The Wheel. - San Francisco Chronicle, 30 Apr 1888
The Wheel.
Official organ [L. A. W.]
Chief Consul, Robert M. Welch; Representatives, John W. Gibson, J. D. Arkison, R. C. Woodworth, C. C. Moore, S. F. Booth Jr., B. H. Patrick: Secretary and Treasurer, Norval A. Robinson.
W. B. Kollmeyer and H. A. Mathews of the San Francisco Bicycle Club rode their wheels from Stockton to Brooklyn Saturday, following route three of the California road book, leaving Stockton about 1 o'clock. They report that the roads as far as Bantas are in a very poor condition, and at the San Joaquin ferry the road is being improved. They suggest that wheelmen take the railroad between San Joaquin City and French Camp, as fair riding can be obtained and much walking be dispensed with; also that the trip be made from Brooklyn, owing to the strong headwind that blows from the south.
The Oak Leaf 'cyclists are anticipating giving the "bikers" a lively time during the league meet. Those who race will have a perfect track. It is in the form of an ellipse, banked up on all sides, and is one-quarter of a mile in distance.
Wier, Bacon and Chiles of the San Franciscos rode from Pleasanton to Martinsburg [Martinez?]' last Sunday.
Charles B. Shaw of Cloverdale, a member of the above club, paid this city a short visit last week and enjoyed a spin through the park. He made the return trip on his wheel from San Rafael.
Arrow Smith indulged in a new Singer safety lately, geared to a sixty-inch wheel. He is greatly pleased, as he can now ride over every bump on the road and come out without a bruise.
The roads to San Jose were covered with wheelmen Saturday, on their way to the Floral Fair.
R. Davis of Adelaide broke the Australian mile bicycle record in a recent race, his time being 2:38 4-5; the race was for the championship of Australia.
The market for arnica and court plaster is booming, with prices firm. The bicycle season has fairly begun, and fair to middling bruises are quoted lively for spot.
California division will hold its annual meet and races at Stockton, under the auspices of the Oak Leaf Bicycle Club.
The report of the Secretary of the Wheelmen's League shows a total membership of 8678, of which New York State has 1874 and New Jersey 564.
J. W. Sheehan, the first lieutenant of the Manhattan Bicycle Club, made the first "century" run of the season the other day, covering 107 miles in ten hours.
The San Francisco Club Committee are hard at work upon the league programmes and report that as for events and artistic designs it far surpasses those of previous years.
Stockton is doing its utmost to make the next league meet a success, and report that so far things are looking as bright as can be expected.
It is reported that Patrick of the San Franciscos is going to lower the record on the mile. He is in active training on the quiet. It is reported that a trial mile by him has been made to the 40s.
The long-looked for fifteen-mile race between Wood and Howell, the English champion, was won by the former in 51 minutes 27 seconds.
F. A. Elwell, chief consul of Maine, is calling for recruits to a 'cycling tour through Ireland, England, France and Switzerland. The party will leave America the latter part of May, 1889, and will be gone about three months.
The English are talking of discarding the safety and taking up the tricycle for the army corps, as they can carry more on the latter, and also stand still, which is impossible on the safety.
Long Branch, N. J., is to have a $25,000 bicycle track.
The century run, made by four of the Columbia League Wheelmen a few days ago, was full of incidents. The four "100 mile per day runners of the wheel" were W. B. Wegener, M. D. Garratt, A. H. Russ and Robert Russ. Neither one brought the "laurels" home excepting the last named of the four, who was fortunate enough to reach Oakland on his wheel, though darkness overtook him. W. Wegener would have carried the laurels to the city also, but owing to a mishap to his wheel Menlo Park was, therefore, destined to be ample for that day. Garratt and A. Russ loitered too much on the road to cyclometer that distance in one day (San Jose), so had to be content in making it in two days, which they heroically claim to have done. The last which the twain saw of Bob Russ on their down trip was at Menlo Park, when he began to spurt, which lengthened the distance too much for the twain followers. San Jose was reached at 11:40 A. M. by the single individual, whereas, Garratt and A. Russ passed the electric mast at 1:10 P. M. After registering at the hotel, it now being 3 o'clock, the terrible return trip was begun by the Alameda side against a perfect gale. When San Lorenzo was reached total darkness reigned and stiff breeze was blowing, which so disheartened the twain enthusiastic 'cyclers that the sponge was thrown up, and they returned to San Francisco by train on the following day.
According to the report of the secretary-editor, the L. A. W. had, on March 16th, forty-eight life members, 7851 renewals, 779 applications, a grand total of 8678. Forty-nine new applications were also published in the same number. New York is on top, as usual, with 1874; Pennsylvania has 1158, Massachusetts 978, Ohio 683, and New Jersey is an honorable fifth position with 564, being followed by Illinois, 482; Connecticut, 373; California, 303; Maryland and Missouri, each 267. No other State or Territory has over 200.
The details of the hill-climbing contest between Philadelphia and St. Louis bicycle riders have just been arranged. Mr. Wells of this city - a Pennsylvania club man - will meet Greenwood of St. Louis on Kimmswick hill, that city, on June 30th. The second contest will take place on Eagle Rock hill, Orange, N. J., on July 28th, and if a third race should be necessary, it will take place on Corey hill, Boston, the first week in August. The loser will pay all expenses and the cost of the championship medal.
No woman should attempt to ride a bicycle, says a bicycle-maker, unless she is suitably costumed. The appearance on the street of a woman bicyclist with a bustle on would tend to bring the whole business into disrepute. What is a proper costume? Well, a lady rider should be dressed plainly in a costume of flannel like an equestrienne habit, without, however, having the extra length of skirt. It should be made of flannel or some material of a heavy texture that would fall or drape gracefully to the feet. She should have no bustle, or not be tied or strapped up to such an extent as to prevent the utmost freedom in the use of every muscle.
The National 'Cyclists' Union, the governing body of the sport in England, has recently decided to discourage road racing, and calls upon the clubs to assist it by refusing to hold races on the road. It prohibits any of its officials from officiating or assisting at any road race, and refuses to recognize any records made on the road. This is the same position taken by the League of American Wheelmen in this country.
Now that the New Jersey Legislature has decided that 'cycles in that state are entitled to all the privileges accorded to other vehicles, the South Jersey "road hogs," who have always made themselves particularly obnoxious to wheelmen, will probably be favored with some salutary lessons during the coming season.
