The Wheel World, Vol 3, No 14
Articles in this issue
- Traces rival claims to inventing the bicycle, weighing Edward Gilman's 1866 Wandsworth patent and Pierre Lallement's Paris/New Haven patent against earlier French velocipede makers Michaux, Vincent and Jacquier.
- By "Nemo, K.C.B.": a discussion of clubs that restrict membership by social class, weighing the arguments for and against exclusive "class clubs" within bicycling.
- Reports James M. Sellers, the B.T.C.'s Consul for Westminster, launching a new series of consular road guides, beginning with an Eastern English District handbook of bye-laws, hotels and routes.
- A chatty editorial musing on the season's unpredictable weather and the return of fine spring touring conditions after a run of mixed springs.
- A letter from Calcutta describing the poor state of bicycling in India, a feeble race meeting held by the Bally Gunge C.C., and a misadventured night ride to Samnuggur that ended with a collision with a native pedestrian.
- By "Faed": a comic song, set to the tune of "A Policeman's Lot" from The Pirates of Penzance, cataloguing the mishaps that beset a club captain on a run.
- A full-page illustrated cartoon caricaturing the various riding styles and postures affected by bicyclists of the day.
- Club notes on the Liverpool Wanderers' fishing trip to North Wales, the Mildmay's Easter exploration of the Isle of Thanet, and the Highgate, Brighton Rovers and Silver Cross clubs joining the Bicycle Union.
- By "a Tricyclist": a comic account of a novice's first run to Tally-ho Corner with the Tricycle Association, riding among "Adonis" Baker, Lacy Hillier and Hindley "the apostle of the Devon", and being startled by the noise of the Devon tricycles' brakes.
- By Henry Sturmey: an illustrated review of new machines opening with Settle & Co.'s Fleet Bicycle of the Fleet Works, Coventry.
- A reader's letter on steering an Excelsior tricycle one-handed, notes on the Tricycle Association's meet at Ealing Common, and John Browning's remarks on reducing tricycle weight.
- American notes on the League of American Wheelmen's Boston meet, the Bicycling World splitting from Archery reporting, Philip T. Timpson's Amateur 100 Mile Championship challenge, and the Montreal Bicycle Club's third annual meeting under captain Chas. J. Sidey.
- West of England notes signed "Spanks, jun." on the Wells B.C.'s run to St. Thomas' Vicarage, the Taunton B.C.'s new race track opening, and the Bournemouth and Plymouth Whit Monday meets.
- Irish notes opening with the Richmond (Belfast) Bicycle Club's officers under captain Frank Brill, and continuing with the Third Annual General Bicycle Meet of Ireland at Phoenix Park, Dublin.
- Racing notes on the Surrey B.C.'s successful meeting and Hillier's form on a heavy course, the Leeds Crescent Club's new cinder path at the New Peacock Grounds, and the Essex Tricycle Club's unsuccessful Alexandra Palace venture.
- An illustrated cartoon feature, followed by a Reviews column noting "Bab Yardley"'s musical sketch "He Would Be a Bicyclist", reprinted from Cycling's Christmas number.
- A tabulated round-up of handicap and scratch race results held across the country during May, including meetings of the Surrey B.C. at Kennington Oval and the London A.C. at Stamford Bridge.
- Press digest touching on Professor Everett's 1,000-mile tour of the North of England on an Xtraordinary tricycle, the campaign against betting at race meetings, and excursions reported by the Belgian Bicycle Club de Bruxelles.
- Midlands notes on an inter-club meet at Iron Cross organised by F. Howard-Warner of the Redditch, preparations for the Leamington Whit Monday meet, and the new Midlands rider Hembrough.
- A letter from H. H. Turner, Sub-Captain of the Melbourne Bicycle Club, describing bicycling conditions in Australia, the club's sixty-five members, and the popularity of Singer's machines there.
- A touring diary of two Imperial B.C. members' ride from Eltham to Newhaven and crossing to Dieppe, recounting their reception by Monsieur Parkinson of the Velocipede Club Dieppois and delays clearing their machines through French customs.
- Explains why the West Kent rejoined the Union, reports a Bicycle Union memorial to the Parliamentary Select Committee on railway charges, and lists the championship venues fixed at Leicester and Surbiton.
- Reviews the postponed Hampton Court Meet, attended by 1,702 clubmen including riders from as far as Bristol and Sleaford, and previews Metropolitan racing news to come under "Gravel and Cinders."