Evening Star Newspaper, May 22, 1897, Page 23

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, MAY 22, 189794 PAGES. According to the forecast of the weather slight rains are predicted for tomorrow. Last Sunday the weather was propitious in all respects for cycling. The light wind which prevailed the greater part of the day was just sufficient to keep the riders from becoming overheated. An unusually large number of cyclists were out on the roads. Maying parties were numerous and the hunt for the pretty wild flowers seemed to have particular fascination for the riders of the fair sex. The congested condition of the Conduit road will hardly be relieved in the future. It seems as though all the riders in the District flock to this particular highway. Their large number, together with the number of vehicles that use the highway, crowd it, making it, especially Sundays, as bad as any of the streets in the city. The state of affairs would not be.so bad wer it not for the scorchers and “road hog: who want to monopelize everything to-the detriment and danger of the pleasure rid- It is understood that the entire police squad of the city have been ordered on the Conduit road for duty tomorrow. ney will endeavor to suppress the scorch- ers, and in this laudable undertaking they will have the support of the largest num- her of riders for pleasure purposes only. | The arrest of a dozen or more sorchers would have a salutary effect, and doubt- less put a stop to the practice for a week or so ac rt. In this connection an amusing story is told of an occurrence that happened last Sunday. There were several tandems com- ing down the road at an eighteen-mile-an- hour gait, when one of the mounted mem- | bers of the county police force called upon them to slacken their speed. Just as the sorchers passed by the policeman he heard one of the riders urge the others to keep en, tellirg them that the cop would never be able to catch them. In_this the riders were sadly mistaken. The policeman quickly jumped on his horse, and in an in- stant was after the two tandem teams. With a Wo yards start of him the police- man caught the men inside of 300 yards, and fearing the result the riders of both tandems ran their machine over in a ditch, fortunately escaping injury. They were a ery humble and penitent set, and, after erable pleading, were allowed to go. | cording to the policeman’s theory he can -rtake any sorcher on the road. 7 1 cover a mile in something like 2.50, | he, while he would not use a horse | which could not run the distance in two | minutes or under, for cases of emergenc The other members of the mounted county police force are equally well mounted. The racing season opens this afternoon at the International Athletic Park. The meet of last Saturday was not run off on account of the extremely heavy condition of the track. The clear weather of the week has had the effect of drying the track a out r and with good rolling it was in fine condition Thursday afternoon. Should the weather hold good the races of this afternoon will prove decidedly interesting. | ‘The five races on the program, especially the two professional events, promise to re- sult in some lively compeiition. The big Decoration day meet is oniy a few days over a week off, and all the local riders arc working hard to carry off some of the honors of the meet. Claub Runs for the Week. League of American Wheelmen, Wednes- y evening for Chevy Chase. Start from Klin Square, 13th and K streets, at | Cycle Club, tomorrow, for Ash- | Start at 9 a.m, from 1420 New York ton. avenue Washington Read Club, tomorrow, for Latrel, Md. Start at 9 a.m. from club treet. Athletic Club, tomorrow, for | bridge. Start at 10 a.m from . G street near 17th street. cle Club, tomorrow, for Dickey’s alls. Start from 700 Massachu- the club ho Rialto ¢ at at G setfs avenue northeast at 8 a.m. ab, rroli Institute Cycle € Cabin John bridge. rt hi . Wth street near K. n Rod Pleasure Club, tomorrow, for . Start at 9 a.m. from 64 C street GC tomorrow, p.m. from yele Infantry, tomorrow, practice signal march to Fort de Russey. Start 7 armory. ton Wheelmen, tomorrow, for Oc- Va. Start at 9 a.m. from 9th street and Pennsylvania avenue. Queer Wheelmen, tomorrow, for Spar Ath- letic Club. Start at 9 a.m. from club house, 1025 12th street. Century Cycle Clab. The run of the Centurions last Sunday wis scheduled for Bull Run, but it was de- cided Friday evening to make a century run to Baltimore for as many members who cared to make the trip, the club hav- ing jrst completed one century, a few weeks ago, and one is made up for the latter rart of this month, making three Jong runs almost within a month. This fact kept some of the boys at home, but Capt. Byrnes tock out Messrs. Hourigan, We :son. Barnhartt, Richard Posey, Williams and Mul- * club members were met at the y House, near Baltimore, by some of riders of the monumental city, and © taken out on the shell road to com- first half of the century. All of joys had a most agreeable ume, ‘clock in the afternoor the start for home. The club returned evern road and the tracks of the ja railroad, which was found lightfal riding, and much lost time ent that happened | rest to wheelmen, | nition shown by the Penn- | Capt. Byrnes and A. E. ar treasurer of the Cen- | riding a little in the rear of en Byrnes broke ais chain. le to repair it, and the to walk to Bowie sta- Upon arriving there they found that last’ accommodation train had gone, the and the only train that would pass was a fast from New York, which would o:34. Capt. Byrnes sent a tele- gram to the superintendent of the road at Wilmingson, De explaining matters, and orders were given at Baltimore to have the train stop at Bowie to pick up the cy- ell ‘hi was done. This act of cotr- e part of the railroad Was great- ted by the Century boys and will orgotten in a hurry. Both Byrnes Weesner had finished the 10 miles and when the acciden: happened. ‘The balance vers finished in go0d time dnd pe, and put in 120 miles in his run was not a regular led 'y. but was ordered by the vap- tain, and under the rules of the club mem- bers can put in as many miles as possible in the day’s run. The next run of the club will be to Ash- n hours. sixte ; existence. After the regular business meet- ton, starting tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock from the usual place. Galeska, O’Connor end Wright, the three meinbers ‘of the racing team of the club, will go ia training this week for coming meets. The organization contemplates having a club handicap race in the near future, pos- sibly for ten miles or more. Some action wiil be taken at the next meeting of the club on the matter. All riders are invited to join the club in the various runs. Rialto Cycle Club. The Rialto Cycle Club had a delightful ride to Cabin John bridge last Friday evening, in which most of the members participated. A “stag party’’ made the run to Dickey’s last Sunday, which was also well attended. On