The Bicycling Times and Touring Gazette, Vol 6, No 12
Articles in this issue
- Argues that the London Bicycle Club's annual Bath-to-London road trial is in practice a race — twenty to thirty men competing for ten medals along a public highway — and urges the club to abandon it voluntarily in favour of a closed course such as Alexandra Palace.
- Notes from more than a dozen clubs including the Belgrave's AGM (joining the Bicycle Union, new officers), the Belsize ball announcement, runs by the Brixton and Derby clubs in foggy conditions, and social evenings of the Saturn and Temple clubs.
- Reader letters debate the feasibility of a dedicated bicycle racing ground near Willesden — examining land costs, lease terms, and gate-money calculations — alongside a vigorous defence of the Bicycle Union against a rival paper's charge that it admits professionals.
- Detailed walk-round of exhibits at the Stanley Show: Carver's hollow-spoked machines, Harrington's new 'Cradle' spring, Bown's Æolus ball bearings, Humber's new fluted hind fork, Hydes & Wigfull's round hollow-forked Improved Stanley, Bayliss Thomas tricycle, and Mrs. Peake's Royal bicycles supplied to Prince Albert Victor.
- Gossip column noting that 'Derdykin' has left Hillman & Herbert's to turn professional, questioning the double standard applied to amateur testimonial-givers versus professional racers, and reporting that Hillman & Herbert have taken on Mr. Cooper (inventor of the hub lamp) as partner.
- Account of the Croydon Bicycle Club's first dinner at Anderson's Hotel, Fleet Street, chaired by K. T. Oelrichs; includes toasts to the club, visiting clubs (Sydenham, Crichton, Lewisham, Forest Hill), the racing members (notably J. W. Sharpe's Brighton handicap win despite a broken collar-bone), and the press.
- Report of the Belgrave Bicycle Club's supper at the Richmond Hotel following their AGM, with guests from the Zingari, Atalanta, Tower Hamlets, and Tynemouth clubs; features songs and recitations by members including C. B. Wilson of Tynemouth.
- Report of the Stanley B.C.'s musical and dramatic evening at 'The Boston,' Junction Road, including G. L. Hillier's character song, a comic sketch 'Taming the Tiger,' and a temperance lecture, attended by about forty members despite dense fog.
- Reminder to members of the half-yearly meeting at Anderton's Hotel, Fleet Street, on Saturday 7 February at 5 p.m., followed by supper at 7.30 p.m.
- Notice of the funeral of Mr. W. G. Giles, late sub-captain of the Derby Bicycle Club, attended by fifteen members who paid their respects on Wednesday, 28 January.
- Announces the merger of the Guildhall and City Bicycle Clubs into the new City of London Bicycle Club, with Mr. Alderman Knight as President and the first annual meeting set for Monday 9 February.
- McCullum Hill writes to clarify that he still holds the London Amateur Championship he won, having been unable to compete in a separate open amateur championship race the previous Monday due to press of business.
- Announces that Stephen Withers & Co. of 42–43 Cheapside will open bicycle showrooms on Tuesday 10 February, stocking machines, tricycles, and athletic clothing, and planning a free bicyclists' club room for members.
- L. C. B. Yeoman, Hon. Sec. of the Pickwick B.C., reports that he has been instructed to invite all metropolitan clubs to a meeting on 24 February at the Guildhall Tavern to consider holding a Monster Meet.
- Report of the Pickwick B.C.'s AGM on 28 January at the Guildhall Tavern, recording the election of new officers including Captain J. W. Beningfield and Hon. Sec. Lamartine C. B. Yeoman, and a vote of thanks to retiring captain Mr. Bryant.