The Bicycling World, Vol 10, No 13
Articles in this issue
- Phil Hammill's suspension by the L.A.W. Racing Board for alleged pace-making has been reviewed and dismissed, with Chairman Bassett accepting the recommendation to exonerate and reinstate him. The editor notes that the case's resolution reflects well on the Racing Board's willingness to reconsider a questionable decision.
- Unheaded editorial squibs cover the Boston clubs' guest-free annual dinners, the Bown v. Humber saddle-patent decision, a spat with the London editor of the Cyclist over 'perspiration', regrets for the defunct Boston Ramblers, Faed's plain hinged-pedal suggestion, the Humber 'Star' safety name, and the likely extension of the English lamp law to tricycles.
- A lengthy illustrated article by E.R. Shipton, reprinted from the Cyclist, explains the seven standard types of chronograph watch used in cycle racing, from the basic single-action flyback to the elaborate treble fly-back split-seconds model. Shipton argues that the N.C.U. should establish an official register of certified timekeepers and require all record-breaking watches to hold a Kew Observatory certificate.
- Karl Kron continues his campaign against League-negotiated hotel rate reductions, arguing that discounted rates invariably produce inferior accommodation and that wheelmen who accept 'leavings' are degrading the standing of cycling tourists. He calls on all serious touring cyclists to pay full price and demand genuinely good service rather than a cheap arrangement.
- A reader offers two practical modifications for improving rider comfort: a modified saddle with a cut-out panel lined with calfskin to relieve perineal pressure, and a broken cradle spring refitted to act as a flexible saddle support. The writer tested both on a seventeen-mile ride over frozen roads and found them entirely satisfactory.
- A Memphis Cycle Club officer writes to refute a Chicago newspaper's claim that the club's recent professional tournament was a financial failure, stating the club's books show a clear profit. The writer demands a retraction and announces that $1,000 in professional prizes will be offered at the club's May tournament.
- The Overman Wheel Company announces it will move its business office from Chicopee to Boston by 1 February, while keeping the factory running. Gormully and Jeffery announce they will continue making the Ideal bicycle and will add a new model called the American Challenge bicycle in March.
- Cycling news from Chicago covers the settlement of Hammill's case, preparations for the Illinois Division L.A.W. meet on 30 May, and plans for the next fifty-yard slow race trial at the Le Grand Rink. The Chicago Bicycle Club has grown to sixty-five active members.
- The Ohio Division of the League of American Wheelmen has voted to hold its 1885 meet on 20 and 21 July in Springfield, with a programme including bicycle races, fancy riding, and a grand banquet. The meet will be held at the Fair Grounds under the direction of Alfred Ely of Cleveland.
- The Big Four Tour has been formally organised at a meeting in Buffalo, with officers elected from Chicago, New York, Boston, and Buffalo clubs including Burley B. Ayres as manager and Fred Jenkins as general agent. The detailed day-by-day route is published, covering a multi-week ride from Buffalo through Ontario, the Thousand Islands, and down the Hudson to New York City starting 6 July.
- English cycling notes cover the Keen testimonial fund reaching around $400, H.J. Webb's reported move to edit the Tricycling Journal following his suspension, and a twenty-five mile safety race planned between Englehart on a Facile and Gibb on a Rudge. The Cyclist reports that 125 clubs outside London are defunct.
- A lady cyclist with four years of practical experience argues that the tricycle is far better suited to women riders than the bicycle, provided it is properly designed for female use. She criticises the ungentlemanly treatment of lady cycling writers in the English press and calls for more respectful engagement with women's contributions to cycling literature.
- Short notes report W.F. Sutton proving his 230-mile 24-hour tricycle record, the Springfield Club's troubles over abstracted books and petty cash with Mr. Fennessy expected to emerge with honour, the West's claim to the annual L.A.W. Meet, and the 1,119-to-7 vote merging the League's secretary and treasurer offices. Also noticed are the French Almanack Illustre from Rouen, Buffalo entertainment subscriptions headed by the Pope Manufacturing Company, and W.H.J. Grout's new corrugated tire.
- The Kings County Wheelmen announce their first annual indoor race meeting on 25 February at the Brooklyn Roller Skating Rink, featuring their champion Pettus riding a Kangaroo against roller skater Fuller. A full report follows of the Bay City Wheelmen's first tournament at the Mechanics' Pavilion, San Francisco, where F.E. Johnston won the ten-mile handicap over scratch man F.R. Cook and L.D. Copeland exhibited his steam bicycle.
- Club news covers the Kings County Wheelmen's brilliant fourth annual reception in Brooklyn with an eight-man drill under Captain Edward Pettus, officer elections at the Genesee Club of Rochester, and the winding-up of the Boston Ramblers with $1.33 returned to each member. Further items note the Lynn Cycle Club ball's Star-bicycle polo match between Finley and Frazier and the Louisville Wheel Club's first annual hop.
- The American Division column under Chief Consul Frank W. Weston lists the appointed state consuls from Connecticut to Wisconsin and six provisionally elected membership applicants including R.B. Gifford Jr. of Salem. New appointments name L.H. Johnson state consul for New Jersey and Frank E. Drullard for Montana Territory, while the Canadian Division directs applicants to chief consul Horace S. Tibbs of Montreal.