The Bicycling World, Vol 9, No 11
Articles in this issue
- Editorial on the chaos caused to the bicycle trade by the appointment of a government receiver for the Cunningham Company, leaving customers unable to take delivery of machines and repair-shop customers unable to retrieve their property.
- F.A. Elwell of Portland, Maine, announces the final participant list for the Kennebec tour and asks intending riders to submit their names, wheel size and make, and whether they dance — train departs Eastern Depot, Boston, 29 July at 9 a.m.
- Dave N. Port writes to correct his previous error, explaining he confused Sanford with Johnson as one of V.C. Place's opponents in the fifty-mile race and apologising to the "unvanquished flyer" Johnson.
- H.S. Kidder of the Elmira Bicycle Club corrects the World's report that Brooks will join the professionals, stating Brooks ordered a Rudge but intends to remain an amateur until he has lowered all existing American amateur records.
- N.G.A. from Athens, N.Y. quotes the CTC Gazette's withering rebuttal of the London Standard article on American cycling tourism, which dismissed the Standard's author as an armchair tricyclist who "has never done anything since" his one European tour.
- John S. Prince, the American professional champion, writes from Washington to thank the Elmira physicians who treated him after his bad fall of 3 July, announces he is recovering and training, and offers to bet $500 that he beats Howell in any Springfield race.
- A tricyclist correspondent describes persistent problems with crusting wicks and failing oil lamps, asking readers for the best oil to use and urging manufacturers to make larger oil reservoirs to avoid lamps going out miles from home.
- Wm. J. Morrison responds to G.D. Gideon's criticism of his tournament report, clarifying that his remark about tire damage was not intended as a slap at Star riders and that he has written separately to Gideon with a full explanation.
- Karl Kron requests a meeting with Thomas Stevens on his arrival in New York to gather material for "Ten Thousand Miles on a Bicycle," and shares his own long-distance riding statistics: 10,082 miles in five years 1879-84, with a record 3,534 miles in 1883.
- Practical guidance on tricycle saddle selection, fitting, and adjustment: advising riders to try several saddles, adjust height and tilt with folded brown paper, and treat a new saddle with soft soap and water to mould it to the rider's shape.
- L.H. Johnson of the Orange (N.J.) Wanderers rides 127 miles on a 44-inch Humber tricycle in 17h. 5m. riding time to set a new American 24-hour tricycle record, covering hilly roads through Montclair, Caldwell, and Newark in fog and intense heat.
- "Ixion" describes trial runs on a Rucker tandem bicycle, humorously recounting the challenges of mounting, steering, and managing the unusual machine that draws crowds and shouts of "Here's the divil, a dhrivin' his car wid his fut" from onlookers.
- Reprinted from The Cyclist: a detailed critique of bicycle makers' tendency to overlook small practical details — screw threads that extend to bolt ends, nuts inaccessible without special tools — that create real difficulties for non-mechanically skilled riders on the road.
- Poem "A Chelsea Girl" (parody of "Beverly Farms") plus miscellaneous items: the Canadian Wheelmen gazette company formation, Thomas Stevens arrives in Chicago after 42 days from San Francisco, Springfield tournament torchlight parade plans, and cycling gossip.
- Race results from Providence Pawtucket Club, a 24-mile Harlem-to-Yonkers wager race, the second annual Canadian Wheelmen's Association meet at Toronto (Lavender wins mile championship in 3m. 9.5s., Ross wins five miles), bicycle polo at Harrison's Star Park, and July 4 meets from Sycamore to Macon and Philadelphia.
- Club news: Chelsea BC moonlight run to Ocean Pier, Wakefield BC officer elections, Massachusetts BC pays $10,000 for new club-house land, Toronto BC's 82-man parade at the Canadian Wheelmen's meet, Salt Lake City BC and Elmira BC semi-annual officer elections.
- Cyclists' Touring Club American Division notices: seven new membership applications including Mrs. Geo. T. Wilson, consul appointment for Keene, N.H., and a reminder that the Harrogate Meet is imminent — members wishing to attend should sail immediately.
- Brief answers to correspondents: the editor cannot locate one reader's correspondent, dismisses a new mechanical device lacking any record of performance, and notes that the lever motion for bicycles has been tried and superseded by the crank.