than
they are at present. The fact was
Noticeable, too, that the crowds. while
large. were generally orderly, indi-
eating clearly that the majority of
those present were attracted by the
purely sporting side OF the big annu-
al event.
Doubtless the youngest and tiniest
motorcycylist In the world, is a
French youngster named Clement
Marchand. He rides a single cyl
inder machine that is perfect re-