account of the in- clement weather on the regular meeting evening, Wednesday, the run as scheduled was not made, but, instead, postponed to Friday evening. A’ run is scheduled for Dickey’s Sunday morning, in which the young lady members of the club will par- tectpate. The run will start from No. 700 Massachusetts avenue northeast promptly @t & o'clock. Columbia Athletic Club. The EELMEN lumbia Athletic Club will be made next week. The riders will leave the city next Saturday afternoon at 2:20 o'clock, and calculate reaching Staunton shortly after 7 o'clock in the evening, where the night will be spent. After an early breakfast the real start will be made at 8 o'clock Sun- day morning, May 30. Harrisonburg, twenty-six miles away, will be the fore- noon ren, and a stop will be made there for dinner, the party in the afternoon pro- ceeding as far as New Market, where the night will be spent. The run Monday will be through various small valley towrs to Winchester, the total riding for the day being less than fifty miles. When it is taken into consideration that the fall of the land is in the direction the party will take, and the fact that the valley pike is one of the best roads in the country, it will be seen that the schedule is an easy one. The party will return from Winches- ter by rail. The run of the club last Sunday was to Baltimore, and it was hoped to make it the banner run of the month. The riders left the city im the forenoon, and after several hours irely riding reached Ash- ton, where dinner was served. The ride was then resumed, and continued on to Baltimore, which was reached late in the afternvon. After spending several hours in the city the riders returned home by rail. Light Infantry Cycle Club. A bicycle club has been formed from among the ranks of the Washington Light Infantry. There are a large riumber of eyeligts in the organization, and the pro- ject of forming a cycling club has been talked of considerably. A run was taken by about twenty of the members last Sun- day morning to Cycle Cottage, where the organization was formed and made perma- nent. Officers were elected as follow: President, Capt. C. M. Shreeve: vice pres! dent, Lieut. E. W. Zea: secretary-treas- urer and captain, Lieut. S. Porter House; first lieutenant, Corp. Harry Lee: second lieutenant, Corp. George W. Sneden. The list of members is expected to reach over the half hundred mark. Carroll Institate Cycle Club. The members of the Carroll Institute or- ganized a bicycle club last Monday evening. The organization was made permanent by the election of the following officers: Cap- tain, Prof. M. A. Joyce; Meutenant, M. J. Gorman; secretary, J. G. Beckley. The schedule committee, composed of J. T. Daly, G. J. McCloskey, H. Phillips, F. D. Ellsworth, E. J. Brady and E. J. Morlarity, are busy arranging runs and good sport can be expected during the season. The first run will be made Sunday, to Cabin John bridge, starting at 2:30 o'clock from the club house, on 10th street near K street. Great enthusiasm prevails, and from the present outlook the ciub will be ene of the largest in the eity. The next meeting will be held Monday evening at 8 o'clock, in the trophy room of the Carroll Institute, when new members will be enrolled. G m Rod Pleasure Club. The Golden Rod Pleasure Club has a cycle club which is known as the Goiden Rod Wheelmen, and which was organized February 17 of this year. The cycle club has made a large number of runs since its ing of the club, held last Wednesday even- irg, an impromptu musical program was rendered, after which the riders took a run to Cycle Cottage, returning home at a late hour. ‘The officers of the club have been elected as follows: Captain, C. C. Willard; first Neutenant, Oscar Krumke; second lieuten- M. L. Fox. The club will take a run lay from their headquarters, 64 C strect northwest, at 9 a.m., for a twenty- mile spin to Marlboro’. The following runs have been scheduled tain Willard for the month of June: pne 2, to Cabin John briage; June 6, to Falls Church; June 9, to Cycle Cottage; June to Alexandria; June 16, to Chevy Chase lake; June 20, to River View; June 23. to Bladensburg; June 27, to Laurel; June 30, to Suitland Park. The midweek runs all start at 9:30 a.m., from the head- quarters, while the Sunday runs start at 9 am. Miles Cycle Infantry. The Miles Cycle Infantry will go on a signaling trip tomorrow morning for Fort de Kussey. The start will be made at 7 o'clock in the morning, and preparations will be made for a hard day's work. For the past several months the company has been working hard on signal tactics. First Sergt. Gibson, who has been con- nected with the company for several years, has resigned his rank and membership. Corp. J. D. Eggleston went before the bri- gade board Wednesday evening to take the examination, he being the candidate for the rank of sécond lieutenant. The command is getting In shape for the annul camping out trip, which will he taken this season as usual. The indications are that the turnout will be larger than ever. a Washington Road Club. Eight members of the Washington Road Club, under Capt. Joe Prince, took the trip to Brandywine last Sunday, and spent a very enjoyable day. The run of the club tomorrow is to Laurel, starting at the club house at the usual hour. It is expected that the new club uniform will arrive some time next week, and the first club run in the natty suits will un- doubtedly be made during the week. The regular meeting of the club will be held next Wednesday evening at the club house, 1224 F street. Arlington Wheelmen. Capt. Potts carried twenty-two riders to Brandywine last Sunday. The trip to this place is very popular with the members of the club, as Dickey’s, at Great Falls, is to "| the majority of local wheelmen. The club run for tomorrow is to that old, quaint Virginia town of Occoquan. The riders will take particular care not to of- fend the sensitive nature of the inhabitants o* the place, having in mind the fate of the riders of the Capital Bi. Club last year, bles. a arrested for indecent exposure because they wore their sweaters out tneir knickerbockers pacer Catholic Club Cyclists. The newly organized cycling club of the Catholic Young Men’s Association of Gon- zaga College took a run out to the grounds of the Spa Athletic Club, near Bladens- burg, last Sunday and played a match game with the team representing the Queer Wheelmen. The Catholic boys were defeat- ed by ike score ef 12 to Ui, after a closely piayed game. No run has been called for today, though it is likely that Cabin John bridge will find mosi of the boys tomorrow morning. Queer Wheelmen. The Queer Wheelmen will take a run to- day to the grounds of the Spa Athletic Club, where they are scheduled to Dilay a match game with the team representing the Corcoran Cadets. The start will be made at 9 o'clock in the forenoon, and a good game can be looked for. Last Sunday the club defeated the Cath- olic Club cyclists in the forenoon, and