The Bicycling World, Vol 6, No 22
Articles in this issue
- The editorial advocates a liberal policy for the League of American Wheelmen regarding race regulations, discusses proposals for steam traction engines improving road conditions, and quotes the New York Times on electricity for propulsion of tricycles—'signs of the times' indicating the direction of invention and improvement.
- Technical guide to constructing bicycle racing paths: tracks should be elliptical, no more than 5 laps to the mile, 5–7 yards wide with banked curves; construction requires a 3-foot-deep foundation of rock and gravel for drainage, topped with fine gravel and engine cinders; a four-lap track costs approximately $1,500.
- Louis R. Harrison of the Boston Bicycle Club examines the defective state representation system in L.A.W. national elections: Massachusetts with 413 members can cast only 5 votes while 9 smaller states with 32 members combined cast 18 votes; he proposes that representatives be instructed to cast the actual member count of their states.
- Notice of a meeting for tricycle riders at the Boston Bicycle Club house, 53 Union Park, on Wednesday 11 April at 7:30 PM to arrange a grand Massachusetts tricycle meet, described as the first such gathering in the state.
- The Capital Bicycle Club's soiree dansante at Marini's on 26 March is a brilliant social success; the hall is decorated with the club's cat emblem and a nickel wheel bearing its motto 'Swiftly and Silently'; members wear blue sack coats and knee breeches; Schroeder's orchestra provides music and supper is served at 11:30.
- R. F. Foster v. Judge Maulsby at Howard County Circuit Court, Ellicott City: Foster was riding from Hagerstown to Baltimore when Judge Maulsby demanded he dismount; after arrest and trial before a magistrate, Foster sued for $5,000 in damages; the court rules he was never legally arrested since no warrant was issued, and Foster vows to appeal.
- J. G. Dalton reports that a driver in a light wagon on Brighton Avenue near Cottage Farm station deliberately or recklessly struck his bicycle from behind, causing a violent fall entangled between vehicles; the driver continued without stopping, and Dalton calls for measures to punish reckless driving.
- Detailed review of the Victor Rotary tricycle made by the Overman Wheel Company in Chicopee, Massachusetts: a front-steerer with two 50-inch drivers and a 16-inch steering wheel, weldless steel frame, patent differential gear in a 'box of tricks', Aeolus ball bearings, rack-and-pinion steering, and Harrington's enamel finish; weighing 94 pounds, it is predicted to rival imported machines.
- D. C. H. of the Cortlandt Wheelmen protests the officers' decision to move the League Meet from 30 May to 28 May; A. L. Fennessy of Springfield reiterates support for Ducker over Hill for Massachusetts chief consul; Frank E. Yates of the L.A.W. Racing Board responds to 'Patience' and calls for clearer race start and finish rules; and a vigorous defense of the League officers answers 'Lydia P.'s' criticisms.
- Club news: the Bay State Wheel Club elects new officers on 29 March; Paul Butler and Willis Farrington of the Boston Club sail for an English summer tour; the Yale Bicycle Club adopts a uniform of blue jerseys and corduroys; and the Washington Cycle Club is formally organized on 31 March with Amos W. Hart as president.
- The Boston Bicycle Club invites New England League clubs to join a run from Springfield to New Haven ahead of the League Meet: leaving Springfield at 2 PM on 26 May, riding to Hartford (26 miles) for the night, then through Meriden (18 miles) and New Haven (20 miles) to catch a special train to New York.
- Cincinnati Club races on 29 March at Power Hall: Warner Galway wins the ten-mile Kittredge gold medal in 37 minutes 43 seconds; Ed. Landey wins the five-mile Enquirer medal in 18 minutes 36 seconds; Cal. Townley wins the two-mile dash in 7 minutes 7.5 seconds; Jack Keen is confirmed coming from England to race John Prince.
- A trial of the Humber and Coventry rotary tricycles finds both superior in practice to theoretical objections; the Facile bicycle is announced for the American market; L.A.W. Secretary Sholes reports 1,770 active members as of 24 March with 296 applications received since 1 December.
- L.A.W. membership applications from Meriden (14 members), Troy, Cortlandt, Boston Ramblers, and Cohannet Wheelmen; New York wheelmen called to a meeting on 3 April to organize the League Meet; Ohio wheelmen urged to charter a special train; and constitutional and racing rule amendments adopted at the 27 March officers' meeting are published in full.
- Cyclists' Touring Club: applications received through 31 March include H. E. Ducker of Springfield; the American Branch adopts a new uniform using cloth from Lamoville Mills in Fairfax, Vermont, substituting the Norfolk jacket and Boston Club cap for the English polo cap; new hotel and consul appointments are listed.