The Bicycling World, Vol 9, No 25
Articles in this issue
- Wide-ranging editorial covering George Hendee's new American quarter-mile record, the reappearance of an old two-wheeled velocipede on Boston streets, the Facile's new 24-hour distance record of 266.5 miles, the growing normalcy of ladies on tricycles, the Jenkins controversy, and English riders' misidentification of tandem tricycle races at Springfield.
- H.B. Smith Machine Co. of Smithville, New Jersey, writes to confirm they have complete plans and full-size experimental models of a Star bicycle driven by elliptical rotary foot motion (adjustable in size and angle) instead of the standard lever system, and that the inventor will bring it to market at a propitious time.
- President Bates of Detroit describes how his wife's dress was twice caught in the pedal-shaft chain gear of their tricycle, tearing fabric and distorting the wire guard; he replaced it with a home-made sheet-brass shield extended below the gear wheel and enamelled black, entirely preventing further entanglement at a cost of about $1.00.
- W.V. Gilman raises eight pointed questions for the ex-corresponding secretary of the L.A.W. about unexplained discrepancies in office expenses, postage charges, and the Wheel newspaper contract during the previous League year, inviting public scrutiny of the accounts.
- Fre. Swain of Indianapolis confirms the practice of cutting two inches from the front of a Victor saddle and lacing it to remove slack, which he has used for nearly a year, and adds a tip on jerking the front wheel over narrow stone gutters to avoid the double thud.
- 'Eph' of the St. Louis Ramblers responds to a Peoria correspondent's jibes by issuing an open challenge: any cyclist from any city who can follow a squad of Ramblers up 'Corey Hill' (1,100 feet, a fair sample of St. Louis grades) will have railroad fare, hotel bills, and a medal paid for by the club.
- George D. Gideon explains why he sent a race-board notification telegram to Jenkins rather than directly to contestant Badeau — Jenkins was the most likely person to be on the grounds — and warns the new N.A.A.A.A. chairman that League business should not be subordinated to the interests of the N.A.
- 'Royal Mail' of Boston humorously suggests that the proof reader should have toned down Jenkins's abusive language in his published letter to H.S. Kidder, offering gentler substitute phrases, then adds a practical note opposing the campaign to force the Boston and Albany Railroad to carry tricycles in baggage cars.
- Guidance for cyclists completing their first road season, covering correct wheel size selection relative to leg length, seat position and posture, the progression from one-handed riding to hands-off balance, coasting technique, back-pedal braking, and basic machine care — concluding that six months of careful practice should give full control.
- Mr. Adams on a Facile bicycle covered 266.5 miles in 24 hours on 3 October, setting a new long-distance record for the bicycle; Mr. Oxborrow started with him and covered 234 miles before retiring.
- An English correspondent reports that a couple arrived at a Lincolnshire seaside church on a tandem tricycle in cycling dress, were married, and rode away; the story prompts a suggestion that bridesmaids and groomsmen might attend in the same style, reprinted from the Sheffield Independent.
- Six members of the Cambridge Bicycle Club completed a 101–102 mile century on Sunday, riding to Salem and back twice plus a leg to Wellesley, in 9h 55m of actual riding time, with Fred W. Haarty first home at 6.30 p.m.
- The Buffalo Bicycle Club's history from its founding on Washington's Birthday 1879 with three charter members to its current eighty members: four annual tournaments, a winter entertainment with Canary and Pressey, a drill corps, and a notably active touring year in 1884 with riders at Springfield, Toronto, Washington, and the Kennebec tour.
- Miscellaneous notes including the Ixion Club's election-day road race to Yonkers, a Chelsea tricycle run with three lady riders and two clergymen, the Bangor tournament and Pine Tree Wheel Club room dedication, E.H. Corson's solo ascent of Corey Hill, and a fatal bicycle-pedestrian accident on Dorchester Avenue.
- Technical discussion of hollow-rim and spoke construction in high-wheel bicycles, examining how hollow rims distribute spoke tension, the advantages of tangent spokes crossing twice, and the trade-offs between weight saving and structural rigidity on road machines.
- Race results from the week of 24 October 1884, including results from the Franklin Park meeting in Lynn and other late-season events across New England.
- Club news including the Boston Ramblers' absence from Reservoir gatherings since their disbandment, the Boston Club's 'Alleged Minstrels' reunion, and plans for a ladies' night and Thanksgiving closing run.
- Cyclists' Touring Club American Division news, including the danger-sign fund (reached $12) and a note that none of the League's past financial rescuers appear among the contributors.
- Brief editorial responses to letter writers, explaining why certain correspondence has been held or declined and noting the editor's policy on contested topics.