in the afternoon took a spin to Cabin John bridge. mont Wheelmen, There has been jollification among the Altamont Wheelmen this week over the success of the two members entered in the bicycle races, each carrying the brown and green to victory. Tuesday afternoon at Columbia Field Fred Berger, jr., won the silver cup in the half-mile event of: the Friends’ Athletic Association field Sports, and came in a@ close second in the two- mile handicap, which was even a greater honor, considering the entries for the race. His performance in the handicap was a surprise to his friends, although they were confident of him winning the half mile. Mr. Berger has had very little training, but now feels encouraged to do some serious work next year. Shenandoah valley trip of the Co- The other star of the Altamonts in tne | racing line is G. Beverly Towles, who dis- Ungulshed himself Wednesday in the High School races. His victory in the mile race was very gratifying, when one considers the great number of entries, and the keen competition for a place on the representa- tive racing team, for which purpose the races were held. Mr. Towles was also third in the two-mile handicap, and the club may well feel proud of his showing, and can now hope to see the brown and green worn with the High School colors at races with the various college teams. Thy usual Sunday run of the club was well attended, and extended beyond Bla- densburg. There will be a regular meeting at the club rooms next Wednesday evening. Chain and Sprocket Club. At a meeting Tuesday evening the Chain end Sprocket Bicycle Club disbanded, and reorganized under the same name, with 2 limited membership of twenty-five and with the following officers: President, Charlies Jerman; vice president and press agent, F. A. Steele; captain, Wm. Bergman; first Heutenant, Wm. Eynon; second leutenan: B. Hinnant; secretary, Joseph Milani treasurer, C. E. Wakefie'd. A club run was called for Sunday, 2:30 p.m., for Chevy Ckase. PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS It was last July that Kimble joined the circult, while in Michigan. His success at first was phenomenal, but two months’ work played him out, and but for his train- ers he would have returned home. According to the report, Tom and Nat Butler, the speedy riders of Boston, will not stand a cent of expense for themselves, although they are aware that they stand an excellent chance of winning enough money when racing on their own hook. It was on this account that they did not join the southern circuit, not having been signed by any manufacturers. Tom Eck announces that he will send Earl Kiser, the star man of his team, against all short distance records this season. The only “question is whether his protege will be able to do this. Eddie Bald recently rode the fastest mile of this year at the Fountain Ferry tack, in competition with McKeon, Maya and Stewart. The distance was covered in 2:06. The only race that Frank Starbuck won on the southern circuit was the consola- tion event at Montgomery. While he has not as yet announced it, Dave Shafer, the trainer of Little Michael, intends sending his man for records of all sorts this year, extending up to the cen- tury mark. W. E. Becker, who a short time ago es- tablished an indoor five-mile reccrd at San Francisco, claims to have had a big sum offered him to start the ball rolling for Sunday races out on the coast, which he refused. He does not think that the re- bellion will amount to much. Tom Eck is now getting his Spalding racing team in condition at Hot Springs, Ark. Eck is a great believer in baths, and he thinks what his men are going through at Hot Springs will put them in fine con- dition for the campaign. Most of the work is now done on the road. Eck seems to think that the construction of a track at the place would be the only training point for early spring. A match race between Orlando Stevens and Frank Starbuck is now talked of. The series will be held on May 31, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Both men were formerly residents of Iowa. In winning the recent ten-mile race with Floyd McFarland, Little Michael estab- lished five other paced, competition, world's records, besides breaking the ten-mile world’s record. His records are as follows: Three miles, 5.54 2 six miles, 12.00 4-5; seven miles, 14:04 eight miles, 16.05 3-5; nine miles, 18.05 1-5, and ten miles, 12. Up to a short time ago the winnings of Jay Eaton, the indoor king, for this season alone, were $1,405, of which amount $550 was won at the Mardi Gras meet in New Orleans last February. Wallie Sanger has accepted the challenge of O. B. Hachenberger to ride an unpaced race at Denver, Col., June 20, the contest- ants to start from opposite sides of the track. A purse of $300 is offered by a Den- ver club, and each of the racers will post a similar amount. Sanger states that he will remain in Denver after the race until he lowers the world’s record for the un- paced mile, now held by Clint Coulter. The trainer of Little Michael offers to back his man against any rider in the world for any race above one mile and under the hour in which pacing will be permitted. Florence will train W. E. Becker this season, and he announces that his man 1s now in good shape, ready for a fast sea- son, and perfectly able to show his friends that he did not win the championship last season on a fluke. Eddie Bald left Louisville Tuesday, went to Buffalo on a visit to his parents. and will participate in the Manhattan Beach races this afternoon. He will race at Bos- ton on the 3ist instant. The trip to California by Starbuck was not a success, and neither was his work on the southern circuit, both failures be- ing due to a heavy cold contracted indoors. During the week Tom Eck sent a check for $100 to Chairman Mott, to cover his share of the damage awarded to the Port- land, Me., Cycle Club, through the failure of the trainer and John 8. Johnson to ap- pear at a meet for which the latter was entered. ‘The defeat of Owen Kimble in the match race with Eddie Bald was not a surprise to those who knew both men. The only wonder is that Kimble managed to win one of the heats. Louis Callahan of Buffalo, N. Y., 1s en- deavoring to arrange with an eastern man- ufacturer to duplicate Anderson’s per- formance behind a locomotive, the Buffalo rider agreeing to lower Anderson's great record of 1:0 made last summer. Callahan and Teddy Goodman of New York have been matched for a serles of races for a side bet of $250 each. A. J. Henley, a prominent wheelman of Kansas City, rode across the ties on tha railway bridge over the Missouri river recently. The bridge is half a mile long, and the undertaking extremely dangerous, but both wheel and wheelman came off successfully. ‘Tom Cooper in 1894 wobbled so badly, especially at the finish of a race, that ex- perts predicted he would never amount to much. It seems as though the experts were wrong. ee FOREIGN CYCLE NOTES Parisian girls go riding