The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-01
HE HOLDS THE RECORD
Spends Vacation for the Past Eight
Years in the Saddle
and Enjoys
by William Philip Simms, Paris cor

ander M. Thackera will leave here
shortly on a six weeks cycle trip OF
some 1900 or 1900 miles, The Amer
lean consul general, recently trans
ferred from Berlin to Paris, is champ
ion bicycle tourist Of the world, court
! and diplomatic circle category, while
Mrs. Thackara is a close second,
grown children Notwithstanding. Even
Third Assistant Secretary of State
Alvey Augustus Adoo, the only other
dystinguished bike-pushing states
man, is apparently outdone, for the
consul generals record on French
roads alone is over $1,000 miles.
For eight years the Thackaras were
stationed at Havre where Mr.. Thack-
ara was consul, and each of their va
cations was spent bicycle touring.
There are but two departments in all
France untracked by their wheels,
these being Brittany and Calais.
Those who see the Thackaras only
lat the brilliant state banquets and re-
ceptions Of official Paris, would not
recognize the distinguished couple in
the very plainly dressed bikers Of the
country roads. dusty and tired, but
happy. Tyrant Style sinks powerless
before them and solid comfort die
tates instead.
Before starting on the long ride
the Thackaras always map out their
itinerary in every detail. This they
adhere to religiously throughout the
trip, taking their own time, however,
in covering the distances. Experience
gained on many such outings has
taught them exactly how much they
can do comfortably and just what to
expect under any and all sorts of con-
ditions. Small cases attached to the
machines furnish storage room for
the necessary toilet articles and
tool kit contains all the necessaries
for repairing punctures and the like.
The consul general is an expert
bicycle repairer.
A days program is about as fol-
lows: Up at a. N. Breakfast at
some quaint country inn-they are
nearly all good in France, by the way.
Follows the morning ride along roads
always in splendid condition and
halt, wash-up, lunch, rest-all at an
other delightful inn where the host
is the cook and knows his Job alto
gether we'll. If the day be hot this
halt is proportionateIy long. the
afternoon ride coming IN the cool of
the day and through the magnificent
ly long twilights. Afterwards they
have dinner at a third inn, excellent
and picturesque as were the others.
Finally, after a stroll along the cool,
silent. shadowy, country road for a
breath of the fine air and glimpse
at the stars, they so early to bed and
ready, dreanless sleep. For during
the day they have covered some 35
to As miles. 1t is simple life! No
Trouville or Deauville the French
Newport. for them. No downy-cush-
toned l:mousines. No brilliantly light
ed bathrooms, midnight suppers COM
posed of indigestibles, or gambling
casinos at ultra-fashionable summer
resorts Their whole vacation is CIV
en- up-not occasionally, but every
year-to this mode Of life.
When we come back home.'' the
consul general told the United Press
correspondent, we are both ready
for work, I tell you. Nowadays most
cations leave a body less fit than
when he began 1t. We owe our good
bicycle tour No automobiles for us,
We both fairly delight in the bicycle
mode Of getting about, so why give
1t up? People wonder at us: they
seem to think it strange that we don't
tour in an automobile like everybody
else But we don't see a thing odd in
our way of taking vacation. It's
great. I'm going to get another
wheel, as Mrs. Thackara insists that
mine is a bit shabby"
He said this with precisely the
same air as another man in his posi-
ton might have said that his wife
insisted on a 1914 model automobile
The work which Mrs. Thackara
does would break most any other
woman down in a season. She heads
a dozen committees on various char
table and social works, leading in
all sorts of movements advancing the
interests of the American colony here
as well as attending official recep-
lions, banquets and balls and looking
after her own household which, as
soon as suitable house can be
found. Will be quite important in IT.
SELF For she Is not only the wife OF
the consul general at Paris but the
daughter of General William Tecum-
sch sherman, which fact brings its