The Wheel: Journal of Bicycling, Vol 7, No 19
Articles in this issue
- The editors advocate for holding the sixth annual League of American Wheelmen meet in Buffalo on July 2–3, and urge the upcoming Board of Officers spring meeting in New York to reform the consular system and publish all proposed rule changes in advance.
- Boston correspondent reports on the new board of the Boston Bicycle Club, Boston consul A. L. Atkins's forthcoming route-based road book covering Cambridge, Lexington, Concord and the coast, and a preview of the new Columbia tricycle model for 1885.
- Karl Kron reports on the return of C. H. Lamson and other members of the Elwell Bermuda touring party, details Dr. H. Jarvis's 1,500-mile 1883 tour from St. Paul to Baltimore, and shares road reports from Fred T. Merrill (San Francisco to Reno over the Sierra Nevada) and J. D. Talbott of the Rock City Bicycle Club in Nashville.
- A short comic poem by Fred T. Merrill praising the bicycle as a tireless steed that consumes no feed, never tires, takes no cold and cannot catch the epizootic.
- The Ixion Club of New York elects a new board including President O. G. Moses and Captain Will R. Pitman; the Capital Club of Washington celebrates its sixth anniversary with a cycling-themed novelty dinner menu at Willard's Hotel.
- New York correspondent 'X. Y. Z.' covers the Ixion Club's new officers after President Egan steps down, the Citizens Bicycle Club's billiard table and planned second annual race meeting at the Knickerbocker Roller Rink on April 17, new Park Commissioner badge examinations for unattached riders, and the opening of the New York Athletic Club-house.
- A Kentucky wheelman, signing 'Norb,' recounts racing his lamp-less bicycle ahead of a violent thunderstorm across thirty miles of open road at dusk, fearing his nickeled backbone would draw lightning before he reached shelter at a familiar hotel.
- Correspondent 'Tertius' offers a satirical survey of bicycle club archetypes — the club liar, the contrary member, the club kid, the doubting member, and the grumbler — with particular reference to the Weedsport Bicycle Club.
- A formal protest is being lodged with the L. A. W. Racing Board against C. C. Philbrick of the Chicago Bicycle Club, alleging that as a member of the Le Grand Polo Club he played polo against teams containing professional roller skaters; L. W. Conkling and N. H. Van Sicklen bring it as a test case (with comment reprinted from the Mirror of American Sports).
- Correspondent 'Pedibus' takes Karl Kron to task for occupying excessive column space promoting his unfinished book, urges clearer marketing of the Duryea road saddle, defends Webber of Smithville, N. J. against Van Sicklen's Chicago Christmas-race win, and recalls buying 'Secretary's' old machine 'Bohunkus.'
- A member of the Pawtucket Bicycle Club, signing 'Bicycler,' describes a fifty-mile road ride from Boston's Vendome Hotel through Milton, Blue Hill, South Canton (Cobb's Tavern), Mansfield and East Attleboro to Pawtucket, ending the last eight miles by moonlight.
- A scientific argument (reprinted from the Bicycle South) that wire crystallises and fails under repeated vibration, holding that lighter tangential spokes shed one by one while heavier direct spokes buckle and throw the rider, and noting tangential wheels are now tied or brazed at the crossings.
- The Kenton Wheel Club's resolutions of January 29, 1885, endorsing the L. A. W. and National Association of Amateur Athletes amateur rules, quoting the League's nine-point definition of an amateur, and warning members not to compete with professional skaters or riders in public contests.
- A budget of trade and sport notes: the special April number opening Volume 8 with Frank H. Taylor illustrations, the Citizens Bi. Club's April 17 race meeting, the Robinson championship-medal dispute, W. J. Morgan's loyalty to the Rudge, the English 'Safety' race between Engleheart and Gibb, the Ariel Wheel Club of Poughkeepsie's tournament with George E. Hutchinson, and Pennsylvania passing New York in L. A. W. membership.
- Short listings of current New York theatre productions including Lawrence Barrett as Cassius in Julius Caesar at the Star Theatre, 'The Private Secretary' at the Madison Square, 'Apajune' at the Casino, and reduced prices at the Union Square Theatre.