in silk brocades and hats of the horticultural hall kind, and when they are caught in a rain they suffer a damp collapse. But they pedal home, brush their knickerbockers, dry their hats and scon come out as fine as ever when the sun shines again. English professionals in bicycling are having a hard time this season in securing contracts to ride for wheel manufacturers, and those who get contracts seem to be getting very little money. An English cycling paper says: “A well-known rider who has recently Jumped suddenly into fame was offered twenty pounds a week for six months in Paris. This offer, however, he refused. On hts return to England, the best offer he could get was one pound per week. The racing men are finding it much more difficult to tix up this year, and sev- eral well-known world’s record holders are still open to any make of tire or machine. Some of the lesser lights have had to pur- chase their machines.” The Englishman awheel is usually ac- ceptable to French eyes, and there is no doubt that he knows as much about rigging himself for the bicycle as the male repre- sentative of cycling in any clime. He is a little better dressed than the average American cyclist, not affecting very much the style of the unquenchable dusty speci- men so well known in America. ‘At Sydenham, near London, Walters, the bicyclist, recently rode an hundred kilo- meters in 2:09:13 4-5, beating the record for the distance. He also broke the record for al! distances from fifty-four miles. One hundred kilometers are equal to sixty-two miles, 246 2-3 yards. Interest in cycle racing in Paris is slow- ly decreasing, and unless some great altera- tion takes place the large “gates,” of which the Parisians boast, will be greatly re- duced. That racing in Paris, as well as in London, bas been overdone of late there is no doubt. In almost every country now cy- cle racing: forms one of the chief sports, and thus a larger field is open for the pros, who are distributed in almost every part of the world. A bicycle highway woman is a new idea, yet recently two French ladies of rank. while walking along the Corniche road, were stopped by a cyclist in bloomers, who dismounted suddenly, produced a revolver, jing and required them to give up their purses, Jewelry and other valuables. This they did, and the robber matron, or maid, plac- ing the plunder in a handbag, mounted her wheel and swiftt off before the alarm cculd be given. Lesne, the noted French rider, who is now in Australig, has succeeded in estab- lishing a new set of records for that coun- try from the hajf mile to the hour figures. Martin, the American rider, held most of the records which were wiped out. The fol- lowing table shows Lesne’s figures, as well as those they supplant: . 54:08 57:20 200 yi , standing start. =1:00:00 is hour record held by Martin was only 25 miles and 380 yards. District of Columbia Division. One hundred dollars in cash has been offered in prizes by the League of Amer- ican Wheelmen for photographs of bad country roads. The pictures are to be used in the work of its national commitiee on highwey improvement, and are to be sent during this year to the chairman of this committee, Mr. Otto Dorner, Milwaukee, Wis. The competition for these prizes is not limited to members of the L. A. W., but is open to al! alike. The committee has set aside a first prize of $9, a second prize cf $25, a third prize of $15, a fourth of $19 and five prizes of $5 each. Prizes are to be awarded on single pictures, and no iwo prizes will be awarded to a single person, though it is expected that many of the competitors will submit a number of pho- tographs. The pictures desired are to snow the inconveniences and losses resulting frcm poor highways, especially to farmers. The League of American Wheelmen has published extensive Iterature on good roads, and the best of the pictures received under this prize competition are to be used in illustrating articles and pamphlets cn that subject. It is expected that members of the L. A. W. and wheelmen generally who are able to use the camera, whether amateurs or professionals in this line, will assist in this work by sending in pictures of bad roads, and incidentally taking part in the competition for these cash prizes. New Members, F. E, Fuller, Court of Claims; C. N. Mer- rlam, 1919 16th street; T. S. Palmer, De- pavtment of Agriculture: J. C. Brown, 7th and Rhode Island avenue; Richard Rice, 1114 Vermont avenve; Philip Mauro, F street; John ‘Taylor Arma, 810 F st Samuel A. Doury, 810 F street; Henry Bre- wood, 938 F street; Brainard’ H. Warner, 916 F street; H. Ward, 1331 F street; Edward W. Donn, jr.. 911 G street; C. Har- ry Claudy, 452 Pennsylvania avenue; Geo. McLane Wood, United States geological survey; F. Koss, 501 Florida avenue; Henry Farquhar, Department of Agricul- ture; Frank P.’ Reeside, 1003 F street; Ralph P. Barnard, 1008 F street; P. L. Small, 1405 G sireet; Mrs. Elizabeth E. Day, 1425 Euclid e; J. Walter Thomp- son, 1129 9th s northwest; Wm. M. Fling, Burnt Mis, Md.; A. N. Prentiss, 916 P street; Eugene W. Willard, 610 9th strect; Leo Baum, 1243, Gth street: Milton Baum, 1243 6th street; Joseph Abel, 404 Ist street northwest; Benj. G. Cowl, 802 F street northwest; Phil. Frtedlander, 9th and E streets; Guy N. Neeley, 11th and C streets southeast; A. HL Sefton, United States coast and geodetic survey; Chas, J. Butl Slater House; Ri M, Ellyson, M. D., 15 Sth street: R. B. Layton, 3219 6th street U. H. Ridenour, 911 F_ street; Saimon, 1638 15th street; B. Will, States coast suryey. C¥cle Laws. There exist in this clty and in almost every city In the United States separate laws for bicycles which are different from laws governing pther vehigles. ‘the League of American Wheelmen in- tend to lexislate for a uniformity of laws in the diiferent states, and have already started the ball rolling in the state of New York. The act just passed in that state is entitled an act to regulate the use of bi- cycles and similar vehicles and to require uniformity of ordinances affecting the same. The second section of the act provides that no city, town or village in the state of New York shall have the power to make laws respecting the use of cycles except as provided in the act, and it further pro- vides that the main part of the act applies to all vehicles and not exclusively to cycles, and regulations requiring lamps and alarm bells, {f made at all, must include all ve- hicles without discrimiration. It would be a good idea for the Commis- sioners of the District to require all ve- hicles to follow the same restrictions and require that the police who pay so much attention to cyclers should pay the same attention to regulalion-breaking teamsters and other users of the four-wheeled ve- hicle. A. M. United League Runs. Last Sunday's run was to Rockville, at- tended by fifteen members, in charge of Assistant Road Consul Reynolds. Wednesday's run was to Cabin John, in charge of Road Consul Leeke, attended by