The Springfield Wheelmen's Gazette, Vol 2, No 2
Articles in this issue
- The editors of the Gazette tout the quality of the paper's typography, paper stock, and printing, provided by the Dickinson Type Foundry, George R. Dickinson & Co., and the Springfield Printing Company, and invite cycling correspondents nationwide to submit news.
- Reprinting a Providence Journal essay on the American tendency to overwork and extravagant recreation, the editors argue that cycling uniquely liberates wheelmen from the dictates of fashion, allowing cheap and wholesome touring.
- A letter from President Arthur's private secretary confirms a special White House appointment for 62 members of the Springfield Bicycle Club and L.A.W. officers, during which champion George Hendee was introduced to President Arthur.
- A survey of current cycling periodicals—The Bicycling World, The Cycle, Outing and The Wheelman, The Wheel World, the Yale Cyclist, the Cleveland Mercury, the Western Cyclist, the Canadian Wheelman, and British weeklies—praising their generally dignified character.
- A critical account of the L.A.W. annual meeting in Washington (May 19–20), judging it a failure for wheelmen at large: the Missouri State Division voted to withdraw, old members are deserting, and the editors call for electing officers who truly represent the membership.
- A whimsical set of numerical comparisons showing that a watch balance wheel completes the equivalent of 586,716 miles a year and that the metal in a 60-inch bicycle wheel, if drawn into watch hairspring wire, would be worth $1,345,220.
- A biographical tribute to William V. Gilman of Nashua, N.H., detailing his two terms as L.A.W. treasurer (elected unanimously in 1882 and 1883) and his decision to retire from the office at the Washington meeting.
- A lively series of brief anecdotes and observations from the L.A.W. Washington meet—covering the parade, the Springfield Club's visit to President Arthur, amusing incidents at the St. Marc Hotel, and the work of the Washington Cycle Club.
- An optimistic editorial (reprinted from Bicycling World) arguing that tricycle sales and road sightings are increasing rapidly, that dealer demand is strong, and that the tricycle benefits both the trade and the sport.
- Letters from W.O. Owen of the Laramie Bicycle Club (describing the first bicycle tour of Yellowstone National Park and plans for a Colorado tour), F.J. Richardson of Minneapolis (on organising L.A.W. membership in Minnesota), a Cleveland correspondent (on the new Athletic Park track), and 'Budgie' of Lancaster, Pa. (on the club's reorganisation).
- The editors respond to 'Gypsy' with a verse summary of her poem 'A Morning Ride,' advise T.R.C. to seek reader-submitted route notes from Springfield to Providence, and decline to recommend a specific bicycle make to H.F.D.
- A note (reprinted from The Cyclist, London) arguing against relying on gongs to clear pedestrians, illustrated by an anecdote of an Exmouth schoolmaster whose gong scared off a bull that had just gored a local resident.
- A report on the city weigher of Salem, paralysed in both legs for fifteen years, who became an able tricyclist and rides to and from his office daily, having recently completed an 8-mile trip to Swampscott.
- A broad miscellany of brief cycling items: Prince beating Woodside in a 10-mile race at Washington, college bicycle records (Hamilton of Yale, Reed of Columbia), the Hamilton Park track survey confirming Hendee's and Frazier's times, and numerous club and trade notes from across the U.S. and England.
- Club news from Cheyenne (semi-annual elections and a 'May Party' at Library Hall), Nashville Bicycle Club (reorganisation of officers), Kings County Wheelmen of Brooklyn (upcoming race meeting), the Marblehead Club's skating-rink exhibition, and briefer items on clubs from Albany, Worcester, Rutland, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and others.
- Officer lists for newly elected or re-elected clubs including Brattleboro Cycle Club, Canandaigua Bicycle Club, Cayuga Bicycle Club, Connecticut Bicycle Club, Crescent Bicycle Club (Chattanooga), Dakota Bicycle Club, and many others across the U.S. and Canada.
- A humorous anecdote reprinted from the Reading (Pa.) Exchange about a Reading Bicycle Club member who collided with a wayward cow on Third Street, sending the rider over the animal while both the bicycle and the cow escaped unhurt.
- Short notes including L.A.W. financial figures, Dan O'Leary's horseback ride versus Albert Flock's 611-mile bicycle ride in the same time, Fred Wood's professional training on the Crystal Palace track, and miscellaneous English and American cycling curiosities.
- Full results of the L.A.W. annual championship races at Athletic Park, Washington (25-mile won by Charles Frazier, 1-mile by Geo. M. Hendee), Capital Bicycle Club races, the Surrey Bicycle Club spring meeting at Kennington Oval (H.F. Wilson), Yale Athletic Association, Columbia College, and Yale Bicycle Club meetings.
- A detailed review of the 'Canadian Wheelmen's Association Guide Book' (120 pages, edited by H.B. Donly, W.G. Eakins, and S.J. Brierly), praising its road descriptions and hotel directory while noting gaps in Maritime Province coverage and proof-reading lapses.
- An account of the Springfield Bicycle Club's third anniversary banquet at the Warwick Hotel on May 6, attended by nearly 80 wheelmen; W.V. Gilman, Stephen Terry, and others responded to toasts, with F.A. Egan of the Ixion Club of New York serving as toastmaster.
- A report on the National Association of Amateur Athletes' special meeting (New York, May 24) debating a revised definition of 'amateur' to address competitors who sell or pawn prizes, the matter being referred to a special committee.
- A preview of the Kings County Wheelmen's (Brooklyn) second annual race meeting on June 21 at the Williamsburgh Athletic Club's five-lap track, noting the club's growth from 11 to 40 harmonious members and the quality of the venue and medals.