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^	•tiVDUflMKT PRDfTOtO OmcM 11 8620

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The Wheel

^ yottrnal of Bicycling.

Vol. I. No. I.]

NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 25, 1880.

[Price Five Cents.

CONTENTS

Advertisements - - -

Editorial . . .

League of American Wlieelmen Rates and Terms Personal . . .

Pickings and Stealings

ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AS SECOND CLASS MATTER.

Fred Jenkins - - Edit07- and Proprietoi-

M. Lazare --------- Associate Editor

C. Otto Manny -------- Business Manager

PICKINGS AND STEALINGS

Now send along your subscriptions.

The latest — The Garfield Club on wheels.

Who wants to

join ,

Have you seen the new hub lamp made by McKee & Har- rington,

From Jersey — Say, Mister, where do you keep the key it is wound up with.

We were obliged to employ two policemen to keep our subscribers in line the other day.

Mr. Wm. M. Wright is now prepared to give away 5,000 bicycles. Be sure and get one, as they are going like hot cakes.

Those who are on the look out for a good machine will find a bargain in the 54 inch Harvard, advertised in another column.

Don't fail to go to the races at the Polo Grounds, iioth street and Sixth avenue, on Saturday, October 2, 1880, at 2.-30 P. M.

It has struck us forcibly (in the vicinity of the left eye) that something should be done to the young rascals, who de- light in throwing stones at wheelmen on Fifth avenue.

The last number of the Bicycling World contained the fol- lowing : "Mr. Pitman took his usual gait in the New York press, and found a competitor too Manny for him." It was probably the Pratt-le of the World that settled him.

One of the wits of the day asks if the Prophet Ezekiel re- ferred at all to the bicycle when he saw " one wheel with one cherub, and another wheel with another cher.b" — an interest- ing conundrum to the drivers of spirited horses in the parks- Democratic political economists are urging Hancock to "go for" the oath on a bicycle, and thus illustrate the princi- ple of thrift so strongly promised in election times. One hitch in the wished for success of the party will thus be dissi- pated— the horse one, and at the same time the fence can be dispensed with.

The members of the bicycle clubs always date .heir letters "B. C." This will astonish future antiquarians.

" Law me,'' exclaimed an old lady yesterday as the Bicycle Club wheeled past, "theie's a lot of wheels running away with ihem young fellers."

A Cohasset bicycler leaned his bicycle against a hollow post containing a nest of bumble bees. After much trouble and some stings he recovered the machine with a rake.

In reference to the recent races at Worcester the Evening Gazette remarks that " Bicycle meets are likely to become a feature of agricultural shows. There were not a few men of experience; yesterday, who pronounced the races more excit- ing than horse trotting. The parade was picturesque beyond expectation.'

LEAGUE OF AMERICAN WHEELMEN.

A meeting of the officers and directors of the League of American Wheelmen was held in the Metropolitan Hotel, on Saturday, September 18. The league was organized in New- port, R. I , in May last, and a constitution was adopted. The meeting was chiefly for the purpose of deciding upon rules and electing standing committees. There were present. Pre- sident Charles E. Pratt, of Boston ; Commander C. K. Mun- roe, of New York ; Corresponding Secretary Albert S. Par- sons, of Cambridge ; Recording Secretary J. F. Burrill, of New York, and Treasurer Hugh L. Willoughby, of Saratoga. The Directors present were Max Hausman, of Washington, D. C; R. A. Fairfield, of Biddeford, Maine ; S. T. Clark, of Baltimore; Fred. S. Pratt, of Worcester, Mass.; E. C. Hodges, of Boston ; C. A. Hazlitt, of Portsmouth, N.H.; L. H. Johnson, of Orange. N. J.; A. Ely, Jr., of Cleveland, O.; and J. Peiinell, of Germantown, Pa.

THE WHEEL

The first business done was to fill vacancies in the Board of Directors in the States already represented in the Board. The question of electing directors for new States was laid over until the next meeting.

The following is a list of officers and the Board of Direc- tors for States as they now stand

OFFICERS FOR t88o-8i.

President — Charles E. Pratt, of Boston Vice-President — Thomas K. Longstreth, of Philadelphia. Commamier — C. K. Munroe, of New York. Corresponding Secretary — Albert S Parsons, of Camljridge. Recording Secretary — J. Frank Burrill, of New York. Treasurer — -Hugh L. WiUoughby, of Saratoga.

DIRECTORS BY STATES.

Calif ornia —G&oxge H. Strong and G. L. Cunningham, of San Francisco.

Canada — H. S. Tibbs, of Montreal, and S. McMichaels, of Brantford, Ontario.

Connecticut — S. A. Marsden, of New Haven, and T. B. Beach, of Hartford.

Dakota Territory — C. H. Cameron, of Yankton, and

District of Columbia — E. T. Dodge, of Arlington, and Max Hausman, of Washiui;ton.

Illinois — A. McClure, of Chicago, and H. G. Rouse, of Peoria,

Indiana — Harry Bates, of Indianapolis, and F. E. Perrin, of Lafayette.

Kentucky — O. W. Thomas, of Louisville, and S. S. Grif- fith, of Shelbyville.

Maine — C. H. Lamson, of Portland, and R. A. Fairfield, of Biddeford.

Maryland — S. T. Clark and Clymer White, of Baltimore,

Massachusetts — Fred S. Pratt, of Worcester, and E. C. Hodges, of Boston.

Michigan— Vix . E. B. Ward, of Detroit, and J. W. Phelps, of Grand Rapids.

Minnesota — C. J. Adams, of Minneapolis, and .

Missouri — G. F. Shepley, of St. Louis, and . A. Gifford of Edina.

New Hampshire — C. A. Hazlitt, of Portsmouth, and Ernest F. Peevey, of r'armington.

New Jersey — L. H. Johnson, of Orange, and J. Y. Clark, of Trenton.

Nero York — W. T. Gullen, of 15rooklyn, and J. G. Mon- roe, of Buffalo.

Ohio — A. Ely, Jr., of Cleveland, and A. S. Beiler, of Fos- toria.

Pennsylvania -Y\. J. Waring, of Pittsburg, and J. Pennell, of Germantown.

Rhode Island — F. H. Richmond, of Providence, and J. Nelson Howard, of Newport.

Vermont W. S. Underwood, of Brattleboro, and G. E. Styles.

Wisconsin .\. S. Hibbard, of Milwaukee, and Dr. Gifford, of Lacrosse.

The next order of business was the report of the Commit- tee on Ruios. In presenting it Mr. Pratt, the editor of the liicycling World, read the following address : To III,- HiMirdoI Offuas <f the /,, //. W.

The committee appointed on the 31st of May last to prepare a draft f)f by-laws or rules, to submit at the .September mcetin;;;, bete leave to report that they have attended to the cluty assij^ned them, and pre- sent herewith a draft of such rules as they think would l)e advisable for the Moard to adopt. In the judgment of the committee the rules

should define the duties of the officers with some degree of particu- larity, should provide for suitable committees, by which the work of the Board may be distributed and facilitated ; should define the privileges of members of the League, not only for other reasons, but also that the benefits of membership in the League may be apparent upon inspection of the rules ; they also recommend the appointment of consuls in the various towns where bicycling prevails, for the bet- ter carrying out of the objects of the League, and for securing its benefits more readily to members.

There was considerable discussion as to Rule g. The majority of the Committee of Rules were in favor of no proxies, and that every one must be present to have a vote. Mr. Parsons introduced a mi- nority report allowing clubs to send delegates to cast their votes. The minority report was adopted. Respectfully submitted,

Charles E. Pratt, E. C. Hodges,

Albert S. Parsons.