thirty-three members, including seven lady members. —_——>———_ WHEEL TALK. The bearings sometimes get clogged up with oll and dust, and if the machine is only occasionally used, they may get ab- solutely stuck. This state of things can be remedied, according to’an English rider, by injecting a little paraffin, which liquifies the thickened oi] and causes it to run out if the wheels are vigorously rotated for a short time. When, after repeated doses, the bearings appear to be clean they should be carefully reoiled with some suitable oil, and will, of course, be found much better for the operation. The wheels of a bicycle if the bearings are properly adjusted should spin freely and stop gradually with a rocking move- ment, yet have no side play. To test a wheel after adjusting, spin smartly, let- ling it run itself out, when the weight of the valve should stop the last almost com- plete revolution and cause the . heel to swing backward and forward until it stops with the valve at the bottom. Should it stop in any other position, then there is a tight place in the bearing which should be loosened slightly to-allow the balls to pass, otherwis2 one may jam and break. it Manufacturers ‘have found that any alter- ation in the mechanfsm of the wheel is a detertoration rather than an advance, and consequently, this year the trend is toward multiplicity of »ornamentation. For in- stance, this seagon ‘black frames are the exception ratner thdh the rule, and not only the frames,,'buf, the bells, tires and handle bars are ‘shown in almost every color of the raimbow. The handle grips, instead of being'tipped with hard rubber, have their ends” mdunted in silver fret work, and the lamps'dre repousse in varied patterns, while the bells are enameled in red, blue and green: Bells that will be sure to find favor with Miss Laziness, ring continuously by the revolution of the front wheel by simp! the thum| Peet, Ply holdifig bs against mn = One of the most:sommon mistakes made by the new rider, and, indeed, it is very often made by the old rider, is that of getting toohigha gear. Almost ever new rider is imbued with the idea that it is ab- solutely necessary that the wheel should cover the greatest distance with the ‘least number of revolutions of the pedals, for- getting in his ignorance that in doing this he is bound to increase the propulsive power in proportion. The old rider seems to think that each new mount necessarily Soars Peer gree in the ee a oe the at in cases they have as- sumed ridiculous dimensions, and then the proud owner of the latest model wonders why it pushes so much harder than the wheel he has just discarded. e manu- facturers unite in: saying that the demand for exceed! high gears-has been more Pronounced than ever before, while knowing full well the evils of the increas- gears, they readily accede to the wishes ‘\ 23 of their patrons, but strive to counteract the tendency by fitting the machine with extra large cranks, which virtually lowers the gear to what it was before, but with the increased disadvantage of a loss of power, through the excessive knee motion and the making of graceful pedaling an impossibility. ‘Trying to acquire the art of climbing hills is what is troubling a good many nov- ices at this season. That there is an art in so doing there is little doubt, but practice and muscle will do a great deal for the learner, much more than a few suggestions. If the following is kept In mind it will aid the rider to catch the knack of hill climb- ing. Little is gained by trying to rush a hill. It is well to get a good start, but it is better to so lay out the push that there will be a reserve force to send the wheel over the last rise, which is always the hardest. A good ankle motion, clawing the pedals around, past and over the dead center is a decided help. Throw the weight of the body well forward and pull up slightly on the handle bars. If the grade is very sharp try zigzagging,or weaving,up the hill; frequently this will give a needed rest on a long hill. Try to keep an even pace; avoid sudden strains. Last, but not least, sit squarely in the saddle. “Abuse of oil is an error,” says an old cyclist, “which probably nine cyclists out of ten fall into. In a bicycle bearing a single drop of ofl will go a great way to- ward forming the film between journal, bails and box necessary to keep the surface of these parts from coming into wearing contact. Ordinarily, the cyclist pumps his bearings fuli of oil. which runs out, covers the outside of the boxes and acts as dium for the accumulation of dust.” Bicycles are very much like other me- chanical things; when rightly used, they are very faithful servants, otherwise they are likely to go to rack and ruin. Wheel people are always talking about luck. So- and-so is a lucky rider; he never has a puncture, and his wheel is always right. Yet his riding mate has a hole in his tire every other day, and hardly a week goes by when he does not lose a spoke or two. The difference is all in the carefulness of the two. A good wheel not misused is strong; if wrongly ridden no wheel can be depend- ed upon. A watchful eye for sharp stones and broken glass, a horror of taking chances which may result in a trip to the repair shop. close attention to the tightness of nuts and pedals, make all the difference om - world between gogd luck and bad ck. In the matter of footwear it is evident that the average cyclist pays too little at- tention to his best interests. Last season thousands of riders pushed over the high- ways of the country with feet incased in the modish pointed-toed shoes which fashion dictated for ordinary street wear. However it may be for walking, nothing worse than the pointed shoe could be chosen for bicycling. The requirements of a perfect shoe for cycling are a substantial sole, plenty of room for the toes and lacing carried well down, to insure ease and a fit sufficiently close over the lcwer instep to counteract the natural tendency of the foot to work forward with the rider's downward thrusts on the pedal. No investment pays such high interest as the money paid for a bicycle. The aver- age rider, according to a new devotee, saves twenty cents a day in car fare, say five days a week for fifty weeks in the year, or a saving of $50; and if he owns a high- grade wheel he will have nothing to pay for repairs, thus obtaining a return of 50 per cent upon his original investment. Should he wish to obtain a new mount he can, if he has been careful of his wheel, sell it for half the price, which, with the $50 he has earned in car fares alone, will give him his year's riding for nothing. This is exclusive of doctors’ bills, or the various little expenses that go out for medi- cines during the year, railroad fares usu- ally expended for short pleasure trips and like expenditures. In the selection of repair kits, the cus- tomer is this year given a wider scope than ever before, and very unique ones have ap- peared, many of so handsome design