The Wheel: Journal of Bicycling, Vol 11, No 7
Articles in this issue
- The weekly news department covers a wide range of cycling items, including Kennedy Child joining Pope Manufacturing, W.D. Wilmot's theatrical fancy-riding exhibitions paying up to $100 per night, S.G. Whittaker's ambitions for a 20-miles-per-hour road record, Ah Long's wire-riding unicycle act booked for London, and a review of the English racing season praising Furnivall, Osmond, Gatehouse, and Speechly.
- Stillman G. Whittaker rode a 51-inch American Champion solo on a straight surveyed road at Crawfordsville, Indiana, covering 50 miles in 2:55:46½—beating Geo. Weber's American record by nine minutes and Gelding's English record by eleven—and 100 miles in 6:43:59, knocking McCurdy's existing record by over an hour.
- Letter from W.C. Herring of the Ixion B.C. proposes striking from the amateur definition the clause prohibiting amateurs from competing with professionals, arguing the change would increase public interest, eliminate disguised 'Makers' Amateurs,' and align cycling with cricket, football, and baseball, while still permitting clubs to offer amateur-only events.
- Full race report on the second N.Y. and N.J. Inter-Club Road Championship held on Election Day over the 25-mile Irvington–Milburn course, won by H.J. Hall Jr. of the Kings County Wheelmen in 1:37:12½, with Kings County taking the perpetual challenge cup on 66 points ahead of the Ilderan Bicycle Club on 46.
- Essay reprinted from The Cyclist arguing that cyclists develop powerful legs and loins but neglect their chests and arms from crouching over handlebars, and urging sculling as the ideal complementary exercise to build the upper body equally and equably.
- Alfred A. McCurdy of the Lynn Cycle Club rode 305 miles in 24 hours on a surveyed 50-mile road stretch on a 48-inch Light Roadster, covering 100 miles in 6:26:00 and 200 miles in 13:40:15, beating all of Harris's road records.
- Humorous column by 'The Owl' comments on McCurdy's record displacing Whittaker's, the Kings County Wheelmen capturing the Alphabetical Association cup for the second time, and the League presidency speculation surrounding Geo. R. Bidwell.
- Humorous poem by 'The Welsher,' reprinted from Wheeling, in which the narrator recalls easily outpacing a slow rival on the road to Ditton and laments never finding so obliging a 'mug' again.
- Report on L.A.W.-sanctioned bicycle races at the Georgia State Fair in Atlanta on October 29–30, where C.H. Dillingham of Columbus dominated, winning the quarter-mile dash (45s.), the two-mile Georgia State Championship (6:45), and the ten-mile open (3:10), while R.A. Brantly of Macon won the 20-mile Georgia State Championship in 1:19:53.
- Account of the Nassau Wheelmen's club run from Brooklyn to Hempstead on Election Day, during which poor road conditions forced the party onto sidewalks as far as Jamaica, the W.C.T.U. provided refreshments, and several members took headers over ditches and fences before the return to Brooklyn at 6 p.m.
- Letter from 'Southerner' in Memphis reports on local debate over whether Rowe or Hendee is the faster rider, recounts the disruptive visit of James Purvis Bruce—who was arrested for parading in full cowboy regalia including a navy revolver—and notes the cycling club's track being put out of action by a dispute with the local baseball club.
- Humorous essay reprinted from Bicycling News anticipates the coming winter cycling social season, satirising the predictable club dinners, the singers performing 'The Death of Nelson,' the recitors of 'Christmas Day in the Workhouse,' and the banjoists twangling accompaniments to 'What Cheer, 'Ria?'