The Wheel: Journal of Bicycling, Vol 11, No 17
Articles in this issue
- A letter from Charles J. Scherer of Memphis, Tenn. advocates a pedal-mount technique — removing the step, leading with the left foot, and using a skip to seat oneself — arguing it eliminates the forward lunge and header risk promoted by other correspondents.
- Season mileage table for members of the Union County Wheelmen of Westfield, N.Y., May 1 to November 1, 1886; Frank S. Miller led with 2,675 miles out of a club total of 23,088.
- A humorous anecdote signed "Harlemite" about Mr. E. Irving Halsted of New York accidentally carrying his cycling stockings draped over both shoulders into a Sunday church service, causing the congregation to collapse in laughter.
- The editor comments on the L.A.W. Executive Board meeting as the most important in League history, describing the Aaron-versus-reform battle, the Bulletin's concealed financial losses, and Secretary-Editor Aaron's conduct, and calls on non-subscribers to support the paper.
- Comprehensive two-day report on the L.A.W. Board meeting at the Grand Union Hotel, New York, January 17–18, 1887: the credential dispute over Aaron's thirteen uninstructed proxies, the Executive Committee's disclosure of $5,900 missing from the Bulletin accounts, Abbot Bassett's election as Secretary-Editor over John A. Wells by 85 votes to 51, unanimous censure of Aaron and Wells, and changes to the League constitution including quarterly balance-sheets and a revised amateur rule.
- Connecticut Bicycle Club news: a club run to New Britain for supper hosted by the local social club, the Hartford Wheel Club seeking incorporation, and Chief Consul C.G. Huntington's impending retirement after publishing the L.A.W. division circular.
- Cycling notes from Orange, N.J.: snowbound riders grumbling at idled wheels, the New Jersey Cycling and Athletic Association's directors' meeting over the Roseville grounds purchase, the Union County Wheelmen seeking a permanent club-room, and trial runs planned to select the club's team for the Irvington–Milburn road race.
- Report on the annual meeting of the Elizabeth Wheelmen held January 12, showing 65 members including eight ladies, with a full slate of officers elected for 1887 headed by President H.E. Duncan Jr.
- Western League members met in St. Louis on January 10 to finalise the L.A.W. annual meet programme for May 20–21, 1887, covering the Board meeting, annual parade to Forest Park, race meet, grand banquet at the Lindell Hotel, and a Sunday excursion to Clarksville for the fifty-mile road race.
- Minneapolis cycling correspondent reports plans for an amateur ten-hour championship of the Northwest at Washington Rink on February 15, with a $50 silver-cup first prize, and comments on actor Richard Mansfield's knee-breeches costume in "Prince Karl" as an inadvertent boost for rational cycling dress.
- Brief items: Richard Howell, the Rudge champion, was presented a silver tea service as a wedding gift by the Rudge works; the Chelsea Club chose five modest 50-cent suppers over one grand dinner; and Mrs. J.W. Smith of Orange rode 2,643.5 miles in 1886, largely on a Cunard tandem.
- Continuation of a serialised cycling tour through Ontario, Canada: the narrator rides from Kingston through Napanee and Belleville (escorted by local Ramblers), on through Port Hope, crosses to Niagara Falls and Lockport, covering some 250 miles of cycling before rain forces a train home from Lockport.
- Joshua Reynolds of Stockport submits three-year mileage tables for himself (5,035 miles, 1884–86) and Mrs. Joshua Reynolds (2,032 miles, including a 40-mile afternoon on an 83 lb. Columbia tricycle over hilly country roads), urging cycling papers to give more attention to lady riders.