that they tempt the eye of even those who are not wheel people. The tools themselves are in nearly all instances now fitted into a leather case, which does away with the rattling that has so long been an annoy- ance. On the outside of the kit itself my lady of means places a neat strip of silver, bearing her name and address. “The spoke manufacturers,” says a trade man, “are not a bit backward in admitting that bicycle makers are unnecessarily de- sirous of procuring a wire which will show a tensile strength far in excess of that to which a spoke fs ever subjected in actual use. It fs common to find many superin- tendents giving specifications for spokes which will break at about 1,200 pounds. The spoke makers say that a spoke which will resist a tensile strain of 900 pounds is sufficiently strong for all practical purposes in bicycle building. Still, preferring to be on the safe side, the majority of makers of high-grade bicycles insist upon spoking their wheels with stock which has a tensile Strength far in excess of that actually needed. There is a new style of underwear being brought forward, which, in its union type, is sure to prove popular with» cyclists. There are no buttons or tapes except at the neck, where each side opens sufficiently to admit of being drawn on in this manner. This does away with endless irritants in the shape of buttons to hurt at inoppor- tune moments, to say nothing of forever coming off. There is rothing makes a greater change in one’s appearance than a bicycle suit. To sit at the table at a country hotel and watch the riders come in, one would hard- ly be able to figure out that there sits a judge, there a banker and over there a minister. With the change of clothing they seem to have dropped much of their austerity or other marked manners, and are more as other people. Washing in the same basin and wiping on the same towel just outside the door seems to have made them all akin, and they are full of pleasant talk that they cannot restrain. Recollec- tions of all kinds come up, first of their boyhood days, finally drifting off to tales of the various trips they have taken. Many of these cover wide ranges of territory, and include hunting and fishing expedi- tions, which are positively fascinating. Then they all fiy off to foreign travel, and tell of scenes visited never to be guessed at by their present travel-stained dregs. Their conversation alone tells who they are, or perhaps some curious piece of jewelry. which stamps them as out of the ordinary. i gee THE RACING WORLD The prospects of cycle racing this season are bright—much better than those of last year, which witnessed a great revival of the sport. In fact, it may be stated that cycte racing in this city did not commence until last year, the birth being marked by the construction of the International Ath- letic Park. Prior to that time the cyclers were greatly handicapped by the lack of a suitable track, and’ as a result this branch of sport was not appreciated as it should be. Last year witnessed nearly twenty race meets, nearly six times the number ever held in any previous year. This year will witness a still better showing in this line of sport, and the public will be more fully educated in this respect. There is no doubt that cycle racing is a popular sport. Everybody likes to see struggle at the finish of a race. The it crease in the cycling fraternity gives an increase not only in the grand stand, but also on the track. More or less of the new converts have ambition for honors on the cycle SS me The city will this year enjoy a higher grade of cycle racing. The local men will not have the entire field to themselves, but there will be plenty of outside riders who will compete for honors. A sort of eastern clreult of races has.been arranged, in which the most prominent of-the local riders have entered, and while they will be away from the city half the time, they will on their return bring good racing men with This is one thing that is bound. to in- creasé the interest in the sport. There is nothing that the spectators like to see more than the defeat of some outside,man by a rider, and from indications the local men will have an abundance of opportuai- ties. One thing particularly noticeable will be the professional races in this city this year. Last year there was a scarcity of profes- sional racing men, there being in all but four or five members in that class in the town. One of the number, George E. Strat- ton, has since died. This year = appear to be reversed, and there ve will ben abundance of good last year remain in the old ranks, leaving pety of room for new men to come to the “ont. Fred Sims was the first of the local men to join the ranks of the pros, and he was followed by George Ball. On top of these, Nat Mudd announced his intention of join- ing the ranks. Billie Sims will undoubtedly go over before the season ends, and on top of this comes the announcement that Harry Greer and George E. Smith will undoubt- edly tura professional as a tandem team. There are also a good many who make the prediction that Schade will be in the pro- fessional ranks before the close of the year, but this appears to be an annual an- nouncement. In addition to these, John Lawson will train in this city, and prob- ably spend the greater part of the season in this vicinity, while Charlie Church, the speedy Philadelphian, is also making this place his training ground. Frank Waller, the flying Dutchman, is also expected to be in the city to train and ride. The an- nouncement made in this column last week that Lawson and Waller, as a tandem team, would challenge any team in the Dis- trict has created considerable talk. It is uncerstocd that the Sims boys will make a tandem team and accept the Challenge. Greer and Smith are also expected to take some notice of the same, and this fact may hasten them in turning professionals. In the amateur ranks there are not many men of any prominence. Paul von Boeck- man announces that he will ride as an amateur. E. L. Wilson, who showed up so well toward the close of last season, will also probably continue in the ranks. H. W. Clum ig also likely to remain an am: teur, as is also H. W. Hardister. J. Wal- ter Thompson may, perhaps, be seen on the track this season, though it is under- stcod that he will not do much training. Bayard Wrenn is also apt to stay with the bunch. Throop, the little East Wash- ington boy, is said to be a candidate for horors, and little Leo Voigt, the youngster who made such a creditable showing in the twenty-mile road race of the Washing- ton Road Club last year, is also slated for track work this season. ‘There are a num- ber of other names that might be men- tioned. From these and others a team of three will have to be picked to represent the city in the race for championship hon- ors with Baltimore. ‘The announcement conveyed in the press dispatches of the performance of Henry Smith of Baltimore, a member of the Mary- land Century Cycling