RULES.

Officers. — i. The President shall preside at all meetings of the League and of the Board of ofl5cers, when he is present ; shall ap- point all committees not elected by ballot, may fill pro tempore any va- cancy in any office or committee until the next ensuing business meet- ing of the Board ; shall exercise a general oversight in the affairs of the League, and shall make a report at its annual business meeting next subsequent to his election.

2. The Vice-President shall preside, when present, in the absence of the President, at all meetings of the League or of the Board, and perform in such absence all the necessary duties of the Presideut at the time; and in case of the death, resignation or removal of the President he shall be the acting President until the next annual elec- tion; and he shall appoint the judges at race meetings.

3. The Commander shall make, under direction of the Board, Suit- able arrangements and regulations for any parade, tour, excursion or race meeting of the League ; shall take command of the same, and shall appoint such aids and staff officers as he may deem expedient ; and shall make a report to the annual business meeting of the League next succeeding his election.

4. The Corresponding Secretary shall receive, cause to be published and transmit to the Membership Committee all applications for Mem- bership shall keep a registerof all applications and action thereon; shall receive and answer any correspondence with the members of the Board of Officers, and any appropriate correspondence with non-members of the League, and of the 1-ioard, and not generally under direction of the Board or of the President ; and shall submit a report at the next

I annual meeting of the League succeeding his election.

' 5. The Recording Secretary shall make and preserve appropriate records of all meetings of the League and of the Board of Officers; a list of all members and officers of the League, with notes of all the changes in the same : shall act as clerk to the Commander in respect to parades, tours, excursions and race meetings, and shall act (when present) as clerk of the course of the latter ; and he shall report to the Board of officers at their business meeting next preceding the next annual business meeting of the League after his election.

6. The Treasurer shall receive and be accountable for all member- ship and annual fees and other revenues of the League, shall keep suitable books of account thereof and of all disbursements, and shall (lay out of the funds of the League only upon order of the I'inance Committee or any two members thereof ; he shall give bonds for the faithful performance of his duties whenever required by vote of the Board of Officers ; shall make report in abstract at each regular busi- ness meeting of the Board, and in full at the annual meeting of the League next succeeding his election.

7. The Directors for each State f)r District shall appoint a suitable person in each town or city therein where there are wheelmen to be consul for such town or city ; and in any such city of more than forty thousand Mihabitants they shall ai)point two such consuls, and they may appoint one consul from each amateur bicycle club in their -State or district, provided that any person so appointed shall be a member of the League, and shall be reported at once to the Corrres- ponding Secretary ; and they shall receive and transmit to such Con- suls all appropriate notices, communications, information and other matters for circulation in the League, fill vacancies in Consulships, require such reports, information or aid as they deem meet, or may be authorized or required to by the Board. Each director shall from time to time report and make suggestions to the President of matters in his State or district, shall answer correspondence of other Direc- tors or Officers, and furnish information as to routes, hotels, roads, laws and other matters to such officers or to consuls.

V

THE WHEEL

8. Consuls shall acquire and give information as to roads, hotels, laws and other matters of interest in their localities, to members of the League, calling upon them in person or by letter ; keep their own directors informed from time to time by reports, perform such duties as the latter may require of him, and generally promote the interests of the League and its members.

MEETINGS.

g. There shall be an annual business meeting of the League on the 30th day of May in each year, or on the day following or preceding, if that occur on Sunday, 'at such place or hour as the Board of officers may determine at a meeting to be held at least two months previous, and of which general meeting at least one month's public notice shall be given. At this meeting the order of business shall be as follows : Reading of records of previous annual meeting ; reports of President, Commander, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer ; communica- tions from the Board of officers ; reports of special committees; elec- tion of officers; motions, votes and resolutions.

Fifty members shall constitute a quorum, each member present shall have one vote on any question, and no proxies shall be allowed; but clubs whose entire active membership has joined the League may choose by ballot one delegate for each ten members of the club, on the membership roll of the League, to represent them at the meeting, and these delegates, upon the presentation of credentials signed by the President and Secretary of the club authorizing them to do so, may cast ten votes each, in all proceedings of the meeting.

ID. At the date and place of the annual business meeting of the League, there shall be, at an hour to be previously fixed by the Board, a general parade, to be arranged and commanded by the Commander, in which all amateur bicycle clubs shall be invited to participate; in this parade the clubs belonging to the League shall have precedence in the order of their respective ages, then the unattached members of the League, then other clubs in the order of their seniority, and finally all unattached, not members of the League.

11. Once in the autumn of each year, at a time and place to be fix- ed at least two months previously, there shall be held a race meeting under the auspices of the League, at which only members shall be allowed to compete, except in some event set apart for professionals alone; at which meeting a suitable championship prize shall be offered, which shall be the property of the League until it shall have been won three times by the same competitor, who shall then hold it, if he so elect, and be debarred from competing for any League prize for the distance and championship.

12. Meetings of the Board of Officers shall be held quarterly, on the first Tuesday of July, October, January and April in each year; and special meetings after one week's notice may be, and at request of three members of the Board, shall be, called by the President at any time and place. The regular meetings of the Board may be held at any place fixed by vote at a previous meeting, or otherwise by the Pre- sident.

13. The President and Corresponding Secretary may at any time submit any matter of business properly before the Board in writing, in the form of a vote or resolution to each member of the Board by mail, upon which the members may indicate their approval or disapproval; and when replies in approval shall be received from a majority of the members, the President shall declare such vote or resolution carried, and it shall be taken as the action of the Board as if done at a regular meeting; and at any business meeting of the Board of Officers when a minority greater than six shall desire to appeal from the action of the meeting, they may take an appeal to the full Board of Officers.

14. At all meetings of the League or of the Board, the established law of deliberative assemblies shall be observed in all cases not pro- vided in the Constitution or in these rules.

COMMITTEES.

15. There shall be a committee on membership, a committee on rules and regulations, a committee on meetings, and a committee on rights and privileges, to be elected by the Board of Officers, from the members thereof at the first business meeting of the Board after its election, to serve for one year, or until their successors be properly constituted. Each committee shall consist of three nienil)ers, and no member shall serve on more than two committees, and two shall con- stitute a quorum in each, and they shall report to the Hoard or to the President thereof within one month after reference of any matter to them by the President, or by the Board, or by these rules.

16. There shall also be a committee on finance, which shall consist of the President, the Treasurer and the Corresponding Secretary <r.\- officio, to which all matters relating to revenue and disbursements, and League funds and investments thereof, not otherwise disposed of are

referred as they arise, and who shall report to the Board of Officers at each regular meeting.

17. To the committee on membership are referred as they arise, all matters relating to the admission, resignation, suspension or ex- pulsion of members.

18. To the committee on rules and regulations are referred as they arise, all matters relating to rules of the League or of the Board, or for the direction of consuls and members.

19. To the committee on meetings are referred as they arise, all matters relating to the time and place and arrangement for all meet- ings of the League or of the Board not otherwise provided for.

20. To the committee on rights and privileges are referred as they arise, all matters relating to the rights and privileges of wheelmen in highways and public parks, and to legislation by towns or states, and to suits by or against members of the League, and to the conduct of members of the League in respect to such matters.

MEMKERS.

21. All applications for membership shall be forwarded to the Cor- responding Secretary, together with fees for admission, with such in- formation as may be required.

