The Bicycling World, Vol 9, No 14
Articles in this issue
- Editorial arguing that simplicity of construction is a cardinal virtue of the modern cycle; warns against 'too good' machines loaded with unnecessary contrivances, praises the enduring popularity of the ordinary bicycle, and calls on manufacturers to prioritize excellence of materials and soundness of construction over catch-penny innovations — especially for tricycles still in an experimental state.
- Extended correspondence from Karl Kron of New York defending the editorial position that wheeling tourists benefit more from better hotels than cheaper ones, reiterating that 'reduction of rates' yields only five cents' saving per item while invariably resulting in inferior accommodation, and noting his published circular to hotel-keepers in the Springfield Wheelmen's Gazette.
- Brief letter from a Vermont correspondent describing a bicycle jump of over fifteen feet made by a 180-pound rider on a 58-inch machine after coasting over a water bar on a steep hill, followed by notes on the formation of several new Vermont cycling clubs.
- Description of a new bicycle saddle spring by the Pope Manufacturing Company that combines vertical relief with fore-and-aft vibration damping via two pendant swing links, designed to ease the rider over obstructions and act as a safety device against headers; the editors report favourably on a similar Wilson-pattern spring ridden the previous year.
- Novices' Column continuing the 'Cyclist correspondence on cycling comforts: reader responses recommend kid-upper shoes over canvas, Oxford shoes a size larger than usual, woollen stockings knitted at home, flannel next the skin with elastic straps to avoid garters, cork helmets or straw hats, and abstaining from drinks except at meal times.
- Report on Thomas Stevens, the first cyclist to ride across the American continent, arriving in Boston on a 50-inch Columbia bicycle after 3,500 miles in three months and twelve days from San Francisco; he plans to stop in Boston before sailing to England to continue his round-the-world journey, having lost 25 pounds crossing the Rockies.
- Account by L. W. Seely of Washington of two sixteen-year-old boys, William Dinwiddie and Howard Seely, who learned to ride the single front wheel of their broken bicycles after three weeks of practice and now ride daily through city streets, crossing car tracks, with longest rides of three and a half miles at eight miles per hour.
- Humorous narrative of a three-man cycling adventure from Elmira to Williamsport, Pa.: James Cochburn (No. 1) covered 80 miles on terrible mountain roads in 14.5 hours, joined at Canton by Ed. Davenport (No. 2), and then by dude Grant Sweet (No. 3) for the last 12 miles over dastardly sand — ending with the party raiding the Park Hotel kitchen at supper.
- Detailed road guide compiled by H. S. Wood, L.A.W. consul for Philadelphia, covering the 96-mile route via Frankford, Bristol, Trenton, Somerville, Plainfield, Milburn, Newark, and Jersey City Ferry, with mileages, road surfaces (macadam, sandy, clay, sidewalk), grades, conditions, and turn-by-turn directions.
- Humorous dispatch from 'Eph' of the St. Louis club describing a Sunday exploration of the Gravois Road — forty miles of sandstone, corduroy, and furnace slag ending at a rail fence — with headers taken by the sixty-inch rider, profanity from 'the kid,' and three members departing to attempt Mt. Washington and Corey Hill.
- Short notes recommending the 'Boston shoe' designed specifically for cycling by Mr. Strickland and endorsed by racers Corey, Woodside, and Frazier; announcing the Down-east tour's completion despite wet weather; noting a Duryea saddle patent taken out in Great Britain; and reporting the Boston Club's forthcoming tricycle road race.
- Full programme of the Springfield Bicycle Club's third annual tournament (September 16–19) listing all 36 races across four days with prize values totalling $8,000, entry fees, and race conditions; also reports Burnham's new Chestnut Hill Reservoir record of 3m. 23s., results from Boston and Providence race meetings, and the founding of San Francisco's Pioneer Cinder Track Association.
- Club news reporting the reorganization of the Quaker City Bicycle Club and plans for an Atlantic City tournament, the Boston Ramblers drill squad's new composition, and the Holyoke Bicycle Club's new headquarters in the Hadley Falls Bank building with twenty members and sixty-five wheels in the town.
- American and Canadian Division announcements listing provisional membership elections including Burley B. Ayers of Chicago and several Eastern members, a new repairer appointment for Buffalo, and reminders about the autumn Wheel Around the Hub tour in October.
- Calendar of forthcoming bicycle events from August 11 through September 24, including the Boston Club tricycle race, Pittsfield and Louisville tournaments, Cleveland Ohio Division meet, Buffalo race meeting, Hartford, Albany, Philadelphia, and Springfield tournaments.