Club, who, in a per- formance last Sunday, rode 314 miles in twenty-four hours, is’somewhat mislead- ing. Smith is given the credit of establish- ing an American twenty-four-hour road record, which is not the case. His course was on the shell road just east of Balti- more. In twelve hours he rode 170 mile: and at the end of twenty-four hours hi ridden 314 miles, His actual riding time was something over twenty hours. The performance of Smith does not equal the ride of E. ©. Yeatman, formerly a member of the Washington Road Club of this city, who was accidentally killed sev- eral years ago while hunting in Virginia. On the Conduit road course Yeatman rode 381% miles within the twenty-four, hours, clearly breaking the record held by John J. Fister, then of the Georgetown Cycle Club, who in an attempt a short time be- fore rode over 311 milcs in the time. In both cases neither of the riders had as much resting time as did Smith. The Bal- timore rider went against the Marylan twenty-four-hour read record, and he wi successful in breaking this by a good mar- gin. He also established a state road record for ten, twenty, fifty, 100 and 200 miles, but so far as breaking any national record is concerned, the reports are er- roneous. One thing that will be noticeable this year will be the large number of white enamel wheels that will be ridden at the local race meets, As one cyclist expressed it, there will probably be ten white wheeis te one of any other color, though this may be slightiy exaggerated. One thing is certain, however, and that is most of the prominent local racers wiil have white wheels as their mounts, all being employed by the same manufaciurers, who in news- paper parlance have made a scoop on the other deaiers. The state meet of the Maryland division of tle League of American Wheelmen will be held July 2, 3 and 5 at Frederick. As stated in The Star last week, a mail vote was taken of all of the members of the division, the result of which was an- nounced Thursday morning. Frederick re- ceived nearly all of the votes cast, and the honor of holding the meet was awarfled to the hustling and enterprising cyclists of that town and vicinity. The wheelmen of that vicinity can be relied upon for hoid- ing an excellent meet, in which many of ai riders will undoubtedly partici- fhe town wanted the meet of last year, iit after a strong fight Cambridge secure? the honors. The state meet of last year was not such a financial success as Was expected, though such will hardly be the case this y By an official order from Chairman Mott E. E. Clapp, formerly of this city, and ex- capiain of the Arlington Wheeimen, has been reinstated. The order was issued re- cently, and the many friends of the old Washingtonian were glad of the good news. Clapp’s father still resides in this city, though tae son is employed in Boston, Mass. The facts of the case leading up to the suspension of Ciapp are doubtless fa- miliar to a good many of the local riders, the matter having been published several times. Hé was suspended for two years and six months, tle date of the same end- ing May 1 of this year. There are a good many people in this city who firmly be- Neve that Clapp was not given a fair trial, his suspension being effected by George E. Gideon, who at the time was a member of the racing board, in charge of this dis- trict, H. E. Raymond being chairman of the racing board. On the day that Clapp's ‘suspension was announced he was at a race meet in Philadelphia and rode a magnifi- cent race, defeating Wallie Sanger and a number of other cracks. He was at the time a speedy rider, and gave promise of developing into a fine racer. It is under- steod that during his suspension he has been riding, and will again appear on the track, though It is doubtful if he will follow the cycle path regularly. The Decoration day race meet at Balti- more will be heid Saturday, May 29, at the Electric Park. This will give the local riders an opportunity to compete in these events and return to this city and enter tne big meet of the cycle board of trade on Monday. There are in all five Traces on the program, which include a one- mile novice; half-mile open, professional: one-mile open, amateur; for club team champiouship; two-mile handicap, amateur, and hatf-mile open, amateur. The prizes for the professional race are: First, $50; second, $25; and third, $10. For the club team championship, the George N. Pierce trophy, vatued at $200. Counting this, the total value of the prize list is $408. A many of the local clubs have re- ceived entry blanks and ifvitations to par- ticipate in the sixth annual Martin road race over the famous Martin course near Baltimore, which will be run Saturday, May 29. It is for amateurs only, and is a handicap affair, AG. Batehelder, the offi- cial handicapper of the New York State League, performing the work. The race starts at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, tain~ or shiae, and the entrance fee is $2. t course is for twenty-five miles, and is one of the fastest in the country. Each year the time prize winners cut under, or come close to the record, and last year several, men went close to 1:07. The prize list in- cludes a $500 diamond for first time a Tribune racing tripiet for second prize and a $500 piano for the first place, besides a hundred other prizes of value. Bicycles are numerous on the list. The racing season of Philadelphia will open Saturday afternoon, May 29, at the Willow Grove track, entries closing May 22. Blanks can be obtained from O. 8. Bunnell, 27 South 6th street. This meet will introduce the first long distance race of the year, a twenty-five-mile handicap, for professionals, in which the prizes will be $100, $50, $25, $15, $10 and $5. There will also be a one-mile handicap, professional, the prizes of which will be §35, $25, $15 and $10. The amateur events will include a mile novice, a one-mile open and a mile handicap, and in the two last named events the prizes will value $25, $15, $10 and $5. ‘The track has been and general admission pavilion to seat an ‘ad- ditional 6,000 spectators has also been Sunday at San may % lowed to participat egies The Penn hold a race manager, ts quietly working out the detatis of his night races. They. will be given during July and August, and promise to be even better than usual. The Olympic Athletic Associat Athens, Delaware county, will cone ni climbing contest near Philadelphia loday, in which all the wheetmen of the locality of Philadelphia are invited to participate. The hill selected is not a very dificult one to climb, but as the winner Is to get to the top ahead of all competitors it is going to be a question of skill and strength, of A style of gear will be permitted, and noth. ing will be put in the requirements for contesting that will bar out any honest competitor. The climb will be amaveur riders. There will be fee charged, and no charge of witness the climb, on a public road. —one for male: open to all