22. Objections to the admission of any candidate for membership may be made to the Corresponding Secretary or to any member of the committee on membership within two weeks after the publication of the name of such candidate, and such objections may be, and re- main confidential if so requested. Where no objection is made to the name of any candidate, the approval of the committee on member- ship shall be sufficient for election. Where objection is made to the name of any candidate, the committee on membership shall report it, with the fact of objection to the President, or the Board of Officers; and any rejected applicant may learn the grounds upon which his name was rejected by applying to the committee on membership through the Corresponding Secretary; and any candidate or member of the League may take an appeal from the action of any meeting of the Board of Officers, in the method provided for in Section 13, by depositing with the Corresponding Secretary an amount sufficient to cover the expense of such appeal.

23. In passing upon the eligibility of candidates as amateurs, the membership committee shall be guided by the following rule, and shall take proper pains to ascertain and determine the facts in any case where objection is made to a candidate on this ground, or when the question niay arise on complaint of any five members of the League or otherwise, viz.:

24. An amateur is a person who has never competed in an open competition, or for a stake, or for public money, or for gate money, or under a false name, or with a professional for a prize, or where gate money is charged, or has never professionally taught or pursued bicycling or other athletic exercises as a means of livelihood.

25. No person shall be disqualified under the preceding rule on ac- count of being or having been a member of a firm, or an officer or stockholder of a corporation carrying on any business connected with bicycling, or on account of carrying on or being connected with an}' agency or riding-school, or other branch of business related to bicy- cling, provided he be not otherwise objectionable under said rule.

(7t> be Continued.)

The question as to what constitutes an amateur bicyclist was warmly debated, for upon its decision depended the standing' of one-third of the best and most widely known bicyclists in the League. When section 24 was reached, Mr. Pennell, of (.lerman- town, Penn., said that one of his chief objects in attending the League meeting was to hear the views of tlie Directors on that mooted question. The clubs of Philadelphia had exhaustively dis- cussed it, and had not reached a satisfactory conclusion. Mr. Pennell himself had come prepared and authorized as the repre- sentative of the Germantown Club to olTer the following amend- ment to the section proposed ;

" That we do not consider any maiuifactuier, dealer, ai^feiit, teacher or any other person, who may be connjt>cted in any n.anner with bicycling as a busi- ness or profession, to be an aniateni."

A long discussion followed the remarks of Mr. Pennell. Presi- dent Pratt said that if the amenchnent otVereil by the gentleman from Germantown were adojited one-third of the directors of the League and many of the most ardent lovers of bicwle riding would be rendered ineligible, simply because they happened to be engag- ed in the manufacliire or sale of bicycles. Mr. Pratt woidd not feel (Con/iniui/ on /'"^^'V 5.)

4-t.'n5

THE WHEEL

Vol. I.]

THE WHEEL

[No. I.

The Wiikel. — It is the intention of the managers to make The Wheel a lively and interesting paper. To present to its readers all matters of interest in connection with bicycling. Accounts of Club meetings, races, tours, e.Kcursions and runs will find place in our columns, together with personal items, the latest inventions and im- provements, and other subjects of interest to bicyclers and their friends. Correspondence is invited, and we will be pleased to ac- knowledge any news items, clippings or suggestions which will assist us to make our paper as attractive as possible. Contributors and cor- respondents are requested to send their favors to The. Editor of The Wheel. 38 Corttaiult Sinrt, Nc7o York. To give their full names and addresses, though not for publication unless desired. Also to notice that we go to press the Wednesday preceeding the date of publica- tion. We refer our readers to another column for our terms of sub- scription and rates of advertising.

AHEM !

We are sorry, but it becomes our painful duty to inform you that another bicycle paper has been born unto the land. "Who gave it birth?" we hear you say. " Who is the father of it ?" Alas ! we cannot tell a lie, we did it with our little tomahawk — behold the

According to Worcester a wheel is " a circular frame that revolves about an axle ," that is an axellent definition of just what we are, only we cannot do the revolving without a quan- tu/n sufficit of lubrication which, of course, we expect you to supply.

(We might as well say here that quantum sufficU means plenty, enough ; not enough to keep a carriage on, but an elegant sufficiency. Hereafter, if we have occasion to use a foreign tongue in connection with our bank account, we will always translate our remarks. )

We have a number of excuses to offer for inflicting this affliction, a few of which we give below :

istly. TiiE Whkki, will be printed in words of one syllable for thft ijcnefit of those monads who ride 36-inch machines, while for those who straddle 58-inch wheels and require something stronger, there will be a death column.

2ndly. Bills for subscriptions will not be rendered in Greek, Every subscriber will be able to sec at a glance just what he owes, and no attempt will be made to bulldoze with too much learning.

3r(Jly.'t!apital will be advanced to every enthusiastic wheel- man who has a new patent to introduce.

4thly. We shall report all the races and take the side of every feller who considers himself swindled in the handicap.

5thly. We will supply, gratis, the uniform of any club, and give the party borrowing full permission to enter any race and represent himself as a member of the society whose suit he dons.

6thly. A large stock of bugles will be kept in our edito- rial chamber for the free practice of our i)atrons.

7thly. We mean to visit the sick — we do, really — and in every case where there is a bell rope we will pull and send the pitcher out ; at the expense of the patient.

Sthly. Our oil cans and wrenches are always at your dis- posal.

We have a number of other reasons — weightier, far weigh- tier ones — but we believe the above will be sufficient to prove it is not murder we are committing, but justifiable homicide.

Our little journal will be as liberal as a pawnbroker, and as independent as a porker on solidified water but upon one point it shall ever remain firm :

You must subscribe, otherwise cobbles of immense magnitude will be deposited before your rubbers.

We kiss our hand to you.

The League — The meeting of the Officers and Directors of the L. A. W. recently held in this city, was in every way a complete success. The principal business was the adoption of the rules, the appointment of committees, the selection of a League badge and discussion of other interesting matters, a full report of which may be found in our columns. The League is rapidly increasing both in members and strength. Nearly all the prominent clubs of the country are enrolled in its ranks, and many others have signified their intention to join.

The almost unanimous decision of the Board in reference as to "what constitutes an amateur," is especially commend- able, and will doubtless be received with satisfaction by the numerous clubs, where the matter has been vigorously discuss- ed. We would endeavor to impress upon all wheelmen the importance of connecting themselves with the League at once, for in " Union there is Strength."

It has been our endeavor to place a copy of the first issue of this paper in the hands of all the prominent wheelmen throughout the United States. There are doubtless many whom we have failed to notice ; to those who may feel slight- ed at an unintentional neglect, we will say that if they will kindly forward their names and addresses, together with the amount of subscription, we will be most happy to send them as many copies as they may choose to order.

THE WHEEL

5

Our lengthy report of the proceedings of the meeting of the Board of Officers and Directors of the L. A. W., though nteresting to many and valuable for reference, unavoidably crowds out considerable matter, which we hope to present to our readers in our next issue-

THE TOURNAMENT IN THIS CITY With such gentlemen as the members of the Manhattan Polo Association as promoters of the Grand Bicycle Tourna- ment, which is to take place oh their elegant grounds next week, its success is already assured. A wide track, one- third of a mile in length has been laid under the personal su- pervision of Mr. Edward Plummer, so well known to racing men in general, and many other extensive improvements and alterations have been made. There will be six races, a one mile handicap heat race included, on the occasion, and the prizes are said to be very handsome. It is expected that there will be a large number of racing men present from all parts of the country, and New York wheelmen especially, should not allow this fine opportunity for a display of skill to pass unnoticed.

LEAGUE OF AMERICAN WHEELMEN.

(Continued from Page 3)

embarrassed to ride with those gentlemen, and he did not believe that any such class discrimination as that suggested was necessary. He thought, however, that it would be judicious to make a distinc- tion between a man who uses all his wits and utilizes all his skill in the art of bicycling, riding merely for the purpose of making rnoney, and the amateur devotee of the sport. The latter gave his tinie to it in a purely social way ; the professional was devoted to to it for his own profit.

