Evening star., 1931-06-21


portant.
IA /HEN the league met here in 1884, it was
wv the Capital Bicycle Club and the Wash
ington Bicycle Club that met the visitors at
the station and e-co-ted them to their re-
spective quarters, entertaining them throughout
their stay in the city. OF this The Star says:
1.-The Capital Club arranged a series of runs
for the visitors yesterday, which were greatly
enjoyed. At O'Clock in the morning MeSsrs.
Cressman and Church escorted party of IS
through the Soldiers Home grounds At 1890
Capt. Hansmann started long procession from
the club house bound for Cabin John Bridge.
There were 140 men in line About 20 were
Capital boys ana the remainder were delegations
from the Philadelphia Club, Seaside Club of
Norfolk, Alpha Club of Bethlehem, Pa; Key
stone Club of Pittsburgh: East Bridgewater,
Mass; New York Club and Marietta, Pa, Club;
Trojan Wheenrsn from Troy, N. Y, and Kings
County, N. Y, wheelrnen. In the afternoon a
party of rs was escorted O. 1O-mie
through the c.sy, and another Of about 25 to
Arlington. The visitors are loud in praise Of
our beautiful and smooth streets. A feature of
the league meet viii be parade of wheelmen
tonight through the streets, each rider carry
ing Chinese lantern.
Bicycles were stacked all around Fords
Opera House this morning, and natty-looking
young gentlemen in knee breecheS and short
jackets were in such numbers to make q
man in full-length trousers and coat-tails feel
as though he were out of style. The stage and
interior of the opera house were decorated with
T flags and shields private meeting of the
board of government was held in the gallery of
the theater before the public sessions opened"
The parade as announced was held, and the
torchlight procession which followed at night
was a glorious success, as were the races at
Athletic Park, Ninth and S streets northwest.
and the visitors enjoyed themselves much
that they were back here again in 1892
DY this time the women had become q consid-
- cradle factor in bicycle riding, were admitted
to membership in the L. A. w. and made a good
turnout wherever it met. An od1cial In speak
ing of the fair sex in attendance ut Washington
that year said: Il never saw SO many charm
ing ladies on cycles before" and the account
goes on to say THE ladies are here In large
numbers and they attracting . just share
Of attention and admiration. More than 100
ladies with their cycles are in the city from q
distance, and yesterday was spent in short runs
IN and about the city and the adjacent country"
Mrs William F. Smith, who claimed to be
the first woman to ride bicycle in the United
States, was much in evidence at this meet, and
what The Star said of her ut the time is
historic and interesting since the writer believes
the question of the first woman rider In the
District Is one that has never been satisfactorily
settled. Mrs. Smith certainly makes . good
case and The Star gave her good publicity.
It said:
r.
fngton bicycle dealer. shook hands with and
received the congratulations Of numerous wheel
men yesterday. She was the flrst lady to ride
. bicycle in the United States, and her first
wheel was made by her husband IN this city.
he being the patentee Being the first Of her
sex to muster up courage and appear ON the
road bike, she is the pioneer cyclist and
she distributed pioneer badges. Her badges
were different from all others, each one con-
tanning good likeness Of herself. The pictures
were ON pretty strips Of green silk and the
lettering on the badge gave . history Of her
wheeling. The badges were in greater demand
than most of the club emb1emS. and many
Wheelmen were willing to sacrifice half . dozen
other badges for one of them.
"T am old rider said Mrs. Smith, from
the fact that was among the first ladies in
the Capital who INDUCED in this sport for in
1881 I purchased a full-nickeled tricycle. for
the purpose of improving my health. I con-
tinued to ride this for several years. when
began to grow dissatisfied with it. constantly
heard my associates talking of the coming lady's
safety I should have in the near future and
this caused me almost to give up my cumber-
some tricycle.. Time flew rapidly, and it was
not long before got my promised bicycle but it
was some time before made active use of the
wheel-in fact did not take to riding through
the day until the wheel became quite familiar
to the public. In 1889 did considerable riding
ignoring all criticism
Mrs. Smith has been all over the United
States with her wheel and has been present at
more bicycle meets than any other Of the fair
ser. She considers that there is no other sport
50 enjoyable, fascinating and so essential to
health. Every lady in our age should have the
good judgment to invest In q wheel and Judge
for herself of the real pleasure she Is missing.
It hghtenS the trials and cares Of life, Sustains
health and beauty and saves time and money"
THE woman riders were we'll taken care of OF
u this time and there was nothing left undone