The Bicycling Times and Touring Gazette, Vol 6, No 14
Articles in this issue
- Challenges the claim that the Bicycle Touring Club's general meeting gave a conclusive answer on which publication should be its official organ, arguing only that the matter was referred to the Council; also reports Stanley B.C. members William Turner and colleagues lobbying for a new seven-acre racing track near Willesden Junction.
- Lists Saturday rides for London clubs including the Atalanta, Clarence, Druids, Fulham, Guildhall, Highbury, Kildare, Star, and Widmore, together with upcoming dinners, balls, and open amateur race fixtures at Heywood, Coventry, Dewsbury, and Stamford Bridge.
- Reviews three new products: the Britannia Manufacturing Company's foot-lathe (£8–£10, recommended for country agents doing repairs), J. Harrington of Ryde's Arab Cradle Spring (a new saddle spring adaptable to any machine), and Messrs. Letts's 'Popular Atlas' issued in monthly parts at 7d.
- Reports on annual meetings, officer elections, and social events at clubs across Britain, including the Arion, Bournemouth, Buckingham, Clevedon, Civil Service, Druids, Kensington, Lanarkshire, Ramblers, Rangers, Rovers, Speedwell (Birmingham), Star, Sydenham, Sleaford, Sheppy, Temple, and Tower Hamlets bicycle clubs.
- A short gossip column noting the formation of a testimonial committee for retiring Stanley B.C. Hon. Sec. A. W. Hutt, musing on club etiquette, and reporting that land near Willesden Junction suitable for a bicycle ground can be had for under £500 an acre; includes a challenge from 'One Who Knows' to Cortis.
- Report on the third annual dinner of the Christchurch B.C. at Newlyn's Hotel, presided over by Mayor H. Pain, with speeches praising captain Edward Ernest Clarke and noting the club had grown to sixty members, conducted twenty club runs, and attracted nearly 150 bicycles and tricycles to its annual meet.
- Account of the third annual dinner of the North London B.C. at the Wellington Club, Wellington Street, where Captain Charles Dowding and Hon. Sec. Arthur Bennett were praised and toasts were exchanged with delegates from the Highgate, Star, Canonbury, and Tuffnel clubs.
- Reports an annual meeting at the Seaside Hotel at which Sir Ughtred Kay-Shuttleworth, Bart. M.P. (President) spoke on bicycling as a manly sport, cautioned against over-exertion in competitions, and offered to donate a prize for future race meetings.
- Brief account of the Stockwell B.C. annual dinner at the Holborn Restaurant, where Hon. Sec. John Gliddon presented captain W. S. Dodwell with a masonic gold medal won as champion, and the club's affairs were reported to be in a satisfactory condition.
- Announces a testimonial fund for A. W. Hutt on his retirement as Honorary Secretary of the Stanley Bicycle Club, crediting him with placing the club in a sound financial state and successfully organising its last two bicycle exhibitions; subscriptions to be sent to Vice-Captain W. Turner.
- Reproduces the American Spirit of the Times's sceptical response to Jack Keen's challenge to race a trotting horse, dismissing his claim to ride a mile in 2 min. 12½ sec.; Keen then visited the Bicycling Times office to stand by his challenge and note that no American horse-owner had yet accepted it.
- Reports the second bicycle exhibition at the American Institute Building, New York, managed by the Manhattan Athletic Club, including a two-mile handicap amateur race won by Clark in 6 min. 47 sec., and a 25-mile professional handicap won by George Harrison in 1 hr. 28 min. 25 sec.
- Publishes the cash account and balance sheet of the Bicycle Touring Club for the half-year ending 31 January 1880, signed by Treasurer S. H. Ineson of Bradford and auditors W. Johnson and F. Riley, showing total receipts and expenditure of £119 11s. 5d. and a cash balance of £16 9s. 1d.
- Opens with a letter from R. W. Roylance (Hon. Sec., West London B.C.) proposing an organised Easter Monday meet at Brighton with a committee of club delegates, followed on page 11 by letters on the tone of bicycling journalism, the B.T.C. supper report, the proposed Kentish bicyclists' meet, and a query about the social standing of the Stanley vs. London clubs.
- Short editorial replies on topics including ball bearings, LAC track access, touring routes, Bicycle Union membership, and recommended inns at Enfield, Hampton Court, and Crawley.
- Reader queries seeking advice on standard bugle calls for bicycle clubs, recommended road routes and inns from Romford to King's Lynn, a remedy for a rubber tyre made sticky by a hot iron, and inn names at villages near London including Aldenham, Colney Heath, and Ickenham.