Mr. Munroe, of New York, thought that because gentlemen were more or less remotely connected with the manufacture or sale of bicycles they should not be declared ineligible. After other members had spoken on the subject the amendment was rejected almost unanimously, and the rule was adopted as printed above.

Messrs. Parsons, Pennell and Ely were appointed a committee of three by the chair, to nominate the candidates for committees under Rule 15. The following committees were then elected ;

MEMBERSHIP.

C. K. Munroe, of New York ; L. H. Johnson, of Orange, New Jersey, and Mr. Gullen, of Brooklyn.

RULES AND REGULATIONS.

Charles E. Pratt, and E. C. Hodges, of Boston, and Albert S. Parsons, of Cambridg-e.

MEETINGS.

Thomas K. Longstreth, of Philadelphia ; J. Pennell, of Germantown, and Max Hausman, of Washington.

RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES. Fred. S. Pratt, of Worcester ;Thomas K. Longstreth, of Philadelphia, and Charles E. Pratt, of Boston.

The following report of the Membershio ^Committee was then read ;

This committee begs leave to report that since the ^oth of May, 1880, it has examined and passed the names of 527 candidates' for admission to the League of American Wheelmen.

" The committee has refused admission to nine applicants, on the ground , ^' ''}^''^ ^^^ ^ chance of their being declared professionals at the meeting of the Officers of the League.

" The Membership tickets, the preparing of which was left with the com- mittee, have been printed and forwarded to the Corresponding Secretary.

"In regard to Badges, the committee did not favor the adoption 01 badges, but It It IS deemed advisable to have such, they approve the design submitted by Mr. l<rank Weston, of Boston.

C. K. MUNROE. L.H.JOHNSON."

(The nine names rejected will be, under the new provisions as to amateur bicyclists, acceptable. — Ed.)

A design for a League badge was then discussed. What was called the Continent design was finally adopted and referred to the committee on nl'embership with .power to have them made at a cost not to exceed two dollars each. It consists of a hemisphere of silver on which is enamelled in black a representation of the North American Continent, with the name of the League across the con- tinent in silver relief, while from the sides of the hemisphere pro- ject spokes terminating in the felloe of a bicycle wheel surround- ing the base of the hemisphere. At the top is a cross bar repre- senting a bicycle handle.

A letter from Mr. Will R. Pitman was then read byMr. Frank Burrill, in which he desired to appear before the Officers and Di- rectors of the League and explain his conduct in relation to the Boston races. His request was declined, and the Recording Se- cretary was requested to write to Mr. Pitman and inform him that - his case was not properly before the Board, but that he should apply for admission to the League when his case would then be carefully considered.

A motion to adjourn to the first Tuesday in January, was then made and carried.

PERSONAL

It is rumored that Mr. Noel, of the Mercury Bi. Club, in- tends to purchase the 96 inch machine recently ridden in England. We do not doubt but that Mr. Noel is able to reach it.

Our thanks are tendered to Mr. S. Conant Foster for many valuable suggestions and contributions.

Mr. Phil Johnson, Manhattan Bi. Club, is often seen look- ing for the historic " worm" in Prospect Park, at four o'clock in the morning.

Mr. Wm. M. Wright, Captain of the Mercury Bi. Club, saiLd for Europe on the 13th, taking uith him his new 60 inch Special Columbia.

Mr. D. Belard, the professional rider was the first to head the list of our subscribers. Heaven bless you Dan'l.

Mr. L. H. Johnson', Essex Bi. Club, made two miles in 6:30^^ on a 54 inch Harvard Roadster

Mr. S. Conant Foster, the Poet Wheelman; sports a gold wheel with a diamond in the centre.

Treas. Minor is astonishing the natives of Stamford with his bi. and magnificent form.

That nonentity on a bicycle, Gib Foster, rode from Yonkers to 59th street in 2.55. Although the handsome secretary of the N. Y. Bi Club did it in 1.18, Gib wants to bet anything from a brown stone front up to a bottle of rain water that it cannot be done in 1.35. Here is a chance for some one to sit on Gib.

The bicycling department of the Sunday Courier is now under the control of Mr. W. R. Benjamin, a member of the New York Bi. Club. Mr. Benjamin is an able writer and a genial wheelman. He has our best wishes for success.

OBIT.

Little Ficken, thou hast left us. And thy loss we deeply feel, Thou didst learn the strange gyrations Of the giddy, fickle wheel.

— G. JV. C/iilds, M. A.

THE WHEEL

Vol. I.]

THE WHEEL

[No.

RATES AND TERMS. TiiK WiiiKi. is published regularly on alterntite Saturday mornings and will be forwarded, postage prepViid, to any address for one year, on receipt of S1.25, invariably in advance. Remittances should be by draft. Post Office money order or registered letter, directed to Fred. Jenkins. 38 Cortlandt Street, New York City, N.Y. Our rates for ad- vertising, which are reasonable will be furnished upon application. Special rates made for continued insertions.

ADVERTISEMENTS

OUR PREMIUM lA^T FOR iS5i. -Appreciating the feet thai it requires considerable effort to ob- tain subscribers, the publisher desires the co-operation of his ! friends in extending the circulation of The Wheel, and submits bate in th clubs. Their personal allusions are a mingling of satire the following premium list for the consideration of its patrons - and compliment that cannot hurt and may improve, those aimed p^^ Fiv^ new subscribers a pair of the Wright Gloves.

or a Wright Standard Holder.

at Not directly concerned in the matter myself, as I never alight on my head, and am neither a "blushing youth"' nor "of'much greater age and poetic appearance.'" I hope they will continue to observe and sketch; and I don"t mind giving them a distinct clue to myself. ^"wrvw/i- by the Latin dictionan,^ is one somewhere be- tween twenty and forty years. The wheel, however, rejuvenates some while it may age others if their eminence of position cause too much anxiety.

It is a curious coincidence, such as are often observed, that the ! quotation -over the hills and far away" appeared twice from dif- ferent sources in the last number of The Wheel, and then in the next of the World it comes again as first line of verse on 2d page. Now, I never saw it before in all my cycling reading, femiliar as it is and so appropriate for our use. ;

I have borrowed something withheld by a certain bic\-clergj-man. , one of the 'end men" of the Bi. Whirled UOM^t, this: If Madam

anv size.

For Ten new subscribers, one Hill & Toljnan Automatic .Alarm

Bell. For Twenty new subscribers, one Excelsior Cyclometer, to nt anv

size wheel. To Clubs — '-^ e will also forward Five Copies for one vear to

members ot any one club sending their names to<^ether for

FIVE DOLL.A.RS.

Any names sent in will be placed to the credit of parties desir- ing to secure a certain premium.

Respectfully j-ours.

FRED JENKINS. January 1st iSSo.

62

THE WHEEL

"LYRA BICYCLICA;"

Forty Poets on the Wheel.

The most remarkable, curious and various series of Parodies, Imitations, etc., since the " Rejected Addresses," singing the history and wonders of the bicycle ; being also a satire on the poets in a high-toney manner that makes all the literati squirm, and the magazines fear to notice it. no pp., bound in cloth. Mailed, postpaid, for 60 cents, by

J. G. DALTON, 15 Edinboro' Street, Boston, Mass.

HOLIDAY PRESENTS

AT WHOLESALE PRICES.

Hayward the Jeweler,

202 BROADWAY. 2nd Door below Fulton St.

HEAD-QUARTERS FOR

Club Badges, Prize Medals and Jewels.

