The Wheel: Journal of Bicycling, Vol 2, No 14
Articles in this issue
- A column of short cycling news items covering the L.A.W. annual meet being awarded to Chicago, an upcoming two-mile handicap bicycle race at the Manhattan Athletic Club grounds, Recording Secretary S. T. Clark's European trip to import English bicycles, the Park case hearing postponed by Judge Lawrence, Schuyler & Duane's new "American Club" roadster and Cheylesmore tricycles, and a subscription-renewal appeal to League members whose first-year terms expire with this issue.
- A lively narrative of the first club run of the 1882 season by the G. Bi. C. through Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, past Lemon Hill, Strawberry Hill and the Falls, with comic vignettes of members including Captain Noslew, ex-captain Bings, road-rider Wellop and Cottonlipp on his ancient Royal Challenge, ending with catfish and waffles.
- A detailed road guide by Capt. C. W. F. for cyclists touring Kentucky from Frankfort southward via Lawrenceburg to Harrodsburg, then through Perryville, Lebanon, Campbellsville, Danville, Lancaster, Richmond and Lexington toward Mammoth Cave, with notes on road surfaces, hills, distances and where fellow wheelmen can be met for the planned June 10 trip.
- A letter from the Montreal Bicycle Club reporting its newly adopted uniform (a stiffened fore-and-after cap, patrol jacket, knee-breeches and blue stockings) and the purchase of a $13,000 club house, with an opening meet planned for Good Friday, April 7th.
- An editorial by associate editor Julius Wilcox (signed J.W.) arguing that the best wheel size is the smallest that allows the rider sufficient leg clearance under the handles, debunking the fashionable "big wheel" vanity, and noting that tricycles and safety bicycles have proved faster in practice than theory predicted.
- Full minutes of the March 29, 1882 League of American Wheelmen directors' meeting at the Metropolitan Hotel, chaired by President Charles E. Pratt, covering the treasurer's report ($408.79 balance), professional-rider definitions including the Atkins case, the Racing Committee's report recommending a permanent Racing Board in Boston, new state directors, and the unanimous vote to hold the annual meet in Chicago on May 30th.
- A report on the Kings County Wheelmen's first annual dinner and reception on March 17, 1882 in Brooklyn, with speeches by Alderman Dimon, Howard Conkling of the New York Bicycle Club, ex-Judge A. H. Dailey and Rev. Almon Gunnison, letters of regret from President Charles E. Pratt and Mayor Seth Low, and a riding exhibition by Fred. Jenkins of the Manhattan Club and Will. R. Pitman of the Lone Star Club.
- Race report from the Seventh Regiment Armory's annual athletic games in New York before a crowd of over three thousand, where a three-mile bicycle race was run in heats; J. N. Stearns of Co. I won the final in 10 minutes 18.5 seconds, defeating Frank E. Davidson (10:45.75) and A. Le Due, while F. C. Thomas was excluded from the final after breaking spokes in a pole foul.
- The concluding articles and by-laws of the proposed new League of American Wheelmen constitution drafted by G. F. C. Smillie of Plainfield, N.J., covering election procedures for the Executive Committee, state commanders, directors and consuls, members' privileges including the free League organ, amendment rules requiring a two-thirds vote of state commanders, and draft by-laws on initiation fees, $2 annual dues and expense arrangements.