The Springfield Wheelmen's Gazette, Vol 3, No 4
Articles in this issue
- Editorial arguing that public parks are legally the private property of the city and wheelmen ride in them by sufferance, using the fatal Prospect Park accident in Brooklyn as a case for moving cyclists from pedestrian paths to driveways; quotes an N.Y. Tribune piece on the proper place for the bicycle.
- Editorial responding to the Bicycling World's extreme stand on the amateur question, defending Springfield's practice of offering large prizes at its tournaments and questioning whether any racing man would travel long distances to race for prizes under $50.
- Editorial condemning the growing practice of manufacturers publishing private letters as testimonials without the writers' consent, naming several prominent wheelmen who have demanded their letters be withdrawn.
- Dispatch from British correspondent 'Waverley' covering H. R. Goodwin's 2,054-mile holiday ride on a Facile, the Lucas hub-lamp patent victory over Miller, the decline of dwarf safety bicycles, H. Etherington's label-sticking advertising scheme, the Hendee track-measurement controversy at Birmingham, the N.C.U. versus A.A.A. dispute, Mrs. Allen's 200-mile 24-hour tricycle record, Gosset's 231½-mile record, and detailed results of the N.C.U. bicycle and tricycle championships.
- Column of short cycling news items covering the Big Four tour, Abbot Bassett's Racing Board reappointment, Henry E. Ducker's Racing Board appointment, John S. Prince's planned appearance at Springfield, Cola Stone's complimentary dinner in St. Louis, the Cunningham Company's failure, and various race and club notes.
- Letters from readers comprising 'Hits and Hints' (M.D.) on advertising abuses and testimonials; Singer & Co.'s note on the Tandem Patent Case; and 'Coming to Their Senses' (Don Quixote, Fort Wayne) on the big-wheel craze ending and the difficulty of repairing over-complicated modern machines.
- Hartford correspondent previews the Connecticut Bicycle Club's second annual race meeting at Charter Oak Park, September 2–3, describing the prize list including Columbia two-track tricycles and Colt rifles, assurances from professionals to break 2:39 in the one-mile, and arrangements for visiting English riders led by H. Etherington.
- Singer & Co. letter calling for manufacturers to stamp certified actual weights on machines and questioning whether the astonishing low weights claimed in cycle catalogues are calculated on a standard 16-ounce pound.
- Detailed description of the Springfield Bicycle Club's Hampden Park half-mile bicycle track, explaining its construction from equal parts clay and screened gravel, the solid wood curb pole, and the nightly watering-and-rolling preparation routine used before race meetings.
- Interview with Mr. J. Block of St. Petersburg and Moscow, the pioneer of cycling in Russia, describing how he introduced Columbia bicycles in 1881, formed clubs in both cities despite police and government obstacles, and organized race meetings at St. Petersburg and Moscow drawing over 30,000 spectators each; notes approximately 1,000 riders in Russia including members of the Imperial family.
- Short international news items including Prince Alphonse of Portugal ordering a bicycle, Richard Howell challenging J. S. Prince for a one-mile race giving 25 yards, Gosset's new 24-hour tricycle record of 231½ miles on a Marriott & Cooper machine, and a breakdown of machines used on the Big Four tour.
- Club notes covering the Weedsport Bicycle Club's second annual tournament, the Berkshire County Wheelmen's races at Pittsfield, the Springfield Bicycle Club's tournament lithograph featuring portraits of Hendee, Prince, Sellers, Howell, and others, and club election results for Bay City, Bijou, Genesee, Lynn, Monson, Kennebec County, and Wakefield clubs.
- Calendar of coming events from August through October 1885, followed by detailed results from the Fort Schuyler Wheelmen's meet (June 30–July 1), the Canadian Wheelmen's Association meet at Woodstock (July 2), and the Buffalo Bicycle Club's L.A.W. championship meet (July 3) where George M. Hendee won the one-mile bicycle championship in 2:44.
- Reports on the N.C.U. 25-mile professional championship won by F. Wood over R. Howell in 1h. 26m. 18s. at Aylestone Road; the 50-mile amateur championship at Crystal Palace won by R. H. English; the 25-mile tricycle championship won by G. Gatehouse; and detailed heat-by-heat account of the one-mile tricycle championship won by P. Furnivall after a dead-heat with P. T. Letchford; followed by the one-hour safety bicycle match in which Grose beat Battensby covering 19 miles 215 yards.
- Touring narrative by 'Stamson' of a ride from Stamford, Ct. to Buffalo for the L.A.W. meet, then by train to Erie and bicycle through Pennsylvania and Ohio to Ashtabula with two hospitable Erie wheelmen (Fairbairn and Stafford), followed by nostalgic visits to Saybrook and the Pymatuning valley.
- Local notes from 'Stamson' on the Stamford Wheel Club's recent activities including a lantern parade, new Victor and Columbia light roadster purchases, a run to Coney Island, and praise for the Gazette's reception during the Buffalo meet.
- Account of the L.A.W. 'Big Four' tour's second week, in which about a hundred cyclists travelled from the Thousand Islands through Amsterdam, Albany, and the Hudson Valley to New York City, with episodes including an improvised skating-rink drill at Alexandria Bay, a cowbell parade through Amsterdam, a dinner at the Rhinebeck young ladies' seminary arranged after a hotel tried to double its price, and a near-disaster with a cannon fired in welcome.
- Ernest Rideout's account of cycling with his brother Walter from San Francisco via Sacramento and Stockton to Yosemite Valley in April 1885 on an Expert and a President bicycle, covering 369 total miles, including wading three streams, deep snow on the summit, a broken backbone repaired by a valley blacksmith, and the view of Bridal Veil Falls.
- Dr. H. L. Mundy's touring account of cycling from Williamsport through Ralston, Canton, Towanda, Sayre, and Ithaca, describing the Sayre Lehigh Valley Railroad locomotive works, Bradford County farmland, and a warm reception from the Cornell University Bicycle Club at Ithaca.
- Report on the Ohio Division L.A.W. meet at Springfield, Ohio, July 20–21, covering League business chaired by T. J. Kirkpatrick, a hill-climbing contest won by W. H. Wetmore over Ward B. Perley, race results with Karl A. Pardee winning the state championship, and 'Wilhelm's' sub-report on bicycling to Gen. Grant's birthplace at Point Pleasant, Ohio.
- Classified advertisement column offering second-hand and new bicycles from Springfield-area dealers and private sellers, including Expert Columbias, Harvard, Rudge, Royal Mail, Victor, Star, Sanspareil, and British Challenge machines at prices ranging from $25 to $150.