Also, a full line of

Jewelry, Watches, Chains. Rings, Lockets, Studs, and Buttons, Charms, Bracelets, &c.,

THE BICYCLING WORLD AND ARCHERY FIELD

AND

THE WHEEL,

For one vear. $4.oo. Orders received at this office.

Sub.^cribe now, as each journal is at the commencement of a nev

volumn. Back numbers supplied.

FOR SALE.

A 54-inch "Standard Columbia," gilded felloes and backbone. In first-class running order

Only $75. All Complete.

Secretary P. C. Bi. Club, Box 346, Princeton, N, J.

Order your Club Printing and Statioiiery at the

Wheel Printing Office.

75 Fulton Street,

NEW YORK.

NctD ^tfxx'z darbs engroteb iu tl)e most artistit manner, at reasonable rates.

THE ONLY ACCURATE CYCLOMETER MANUFACTURED.

The excelsior CYCLOMETER.

(Patented in England and America,)

PRICE, $7.

NICKELED, $8.

In oulcring state size of wheel and (iiameler of axle.

EXCELSIOR CYCLOMETER CO

75 Fulton Street, New York.

These Cyclometers are finely finished, and arc provided with a neat lubri- cating cup (not shown in the cut). The dial plate is different from any pre- viously manufactured, being ofnickle, protected by a glass face.

For Sale by all Dealers in Bicycles.

THE WHEEL

63

COLUMBIA BIGYGLE.

The Special Columbia is a light roadster, of close build, fine finish, and fitted with the most approved anti-friction ball-bearings., adjustable for wear. Having made several im. provements in this machine since we first offered it to the public, we feel fully justified in pronouncing it the best and handsomest bicycle in the market. We make the Special Colum- bia from 46 to 60 inches ; price for 46-inch, $105.00 to $122.50 for 60-inch, half bright. All bright, $10,00 extra ; full nickel, $15.00 additional.

The Standard Columbia is a strong, durable roadster, built with a view to withstand the rough usage incidental to touring over ordinary American roads, and for hard work has no equal. It is of graceful model built of the best materials and carefully finished in every particular. The thousands in daily use fully attest the merits of this favorite machine.

The price of the Standard Columbia, half bright, is, for a 42-inch, S80 00 up to Sioo.oo or 60-inch. Full nickel, $22.50 extra. Both of the above are confidently guaranteed as the best value for the money attained i?i a bicycle-

The Mustang is a cheaper Bicycle, all painted, for those who cannot afford to buy a better one. We make them in smaller sizes, from 36 to 46-inch ; price, for 36-inch, $60.00, to $65.00 for 46-inch.

Send y. Stamp for 2.\-page Catalogue with Price Lists and fill information,

THE POPE MANUFACTURING CO.,

597 Washington Street, Boston, Mass.

OVER THE HANDLES,

AND OTHER

CYCLING SKETCHES.

Selected cltlcL Originctl Stories, SJ^etches CLTtd FoeTTts, JProLcticoLl Sixggestzons ^c. 199 pp. IllTLstvcLtecL. EdXted 'by JAMES P. BURBANK, H. Bi C. JPrice, bovLTtd trx Cloth, - - - - $1.00 " paper covers ------- ,50

Mailed free, on receipt of price by

FRED. JENKINS,

yS Fulton St., N. r.

No. 1 78 Broadway, New York.

Beiivccn Mauhn /,,i)it' and fa/iii Sis.

Every variety of Polo Caps for Bicyclers on hand and made to order. Estimates promptly furnished upon application.

tVI^uufacturers of the Rtgulatiou 0 i|) I')!' th • New York acht Club, and the Manhattan Bicycle Club.

THE "AUTOMATIC" ALARM.

VIeets all the requirements of the perfect bicycle-bell and gives complete satisfaction.

IT IS EFFECTIVE; OUTOFTHE WAY NOT EASILY BRO- KEN; HIGHLY OR- NAMENTAL.

The alarm is sounded by bringing a projec- ting roll against the moving rubber tii'e, when the roll is rota- ted rapidly and oper- ates the hammer of the bell.

EASILY ATTACHED TO ANY BICYCLE.

No. o. Columbias of 1879. No. i .'Standard Colunibias of 18S0

No. 2. Harvard.s (Crip lever brake.-^). No. 3. Harvards

(Thumb br:ike). No. 4. Special Columbias. No.

5. Ordinary Columbias.

These alarms aro finely finished and nickel plated all over. Sent

bv mail on receipt of $3.00.

Send for circular.

Fred. Jenkins, 75 Fulton street.

AGENT FOR NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN.

64

THE WHEEL

I

T?E "??]?Y:5P» I{0:^DSTEI(. The Special Tim- T^B "Y^LE" I{^(SEI{.

berlake Roadster, The Yale Road ster, The Nash Rubber Han- dle, The Cradle Spring. Send a Three Cent stamp for the full in- formation zuhich is contained in the Il- lustrated Catalo- gtte and Price Tist nssued by CUNNINGHAM & CO..

MAN^UFACTURERS OF BICYCLES AND

14 TO 20 PEAEL STREETj BOSTON, MASS.

THE PIONEER BICYCLE HOUSE. ESTABLISHED 1877.

Cabinet Size Photographs of the above Bicycles, 15 Cents each, Postage Free.

IMPORTING^

TRICYCLES,

We have received so many inquiries in regard to our Cyclometers, that in reply we can only say, that the wprk is being pushed forward as rapidly as possible, and we will fill all orders in the order in which they are received. In the mean time, we must ask tliose who have favored us, to have a little patience. Respectfully, EXCELSIOR CCLOMETER CO., 75 Fulton Street, New York City.

I

SCHUYLER & DUANE

■ Importers and Dealers in

BICYCLES.

189 Broadway, New York.

SOLE NEW YORK AGENTS FOR

Messrs. Cunningham & Co.'s

CELEBRATED MACHINIS,

''The Harvard" &

''The Yale"

"Special Timberlake" and others

JUST RECEIVED.— A SHIPMENT OF THE

covf:ntry machinist co.'S ■^. CLUB & SPECIAL CLUB,

i|

The Wheel

A yournal of Bicycling.

Vol. I. No. II.]

NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 12, 1881.

[Price, Five Cents.

CONTENTS

Advertisements - - - - -

Boston Notes and Notions - - - .

Correspondence - - - - -

Editorial — The Wheel — The League Meet From the Clubs — -Milwaukee — New York Memorandum on Rights in Highways and Parks Our Exchanges - - - - -

Personal - - -

Pickings and Stealings - - -

Rates and Terms -----

85

83 81

85

ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT SECONn CLASS RATES.

Fred Jenkins ------ Editor and P7-oprietor

Office of Publication, 75 Fultoji Street.

PICKINGS AND STEALINGS

The favorite drink for bicyclers is milk and soda, which has superior staying qualities, without producing the heavy feeling- caused by ale, beer and other drinks affected by bicyclers.

The announcement that the Excelsior Cyclometers will be ready by March 20th, will be of interest to those who intend to keep a log this season, by means of this accurate indicator.

Boston maidens are now clasping their hands in a ecstasy of doubt and tribulation, and exclaiming, " Tholo de Bernhartoi popalupti ?" which is the Greek for, "Ought we to visit her ?" — Argonaut.

Now is the time to overhaul your wheel and get in proper shape for the coming season. If all men delay making necessary repairs until the riding commences, they will be badly " left" when the boom commences.

The Elks' ball at the Academy of Music and Nilsson iH^all, on the 14th inst., in addition to the special attraction of an or- chestra of one hundred pieces, promises to be an affair of un- usual brilliancy and interest. A limited number of tickets can be procured of members of the order, and at the theatres, hotels, and District Telegraph offices.