admission to as it will be conducted ayes will be two classes S, and the other for won and girls, the prises in cach Clase’ being Sold watches. The climb will begin at 2 o'clock in the afternoon and will continue estants can enter right at the beginning of the conte entries not closing until 4 ode a oe The fifth annuai spri . tury Cycli i spring run of the Cen. ng Club of Maryland w fast Sunday, the route being to Getee Aye. via Westminster and Littlestown, a fifty mders, including three ladi started, nearly all of whom finished the ride, which was under the charge of Capt, pbatics B. Balke. The start was made = fee minutes before 6 o'clock in the morning rom the tower in Druid Hill Park. reach ing Gettysburg at 11:40. After a good dine ner a trolley car was chartered and a trip made over the battlefleld. A number of cyclists from Westminster and Frederick Joined in the run, and as the day was am ideal one for cycling all of the party thor oughly cnjoyed the trip. The roads for the Sreater part of the way were, however somewhat rogh. i Tt has been given out ts 7 the Raltimore rider who recente teat Maryland twenty-four-hour hake AN attempt tomorrow to bres Baltimore-Washinston record. If he many the aitempt the result will be ned with considerable interest by a large number of local riders. It is not known what route he will take, whether the short distance via Bladensburg, or the longer route, which will bring him in via Brightwood. Both of the Baltimore-Washington records are held by local men, John C. Wood, Harry Park and Jokn J. Fister having been’ prom- inently connected therewith. L. Cc. Wahl, formerly a local man, also ciaimed the record, but his claim was never allowed. The following appeared in Re of recent date: =e One John Lawson, who affixes “the Ter- rible Swede,” to his name in parenthesis, recently discovered the fact that there i @ new organization in St. Louis formed for the purpose of booming bicycle racing. He straightway mailed Secretary Laing of the St. Louis Cycle Racing Association, he, “The Terrible,” would condescend to ride a match race with Frank Waller for the delectation of a St. Louis audience and the benefit of the racing association's ex- chequer. The letter bears on its face bust picture of Lawson, his breast) em- blazoned with three score medals or more. On the reverse side is a likeness of the same ambitious gentleman in full racing } panoply seated on a bicycle with divers and sundry inscriptions beneath, anent his prowess on the track. . the purse of the St. Louis Cycle Racing Association is not in a plethorte condition. Dependent as it is on the whim of the Associated Cycling Clubs for exist- ence at all, and necessarily deferring to that organization for the right to even at- tempt to give a race meet, its financial condition would make a paying match race jesirable thing. However, Mr. Laing treated the voluntary offer of “The Terribl Swede” to contribute his services for Louts e benefit of the Cycle Racing Association with scorn. To be more explicit, the letter was thrown into the waste basket unop2n- ed, whence the writer rescued it. The far-seeing Mr. Laing, who is a cy- cling encyclopedia, is evidently well ac- quainted with Lawson. He knows h ord, one not to be particularly envied any Lawson in ours,” said he. “Mucn as we would like to entertain the public with n race, we will have to ‘pass up’ the According to a Philadelphia note 0. Bunnell, the veteran professional race meet promoter, is very much pleased at the progress made by the National Cycle Track Association in arranging for the coming season. He has full charge of the Philadelpaia interests of this association, which will have centers in Philadelphia, Manhattan Beach, Asbury Park, Bridge- port, Springfield, Louisville and Cambridge, Mass. Mr. Bunnell expects the N.C. A. will include besides the crac this ccuniry a number of fore! thus making up as fine a combination of riders as it would be possible to get to- gether. One of the novel features for this season will be the running of a swecystake handicap race. There are be seven tracks on the c sociation, and it is proposed to run t in seven heats, one at rs. The winner of the rac be the one who scored the greatest num- ber cf points in the seven rac nd he will receive 3) per cent of the pur the second man will get 25 per cent, the third 1 and the fourth per cent. In order to make the cveat a sure thing the N.C. T. A. bas promised to guarantee 3.000 of the purse, the balance to be taken from the gate receipts. According to the present plans of the association a tweive and twen- ty-four-hour race will also be among the features of this season's program. -_-o SIX-DAY FEMALE RACE Washington has had a gix-day eight- hour and a six-day go-as-you-please race for male cyclists, and it will now have a six-day female bicycle race, a novelty in this line of riding. The race will be a six- Gay twelve-hour contest, and will com- mence at 1 o'clock in the afternoon of May 31, at the Center Market Hall. The prepa- rations for the race were commenced dur- ing the carly part of the week, and things have been pushed for the event. The race will be given by a number of local men, at the head of whom are Messrs. Donneliy and Wilson. They will have full charge of the affair, and have issued or- ders for a karge number of lithogrephs ad- vertising the evert, which will be posted in all of the conspicuous places in the city. The track for the races will be erected next week, and will be suitably banked. It is calculated to be a twelve lap course, which will extend around the en- tlre room. There will be little room on the outside of the track for the spectators. These will all have to be accommodated on the inside of the track, and the seats will be placed. there for the benefit of the pub- lic. The track will be as wide as consi: ent, and constructed entirely out of new material. Considerable rivalry will result in the race, as New Yerk, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago and one or two other cities will be represented in the contest. This city is expected to be represented by several f- cycle racers. Up to last evening four- teen entries had been received, and it is expected that by the time the race starts there will be fully twenty or twenty-five votitestants. While the race is twelve-hour affair, it will in ity last only eleven hours each day. The prizes for the race will be a division of the gate recelpis, to be decided upon between the projectors and the contestants. As con- testanis in the race a given to ali who finish ‘any other prize. The novelty of the race ed by the umbrella feature days. Each of the riders wi sun shade, which fastens around and which can be turned in any The gay colors are expected to very pretty effect, entirely new The six-day race will be for female riders, Starting at 9 0 evening there will be special ra: male amateur riders, for distances three, five and ten miles, for watches will fi ead Le HH gba?