The Springfield Wheelmen's Gazette, Vol 3, No 6
Articles in this issue
- The Gazette recalls its 1884 prediction that a 2:30 mile would be ridden at Hampden Park, now fulfilled by Richard Howell's 2:31 2/5 record at the Springfield tournament; reprints the Springfield Daily Union's account of the race.
- Rev. Charles Van Norden of North Church, Springfield preached a sermon using the bicycle tournament as a metaphor for the Christian race, comparing riders' discipline and competition to moral striving.
- The Gazette responds to the London Cyclist's editorial doubting the authenticity of Springfield's timing, quoting Harry Etherington of Wheeling as endorsing the accuracy of the recorded times.
- Obituary for Cola E. Stone, a 22-year-old St. Louis wheelman and leading amateur racer, who died by suicide shortly after competing at the Springfield tournament.
- Overview of the fourth annual Springfield Bicycle Club tournament reprinted from the Mirror of American Sports, noting that English riders dominated proceedings while setting multiple new world records.
- Letter from 'Waverley' in Barnstaple, Devon reporting British cyclists' reactions to the Springfield results and describing plans for a new track at Weston-super-Mare.
- Short cycling news column covering the significance of Springfield's new records, commentary on riders, and miscellaneous cycling items from across the country.
- Extended news column with notes on prominent riders, club activities, and cycling industry developments gathered from correspondents and the cycling press.
- Local club correspondence from Stamford, Connecticut, covering the Solitary Club's activities and noting that Wilbur Lewis has acquired a new Rudge Safety bicycle.
- News from the Detroit Bicycle Club, reporting L.D. Munger's new 24-hour road record and plans for a spring race meet in the city.
- Ohio cycling news covering the Toledo Bicycle Club and full results from the Cleveland Bicycle Club's August 27–28 race meeting, with detailed event-by-event outcomes.
- Reader letters including a tour account from Long Plain, Mass. to Boston, a letter querying machine-record advertising practices, and notes from correspondents in Reading, PA and San Francisco on cycling in Germany.
- Club news reporting the Chicago Bicycle Track Association's October race programme and the Berkshire County Wheelmen's entertainment evening in Pittsfield.
- Formal resolution of the Missouri Bicycle Club mourning the death of Cola E. Stone, adopted at a club meeting and forwarded to his family.
- Humorous poem by T.W.E. weaving the names of bicycle brands — Victor, Safety, Royal Mail, Columbia, Rudge, and others — into an extended romantic allegory.
- Detailed results from ten race meetings across the country, including the Pennsylvania Division L.A.W. meet at Scranton, Cleveland Bicycle Club, Hartford Bicycle Club, Troy (N.Y.) Bicycle Club, and Providence (R.I.) Bicycle Club, among others.
- Full race-by-race report of the fourth annual Springfield Bicycle Club tournament (Sept. 8–10, 1885) at Hampden Park, covering every event with times, record tables, and prize summaries; English riders Wood, Howell, Webber, and Furnivall set multiple world records.
- Report on the Third Annual Meet of the New York State Division L.A.W., hosted by the Kings County Wheelmen in Brooklyn, featuring a 316-machine parade and race results at the Williamsburgh Athletic Club grounds.
- Account of the first annual reunion dinner of Down-East touring cyclists held at Springfield during the tournament, with toasts and the presentation of a diamond pin to tour organiser F.A. Elwell.
- Excerpts and commentary from other cycling and sporting publications — including Wheeling, Wheel Life, N.E. Homestead, Cycling Record, and Sporting Life — on the Springfield tournament results and their significance.