The bicycle, like the ball, yacht, bow, gun and rifle, is for re- creation and physical exercise. The good fellowship, risk, ad- venture and club spirit, are items which go a long ways to pro- mote and perpetuate it. It is also a practical means of locomo- tion, as in eight months of the year it is available in business for the doctor, lawyer and clergyman, and for people of all classes it is an ever saddled horse.

The subject of a substantial and ornamental uniform is a theme that is worthy of considerable thought and discussion, and one that is receiving considerable attention from wheel- men. The favorite style of a coat is a short, single-breasted jacket, buttoning up to the throat, to the collar of which may be fastened a white celluloid collar, the favorite colors being dark green or blue cloth, or drab luiglish corduroy.

MEMORANDUM ON

RIGHTS PARKS.

IN HIGHWAYS AND

1. A street is a strip of land reserved for and forever dedi- cated to common and public use, on equal terms, in passing trom one place to another. Nothing less or other than this can be a public street. A private road has an individual ownership, and the owner may admit all, or exclude all, or admit some, as he chooses ; a public road can exclude none.

2. In the sense of my unhampered use of it in common with othens, I own the street and the park, as absolutely as I do the hat on my head, because I am a citizen, and because I am taxed to support them. The municipahty has no power to deprive me of this undivided and common ustcsj the legislature has no power to authorize such deprivation. As well might a leo-isla- ture enact that red-haired men shall not use the street as dis- criminate between different classes of users of it.

3. The purpose of my passing from place to place through the street or park is for myself to determine ; whether for business, health, pleasure, or otherwise, is my affair only, as an absolute owner of the right to use it. Equally, the vehicle or manner of my use is tor my determination. Whether I go on foot, or horseback; or stilts or skates ; in a vehicle with one wheel, or more ; drawn by a horse, cow, dog, or other animal, others may think as they please— my right ot selection is absolute and un- qualified.

4. This right is subject, however, to some limitations, as un- der Its very nature. 1 may not use a vehicle forty teet wide ; or harness ferocious animals to my carriage ; or convey nitro- glycerine or small-pox ; or take my use in such manner as to necessarily exclude others from the street. Doing this, I should take their shares with my own ; untd I do so, my right to be my own master is absolute.

5. The power to reasonably regulate the use of streets and parks — as in the matter of speed ^-necessarily rests in a munici- pality, but the right to regulate is not the right to exclude. Such right must be reasonably exercised, and must not discriminate. Regulations as to speed, etc., must apply alike to all users of streets and parks.

6. The. fact that horses already are in the street gives no special right ot possession, nor does it in the least establish the doctrine that other instruments of propulsion are to be judged by their possible or their necessary effect upon horses. 1 cannot pre-empt the street, merely because I am there hrst witli my horse, as against another who comes afterwards with some vehicle which the horse may not like. If 1 could do so, the street would become my private property, whereas it is my public property. I own my share of its use, but I cannot touch my neighbor's share, though I may covet it.

7- Were it true that the horse has especial right in the street by virtue ot possession, the absurdity would follow that no device, however superior, could ever supplant that animal. Progress and improvement in transportation would be debarred. Noth- ing to which he chose to object could be tested, e.xcept in pri- vate.

8. Those propositions, which are only terse statements of ele- mentary common sense on the subject, are well sustained by judicial decisions. " Now the public street is a place in which ' all have a right to he, for streets are for the purposes of public

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'"travel," said the Maine Supreme Court. Said the Connecticut

Supreme Court : •' the liigh way shall be forever subservient to " the right of every individual in the community to pass over the " thoroughfares so created at all times." The New York Court of Appeals has said that " all persons may travel on the street or " highway in their own common modes of conveyance ; the " use is general and open to all alike." Said the Supreme Court of Illinois ■ ' A street is made for the passage of persons and '■ property, and the law cannot define what exclusive ineans of " transportatioti shall be used.'''' Said Judge Cooley in his work on Constitutional Limitations : " When land is taken or dedi- " cated for a public street it is unquestionably appropriated for " all the ordinary purposes of a town street ; not merely the pur- " poses to which such streets were formerly applied but those ^'' demanded by new improvemeiits and new wants^ Said the Michigan Supreme Court : " The use of steam power for pur- •■ poses of locomotion on the common highways is not unlawful, " provided due care is observed, and a proper regard had to the " rights of otiiers. The fact that one, for a lawful purpose, takes "into the highway an object which is calculated to frighten " horses of ordinary gentleness does not necessarily render "him liable lor any resulting injur}'. Those who make use of " the highway by means of horses have no rights superior to ^^ others, and new modes of locomotion are perfectly admissible, ''provided they are reasonably consistent with existing mode-."

To the above propositions the writer will only add a brief comment on some popular errors respecting the bicycle.

I That it is a mere plaything, coming to disturb the useful horse. Not so; this is a begging of the question. The practi- cal utility of this vehicle is gradually developing, and, of course, its power for sport and exercise get tested first. But if the horse in cities were used only for business, how much would driving be diminished .''

2. That the bicycle is used only by boys. Not so. The younger men naturally first take to it, but it is the common vehicle of all ages and classes in England, and is already used by scores of professional and grey-bearded men in this country.

3. That it is no true vehicle. — Not so ; a vehicle is anything which carries. A State law in Illinois provides that "the term " 'carriage' as used in this act shall be construed to include "stage-coaches, wagons, carts, sleighs, sleds, and every other " carriage or vehicle used for the transportation of passengers " and goods, or either ofthem." The highest courts have already pronounced the bicycle a carriage.

4. That bicycle riders want the streets as a playground. — Not so; what some of them may "want" or may b'i willing to take as a concession is not in point; they do not claim, or ask, any such thing. They claim the right to go where, when, and how users of other vehicles go- no more and no less.

5. That the horse "must go" if the bicycle comes. — Not bO; the metropolis of London, with nearly three thousand bicyclers in clubs, and probably five times as many unattached ; England outside of London, witii a hundred thousand, and Boston and Massachusetts, with a goodly nuinber, have disposed of the horse difficulty readily.

5. That anything which may cause a horse to shy is a " nuis- ance."— Not so; more reasonably I. may say that the liorse is one, because he may take fright and run me down. There can be no warrantgiven about iiim. He will more or less find something to start at, or else will start at nothing. The only way to make it impossible for him to do so is to put out his eyes and destroy his hearing. The only way to give the public perfect safety from his freakishness is to keep him in the stable.

7. That the bicycle is a temporary craze — Not so ; but if so, its rights are none tiie less. If it is useful enough to last, de- nouncing it is inexcusable ; if it is not, the speediest way to get rid oCit is to cheerfully yield it its siiare of the road.

Finally, there is no doubt that some people cordially hate it. No step in progress was ever made without encountering someijody's ignorance, prejudice, and narrow selfishness. To some who do liot want to use it, this vehicle may seem a "nuis- ance." Bicycle riders have been assailed with abusive language, have been tlireatened and even struck at with whips, and in a few instances have been deliberately crowded and obstructed

by drivers. Of course, only a few of those who dislike it carry their opposition to such extent, but it is not to be expected that a hoggish selfishness will become any less gross by being set in a wagon, with reins in hoof

Julius Wilcox. New York, February i, 1881.

CORRESPONDENCE

January 24, i88i. Editor of the Wheel :

Feeling that it is the duty of all wheelmen to support the papers devoted to wheel interests not only by cash subscriptions but also by cominunicating any points or ideas that may occur to them. I propose to do my duty, and drop you a line now and then whenever I have anything to say that seems worthy of pub- lication.

