The Bicycling World, Vol 12, No 1
Articles in this issue
- Editorial assessing why safety bicycles failed to flourish as expected in the spring, blaming defective small-wheeled machines foisted on the public by dealers, and predicting success for designs like the Rover, Humber, and Antelope that separate the driving and steering wheels.
- Multiple letters addressing the disputed Boston Club hundred-mile course measurement, controversy over the Connecticut Bicycle Club's membership rules, duty on imported bicycles, race etiquette, and the proper use of spring-lid reservoirs.
- G. Lacy Hillier, editor of the Bicycling News, demands the names of the anonymous Springfield timekeepers; the World replies point by point, naming official timers Ethan C. Robinson, O.N. Whipple, and C.S. Fiske, identifying Dr. N.P. Tyler as handicapper, and defending Harry Etherington against insinuations of crooked timekeeping.
- Description of the Rover Safety Bicycle manufactured by Starley & Sutton of Coventry, quoting Henry Sturmey in the Bicycling News on its 36-inch and 30-inch wheels and chain drive, and noting George Smith's hundred miles in 7.05.16 in the recent road race.
- Detailed first-person account of the Boston cycling party's excursion to Gloucester and Cape Ann, with named participants including the Hopkinses, Stalls, and Smiths, and notes on road conditions and the overnight programme.
- "Daisie" chronicles the success of Miss Minna Smith's ladies' run to the North Shore, weighs the merits of tandems against single machines for lady riders, invites correspondence addressed to her care of the editor, and advises against waterproof clothing.
- The Boston Club holds a chop supper in honor of its founder Frank W. Weston, recovering from a severe illness, with R.J. Tombs presiding and speeches from President Hodges, T.E. Lambert, Willis Farrington, and others.
- The Ixion Bicycle Club of New York moves into remodelled headquarters at 351 West 59th Street, described room by room: a velvet-carpeted parlor, a leather-chaired library with a portrait of Col. Pope, a carved oak bookcase, ventilated lockers, and top-floor rooms rented to resident members.
- Reprint from the Clipper deploring the season's flood of record claims, noting that the feats of amateur Rowe and professional Woodside since the Springfield tournament were trials against time under ideal conditions that fall short in merit of slower performances made in actual races.
- Karl Kron, in an excerpt from his forthcoming 'Ten Thousand Miles on a Bicycle', discusses H. Sandham's illustrations to J.S. Phillips's 'Awheeling in Norambega' in the Wheelman and defends his refusal of personal publicity, quoting the Nation on the harm done when private gossip is spread in print.
- A column of pointed rhetorical questions aimed at "Hal" of the Bulletin and his personal criticism in the League's organ, with further jabs about whether Rowe will race in England, the Overman Wheel Co.'s 3,000-machine order, and Papa Weston's testimonial dinner.
- News paragraphs: the Overman Wheel Company contracts for 3,000 Victor bicycles for 1886, the racing board reinstates Lewis T. Frye of Marlboro' as amateur, L.D. Munger abandons his twenty-four-hour record attempt after slipping a pedal at 213.5 miles, Dan Canary performs in England, and two hundred wheelmen dine the victorious cyclists at London's Holborn Restaurant.
- Results from the Yale games at Hartford won by J.S. Kulp, the Taunton Bicycle Club races, and the Princeton College games, plus George M. Hendee equalling his 36 1/4 quarter-mile record at Hampden Park and Woodside's plans to attack the hundred-mile record at Springfield.
- The Thorndike Club of Beverly refurnishes its clubrooms, the Massachusetts Club plans a dramatic performance and a Notman group photograph, the Somerville Club opens its assemblies at Odd Fellows Hall, the Cambridge Club issues cards for its third annual reception at Armory Hall on 13 November, and the City Club of Brockton gives a dance.
- Official column from acting chief consul C.H. Potter of Cleveland listing the C.T.C. state consuls from Connecticut to Wyoming Territory, provisional elections of Victor C. Place and J.R. Littell, and new consul and hotel appointments for Massillon, Ohio and Clarksville, Missouri.