WHEEL WHIRLS. - Oakland Tribune, 24 Sep 1890
WHEEL WHIRLS.
Gossip That Will Be of Interest to the Bikers.
The letter of Robert M. Welch, ex-Chief Consul, as given in the last World and Bulletin, is a good one, and shows the true feeling of the members from the central and northern portions of the State, regarding the formation of a separate division for southern California. "Hexameter," the sponsor for the one-lunged brethren, is almost too bombastic, as a general rule, and shoots above the mark. Mr. Welch handles the question admirably, and to him the new division (should one be organized) owe considerable. The northern California members have the same right to object, and, as California is a large State, and has lots of wheelmen, why not have a northern division as well.
The legal and journalistic fraternity are represented in the city of Alameda by active riders, the safety being the general mount.
George Owen, of San Jose, who met with an accident the day of the road race, is still in the ring, but badly scarred. His header resulted in several very bad cuts on his face and head.
Jake Zimmer, the cycle repairer, who used to be with ex-Chief Consul Mohrig, was out on the San Leandro road Sunday, as smiling as ever.
The Bay City's gray and the San Francisco's blue are not seen as often in Oakland as formerly.
The Elwell European tourists are on their homeward trip, and the organizer, F. A. Elwell, is making arrangements for a winter tour of three or four weeks to the Bermudas, during January or February.
Jerry Calhoun, of the County Tax Collector's office, will devote more of his time to cycling next season, as he will then be out of politics.
East Oakland and Highland Park once boasted of a large contingent of wheelmen, but few now remain, and no enthusiasm is shown by the present riders.
What has become of the Acme Bicycle Club, the adjunct of the Acme Athletic Club? How short lived have been all our cycling organizations, and which goes next!
The noiseless steed of steel carries its rider past scenes never intended for their gaze, and the spoonily inclined dread their stealthy approach and inwardly curse the fates that thus ordained this unwonted disturbing and omnipresent element.
The gravity railroad at Piedmont is an apology for the exhilarating feeling of a delightful coast down a good and not too steep grade.
The latest thing in the way of a cycle is the "twins." This consists of two safeties being placed side by side and connected in such a manner that the riders ride side by side, after the old sociabie form. It requires no practice to ride and is so simple in construction that in a few moments it can be disconnected and made into two single safeties.
Messrs. Norton and Greeley of the San Francisco Bicycle Club passed through Oakland last Saturday afternoon. They were bound for Monterey.
The road to Alameda, both via Webster street and Fruit Vale are at present in a very poor condition for bicycling.
The pneumatic tires have proven conclusively that they possess great speed. The Irishman, McCrady, who recently made the wonderful time of 2:26 4-5 for one mile on one of these new tired safeties, cutting the oid record for the ordinary by exactly three seconds, has created a great furore among both wheelmen and makers in general. It is an undisputed fact that for racing purposes the pneumatic tired wheels will have to be placed in a class by themselves, being faster than wheels tired in the regular manner.
Messrs. Flint, Seaver, Chappellette and Clay participated in a run to Berkeley and the University on Saturday afternoon last. They state that the road, as far as College avenue, is in fair condition.
Tue Illinois Division League of American Wheelmen will hold their annual meeting at Chicago this year. It commences on the 25th instant and ends two days later. They have a new track for racing and many records are expected to be lowered.
Quite a number of wheelmen from Oakland and neighboring towns are seen regularly every Sunday at Blair's Park enjoying the pleasant surroundings and listening to the music.