In the first place let me thank you for personal courtesies re- ceived at your hands while on a visit to the metropolis.

In your issue of January 15, 1881, I notice a communication from Capt. C. W. F., which is interesting, but I am surprised at his suggestions in reference to an " Electric Head Light for Bicycles." The electricity to be supplied by a magneto electric machine to be driven by the front wheel of the bicycle. " The power required would be nothing ; the only obstacle is weight" quoth Capt. C. W. F.

I fear me that the Kentucky Military Institute does not ground its students very thoroughly in the doctrine of concla- tion and conservation of forces. The old Latin maxim ^' ex nihilo nihil fit" is specially applicable and so is the old English one: " You can not eat your cake and have it."

In the production of the electric light by means of a magneto (dynamo) electric machine a certain amount of mechanical force is transformed into electric force, and that again into luminous force.

Now suppose that Capt. C. W. F. gets a dynaino-electric ma- chine and electric lamp compact enough, and light enough to be carried conveniently on his bicycle (of which the prospect just now is dim) he would find that the friction wheel con- necting his dynamo-electric machine with his front wheel would act as a most efficient brake.

All the power required to produce the light would be taken from the power applied to the front wheel, and could not be utilized for propulsion. "Out of nothing, nothing comes." No light from such an apparatus without putting into the apparatus an equivalent mechanical force.

Capt. C. W. F. cannot eat his cake and have it too. He can not utilize his muscular power to drive a bicycle and to produce illumination, too. Of course, if he is blessed with a superabund- ance of muscular energy he might be able to ride at a decent speed, and drive his dynamo-electric machine also at a speed sufficient to produce a fair light, though 1 think that an investi- gation would prove the hopelessness of such an attempt until electric lighting apparatus has been vastly improved beyond its present condition. And supposing, for the sake of argument, that thus much had been achieved. 1 cannot think of a more unsuitable light for the bicycle than one whose brilliancy de- pends upon the rapidity of revolution of the front wiieel of the bicyle, one which would gleam out like a meteor as the Captain rushed down hill 'Tegs over handles," and grow dim as a glow- worm's spark as the gallant Captain slowed up to pick his way over a particularly rough and dangerous bit of road, thus giving the least illumination wheie most was needed, and fading into utter darkness when a halt was made. No, I am afraid the electric light is not for the good brethren of the wheel, as yet.

By the way don't "Juvenis" in the Wheel and '• Knick O'Bocker" in the Bicycling IKt?/-/^/ devote a little too much time and space to personalities?

Tliese are doubtless very interesting reading for them and the select half hundred who enjoy the inestimable advantage of their personal acquaintance, but the great majority of your readers have the bad taste to be bored by the scintilations of wit which

THE WHEEL

83

they don't understand and would prefer to see the space filled with other matter, such as descriptions of new machines or ac- cessories, itineracies of tours, good road routes, hints as to good places to visit, and good hotels to stop at etc. The sub- stitution of such items for stale jokes and doggrel rhymes would please many readers and detract nothing from the dignity of bicycle journalism.

Cyclos.

Farmdale, Ky., February 3, 18S1. Less than a week ago I was congratulating myself that the back-bone of Father Time's "cycle" had been broken, and that the days would be few before I might have a chance to mount my favorite once more. I even walked down the pike a half mile to inspect the surface. Vain hopes ! Vain walk ! The thermometer after playing around at 51 deg. in the shade for a few short days, enough to clear off the snow and ice, has sud- denly fallen to the neighborhood ot 20 deg. 1 had even taken my wheel out of its accustomed corner and given it an examina- tion preparatory to the opening of the season; but slowly and sadly I wheeled it back, and hung on the handle bar a card bearing on it " Requiescat in Pace." The pike is still rough, anyway; the ice preventing the new metal from settling down. Sour grapes.

I would like to ask your "Devil" how a man's faith can be " widely shaken ?" I wrote "rudely." ''■' * * *

On looking over my log for 1880 I find I received my bicycle 29th of April and rode it for the first time on the 30th before breakfast. I rode it at the third attempt — took a header about the fifth. I did not have another chance until after four o'clock that afternoon ; I then rode three miles and a half. I was a boy once more; I never enjoyed anything so much as I did that ride, except some subsequent ones. After riding old 36 inch bone- shaker I felt as if I was in a seventh heaven when I mounted my 50 inch Columbia. How bright and nice I kept that machine ! Every time I took a ride, which was every day the weather per- mitted, I cleaned it up as nice as a new pin, so that it looked as nice when I put it away the last time as it did when I first got it. To return to my log; the next day was Saturday and I rode eight ^ miles; not being accustomed to any kind of exercise I was rather sore over Sunday, but it never recurred. Things went on very well until the next Saturday when I thought I should like to ride down to Frankfort and show the folks a " bisickle.'' I started out bravely, and kept it up for two and a half miles, when it occurred to me I had read about wheelers putting their legs over the handles to go down hill; what a capital idea! what a saving of needless travel for a fellow's legs ! I find on my log, "Thrown; wrist hurt. Had to walk back home." As near as I can re- member, I succeeded in getting both legs over the handles and was about to re-grasp the right handle when the machine gave a lurch which caused me to hasten my movements to such an extent that I grasped b7'ake and handle bar with considerable force. I can reason out the result, even if 1 failed to remember. Soon after I got so I could ride again, on the sixteenth day, I learned to back-pedal, and I have never had a header since. But for the benefit of beginners and timid persons I give a sim- ple and efficient guard against a header from putting on the brake too suddenly.

Take a piece of car or wagon spring rubber and cut a piece out of it so it will fit in between the handle bar and the brake lever, and cement it there with tire cement. So adjust it that it will require a considerable pull to put the brake on, and you need have no fear of pulling the brake on accidentally. I kept mine on until I had gained such confidence in myself and in my ma- chine that it was no longer necessary. The piece of rubber need not be large to be effective, so it need not interfere witii the appearance of the machine.

On the loth of June I rode 800 yards in i m. 45 s., the only time I was ever timed. The road was like a very open V, sloped both ways toward the middle, liut was nearly level. But 1 don't believe I shall ever be a racer; not enough wind. I am built on the tall and slender type.

Altogether last season I rode 441 miles, and 1 expect to put in at least 1,000 this season.

If some fellow would only get up an exercising machine for

bicycles to use thiough the winter he would confer a benefit on that class of humanity, and reap a substantial benefit for him- self If 1 were to design, one I should have an axle on whxh could be used .bicycle cranks, and so arranged a-; to give the legs the same play they have on a bicycle. I would also have an adjustible clamp on the axle to produce friction, and a small fly-wheel to steady the motion; and it must be cheap.

Capt. C. W. F.

