Vol 1, No 18
Articles in this issue
- The Editor thanks the members who have promised him accounts of their experiences in the matter of training, and presses them to actually send the promised copy in within the next few days.
- A Bicycle Union deputation of G. F. Cobb (Bursar of Trinity College, Cambridge), N. Salamon of the Coventry Machinists' Company and solicitor C. R. Hutchings is received by Mr. Sclater-Booth of the Local Government Board, who declines to settle in the present Act whether bicycles are carriages. The Union's three suggested by-laws, on bells or whistles, lamps after dark and the definition of a velocipede, are printed in full.
- The Council of the Union issues twelve recommendations on road riding, keep to the left, pass on the right, signal before overtaking, never pass between two riders, dismount for a restive horse, and carry a lamp at night, urging courtesy as the answer to the current prejudice against bicycling.
- A young lady interested in bicycling asks whether others will join her in giving a “Ladies' Challenge Prize” to the London Bicycle Club, writing as A. L. O. B. care of W. T. Thorn, jun., 11 Ladbroke Square, W.
- Report of the meeting of the 22nd: Walter T. Hill and Charles Shard elected members, Julius Meyer's resignation accepted, a sub-committee on head-quarters appointed, J. Scott Stokes added to the Committee as Sub-Editor, the Gazette's price to members cut to 1d. including back numbers, and an open three-mile evening race meeting fixed for August.
- District reports: the N.E. run over the Ilford and Romford road to Upminster, where the bathe found only three feet of water; the N.W. to Rickmansworth by Hendon, Stanmore and Moor Park for a swim in the Colne Navigation; the S.E. (Blackheath) by Keston Ponds to Westerham; and a Wednesday moonlight run of the Western Division from Folly Lane, Acton.
- Palmer Dalton concludes his tour with a seven-hour boat cruise from Weymouth round Sandsfoot Castle and Portland, inspecting the “Thunderer”; an evening ten-mile spin to the “White Horse” near Osmington; and the run on by Devizes, Melksham and Corsham to Bath with Marchant.
- Buckler's solo ride from the Weymouth esplanade over Ridgway Hill, breakfast at Cerne Abbas, the switchback road through Sherborne to Bruton where Dorsetshire gravel gives way to oolite, and arrival at the “White Lion,” Bath, so smothered in white dust that boots and clothes brush were needed to make him presentable.
- W. C. Freeth announces a solo attempt of some 1,500 miles, leaving Blackheath Hill on Friday 9 August for Calais, Nancy, the Vosges, the Arlberg and Finstermünz passes and Venice, returning by the Brenner to Heidelberg, inspired by Laumaillé's “To Vienna by Bicycle” and asking for road information between Calais and Sedan.
- “Ajax” and his cousin Alex. of the I Zingari B.C. ride from West Brompton by Hounslow and Maidenhead (tea at Skindle's) to lodge at the “Elephant,” Pangbourne, then dine at the “Swan,” Shillingford Bridge, and finish over the pumice-like approaches to Garsington. He also suggests the club appoint a surgeon, and complains that club ties run their colour onto a damp shirt.
- Meeting places and times for all six districts on 27 July and 3, 10 and 17 August, including Ongar, Elstree (bathing in the reservoir), Horseley Towers via Leatherhead, Dorking, Hertford, Stoke Pogis and St. Albans.
- A note recommending the Marine Hotel, facing the sea, to any member visiting Worthing, they will be more than satisfied with the welcome and not dissatisfied with the bill.
- An eighteen-light verse acrostic, with clues running from a Lydian king to the final lap of a bicycle race, whose solution gives the name of a renowned athlete and an event in his history.
- Four fixtures: the Joint Stock Banks' Athletic Club four-mile bicycle handicap at Stamford Bridge and the Brighton Bicycle Club meeting on 27 July, the Stanley Bicycle Club's two-mile handicap at Alexandra Park on 10 August (handicapper M. D. Rücker, jun.), and the Tower Hamlets Bicycle Club meeting at Alexandra Palace on 17 August.
- Members' machines offered for sale, including J. F. Marchant's 58-in. Stassen with front-wheel brake at £12, a 56-inch racing “Humber,” a 54-inch Stassen with eccentric brake and leg rests, and a 54½-inch Keen's Eclipse racer at £10.
- “Cactus” returns to his club-room scheme, proposing the Committee advertise in the daily papers for a room for the club's 250 members, and defends bicyclists against a Globe correspondent, arguing that a noiseless and watchful approach is safer than shouting and whistling at pedestrians.
- Owen Roe is told that want of space compels the Editor to hold his letter over until next week.