The Bicycling World, Vol 3, No 4
Articles in this issue
- Opening editorial notes on the League Meet of 30 May: nearly eight hundred men in line with no accidents, the Massachusetts Club's 38 men in uniform taking the cake for numbers, the Providence men's hospitable punch, two triocycles in the parade (one ridden by inventor Mr. Burley), the League photograph taken by Mr. Notman on the Natural History building steps, and praise for Wm. B. Everett and the Entertainment Committee.
- Under the sub-heading 'The Parade', a full account of the L.A.W. parade of 30 May 1881: nearly a thousand wheelmen assembled on Commonwealth Avenue near Hotel Vendome, reviewed at 10.45 a.m. by League Commander C.K. Munroe; the Bostons under Captain Hodges led the line (with President Pratt in their ranks), followed by the New Yorks, the Massachusetts men in dark-blue, the New Havens, the Essex Club, the Manhattans, Providence, both Hartford clubs, the Chelseas and Walthams, passing via Dartmouth Street, Chester Park, Columbus Avenue and Chandler Street.
- Roster of the parade with uniforms described: Commander C.K. Munroe of the New York Club; marshals including Colonel Albert A. Pope, Captain William M. Wright and Philip Timpson; then division-by-division listings of clubs, captains, strengths, uniforms and colors — Boston, New York, Massachusetts, Crescent, Saratoga, Lawrence, Pequot, Harvard, Phillips Academy, Hub and M.I.T. among them — with the third division of 137 unattached riders under S.T. Clark of Baltimore.
- Minutes of the L.A.W. business meeting: H.S. Kempton of the Boston Club chosen recording secretary pro tempore; W.B. Everett proposed A.G. Carpenter for president, J.M. Fairfield of Chicago for vice-president, and E.C. Hodges for commander, all to prolonged applause; Mr. Hurry of New York counter-proposed C.K. Munroe for president.
- Extemporaneous annual report by outgoing president Charles E. Pratt: the League, organized less than a year, has perfected its machinery and consul system for some 8,000 wheelmen riding in the United States and Canada, secured rights from the Haddonfield Turnpike Co., and petitioned the New York Park Commissioners for a Central Park drive, the printing expenses borne by Col. Albert A. Pope.
- Itemized account of Dillwyn Wistar, treasurer pro tem., presented at the first annual meeting, Boston, 30 May 1881: receipts of $344.26 including $145.26 from ex-treasurer Willoughby, admission fees from the Wilkesbarre and Germantown clubs, and deposits for 53 silver and 46 nickel badges; payments of $125.70, chiefly $100 to Richards & Co. of Boston for badges, leaving a balance of $218.56.
- Commander Munroe reports extemporaneously that League races have not thus far been successful but promise to be, notes handsome badges in preparation, thanks the club captains for the parade's success, and ably criticises current methods of club drill — citing the elaborate Upton's Cavalry Tactics — and members' lack of interest in it.
- Ballot results at the League convention: Charles E. Pratt re-elected president with 548 of 564 votes; C.K. Munroe elected commander over E.C. Hodges, 224 to 196; Kingman Putnam corresponding secretary (337 votes); S.T. Clark of Baltimore recording secretary; Dillwyn Wistar of Philadelphia treasurer; J.M. Fairfield of Chicago vice-president; directors chosen by state, and the Bicycling World voted the League's official organ.
- Account of the post-parade dinner at Music Hall, Boston, where the grand organ played as wheelmen in varied uniforms filled the floor; Capt. Hodges called the League president to the chair for after-dinner speeches (to be reported in the following issue), and the Boston and Massachusetts clubs exchanged toasts.
- Evening programme at Music Hall organized by C.P. Shillaber and Louis Harrison: M. Chandler of the Providence Club rode side-saddle and balanced in his spokes; the Hermes Club of Providence gave a club drill; G.E. Allen picked up a handkerchief from the floor at speed; Prof. Rollinson of Philadelphia performed a comic beginner-to-expert act and then rode a mile in 3 min. 31.5 sec.; Mr. Pressey demonstrated the American Star bicycle; and R.M. Smith of the Capital Club, Washington, balanced horizontally on his machine's tip.
- Results of the Beacon Park Athletic and Driving Association amateur and professional races on Saturday, May 28: quarter-mile won by Lewis T. Frye of the Marlboro' Club (47.5 sec.); half-mile won by Frye in 1:42, Faulkner of the Star Club second; one-mile won by Wm. M. Woodside of the Manhattan Club in 3:36.75 (Lafon and Nauss collided, Frye second in 4:13); two-mile won by Woodside in 6:52.5 from Sewall and Faulkner; judges were Pratt, Pope, and Hodges; clerk of course, C.P. Shillaber.
- Touring letter signed Kol Kron: rides over the macadam and flagstone of Canandaigua and out to East Bloomfield, a timed two laps of the trotting-park half-mile track in 4 min. 35 sec., 'riding through the air' across the newly floored old Suspension Bridge at Niagara, and a 38-mile day from the International Hotel at Niagara through Tonawanda and Black Rock to Buffalo and along the Lake Erie shore.
- Two humorous vignettes by 'Diamond' about a young Kinderhook cyclist: first, a novice attempting to tip his cap to a lady friend on Albany Avenue loses control, strikes a post, and lands at her feet; second, months later riding with folded arms he overtakes the same young woman on Silvester Lane and boldly kisses her on the lips without breaking his balance.
- A B.T.C. member responds to 'Sugna's' query (from issue no. 26) about joining the Bicycle Touring Club, explaining that any gentleman belonging to a recognized amateur club is eligible, that unattached riders need two member recommendations, and detailing the practical advantages of membership for Americans visiting England.