FROM THE CLUBS

Milwaukee. — The Milwaukee Bicycle Club is preparing ac- tively for the coming season. There are now thirty-four mem- bers, and new ones are joining at every meeting. The subject of procuring new uniforms is being agitated, as well as the putting of the old Chamber of Commerce in shape for a riding school. The Club is at this early day considering the feasi- bility of conducting a "run" in the spring, as soon as the roads will be in condition for bicycle riding. The majority propose to have this particular meet an interesting and enjoy- able affair as it will be possible to make it, and intend to have it extend through Waukesha county, and especially to follow the roads that border the beautiful lakes clustering around Pe- waukee, Delafield, Oconomowoc and Summit. It occurred to them that a run on Decoration Day to the places mentioned would be especially good, and the\' propose to discuss the im- portant questions that would arise in connection with such a meeting with other bicycle clubs In all probability the start will be made on the afternoon of May 28, ride to Waukesha and remain there for the night. The next morning an early start will be made, run to Delafield, frim there around Nemabin Lake to Summit, where luncheon will be served, after which they proceed to Oconomowoc in time for supper and spend the evening there. Monday morning, Decoration Day, the course will be shaped towards Pewaukee, and thence proceed to Milwaukee. A general invitation will be issued to pro- minent Eastei'n and Western clubs, at least one hundred riders being expected. The membership of the club now in- cludes the following gentlemen : F. G. Stark, A. S. Hibbard, C. C. Brown, W. Hathaway C. I. Brigham, A. A. Hathaway, H. D. Nichols, H. C. Reed, W. Hemphill, D. G. Rogers, A. Meinecke, A. B. Lynde, Chas. Ilsley, Samuel llsley, H. Rogers, W. Mar- iner, W. S. Pirie, Fred. Pierce, A. J. Beaumont, H. C. Haskins, A. Lindsey, H. O. Frank, L. M. Richardson, W. A. Friese, D. G. Rog rs, Jr., W. Miller, Fr. Keene, Lem Ellsworth, A. Zinn, W. Storey Dixon, W. J. Burke, A. Young, Rob. Tweedy. — Sentinel.

New York. — The annual meeting of the New York Bicycle Club, for the election of officers for the ensuing year, was held at the club headqriarters, 791 Fifth Avenue, on Monday evening, Feb. 7th. About fifteen members were present. Air. C. K. Munroe was re-elected to the offices of President and Captain,' with but one dissenting vote, which was cast by himself Mr. Downing Vaux was elected Lieutenant, and Mr. Kingman N. Putnam, by dint of persuasion, which bordered on "bull-doz- ing," accepted the office of Secretary and Treasurer. A club committee was appointed composed of the executive officers, and Messrs. Edwin Adams and Roger Haydock. The resigna- tions of Messrs. John Price and Chas. McCuUoch were read and accepted. The President, in an address reviewing the events of the year, regretted that he was obliged lo announce the death of Mr. Win. de Rahm in Switzerland, who was compelled to go abroad on account of his health a short time ago. Mr. Wal- ter Watson incurred the gratitude of tiie club by presenting a handsome Turkish table cover, and an unknown frii'ud contri- buted three cuspidors. After instructing the committee in re- gard to having the club incorporated, tlie meeting adjourned.

We have received no official notice of the progress in l\uk affairs up to the time of going lo press. We understand that the petition was to have been presented Tiuirsday, by Messrs. James Buchan, Jr. and W. G. Bates. .V full report ni.iy bo ex- pected inour next number.

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The Wheel. — It is the intention of the managers to make The Wheel a lively and interestina: paper. To present to its readers all matters of interest in connection with bicycling. Accounts of Club meetings, races, tours, excursions and runs will find place in our columns, together with personal items, the latest inventions and improvements, and other subjects of interest to bicyclers and their friends. Correspondence is invited, and we will be pleased to acknowledge any news items, clippings or suggestions which will assist us to make our paper as attractive as possible. Contri- butors and correspondents are requested to send their favors to The Editor of Tn^ Wheel, 75 Fulton Street, Ne-w York. To give their full names and addresses, though not for publication unless desired. Also to notice that we go to press the Wednesday pre- ceeding the date of publication. We refer our readers to another column for our terms of subscription and rates of advertising.

We may suffer in comparison to Washington in regard to well-paved streets throughout the business portion of New York, but we have certainly many tine boulevards and avenues which are open to wheelmen. Should the committee appointed fail to secure the privilege of riding in Central Park, undoubtedly some satisfactory arrangement could be made for that day, and the occas'on would serve as an opening wedge to secure similar pri- vileges in the future.

As the Washington wheelmen have every privilege desired, the necessity of holding a meeting there is not of sufficient im- portance, in comparison with New York, where the wheelmen's rights are in a measure restricted. We need the influence that would be perceptible by the presence of a dignified body of wheelmen, more than our sister city, and hope that the di- rectors of the League, with whom the question rests, will con- sult the interests of the League and of wheelmen in general, by casting their vote in favor of New York as a place for the annual meeting-.

The Committee on meetings of the League of American Wheelmen in a recent communication to the Bicycli?ig World, reported in favor of holding the first annual meeting of the League at Washington. The matter has been discussed by va- rioiis correspondents of that paper, and one has gone so far as to suggest that in case Washington is decided upon as a place of meeting, it is to be understood that the New York Clubs will have the poor taste to be conspicuous by their ab- sence. This may be the opinion of one man, or at best two or three, but by no means represents the sentiment of the various clubs mentioned, and the unattached members of the League residing in this city. Although we should prefer to have the meeting held in New York, we regret to see any such expres- sions used, which undoubtedly tend to lower the reputation of our wheelmen in the eyes of outsiders.

We think, however, that New York presents many advan- tages over Washington, a itw of which we venture to mention.

1. New York, from its central location, and being accessible from all quarters both by water and rail, cannot fail to attract a large number of wheelmen, who could not afford, being in many cases limited in time, to undertake a lengthy journey. The mere fact of its containing in itself over four hundred riders, is a suf- ficient guarantee for a large attendance.

2. F'ully one-half of the members of the League reside east of the Hudson River, and in the Eastern States, and to reach Washington would be obliged to pass through New York, thus contracting additional expense, which many would not care to incur.

3. For the purpose of racing, New York can offer a fine cin- der track, two and three-quarter laps to the mile, at the grounds of the Manhattan Polo Association, which are accessible by means of the surface and elevated railroads.

4. The prominence given to such a large gathering of wheel- men by the great daily papers published in this city, would do far more to further the advancement of bicycling in this coun- try, than the casual notice of a few correspondents centered at the Capitol.

5. New York possesses unlimited facilities for the accommo- dation of visiting wheelmen. The hotels are large and commo- dious and reasonable in regard to prices. Halls, suitable for holding the business meeting of the League are innumerable, and are easily secured in any portion of tiic city.

OUR EXCHANGES.

Among the many Christmas numbers of the various English publications, that we have received, and which has attracted an attention by the excellent taste displayed in its literary arrange- ment, is Cycling, a monthly magazine devoted to both bicycling and tricycling. Although not of the size of some of its coniem- poraries, it makes up in quality what it lacks in quantity. Brother Welford is both an able writer and a good musician.

Editor of the Wheel.

Deak Sir, — 1 should like to malce the suggestion thafthe Clubs at 791 Fifth Avenue hold their monthly meetings on the same evenings; say on the first Monday of every month. This would bring the best wheelmen together twelve times each year, at any one of which gatherings an informal meeting could be called, if necessary, to discuss any topic of general interest. Very truly,

Knick O'Bocker.

BOSTON NOTES AND NOTIONS.

Our two elder clubs have their annual elections and dinners on the first Monday and Tuesday of this month, to-day and last week. The clubs happened both to have been organized early in February, one in '78 and the other in '79 ; and thus it is that their principlal meetings are held in the very midst of the season most uncongenial to the movement whicii they re- present. The fact that the first winter after the advent of the wheel, that of 1877-8, was an exceptionally open one, permitting the novelty to flourish with little impediment from the weather, tended also to encourage the idea. So far as these are festive meetings, it would seem much better that they sliould occur in the riding season, when the interest is most alive and attend- ance from a distance more agreeable. I believe that the yacht clubs show no special activity in the winter; and if there were a skating or a sleighing club, it would be thought a rare joke for it to have an annual gathering on the first of August. Some argue that these meetings are of importance to reinforce interest at the time of its lowest ebb. Dinners, with all the accompaniments, at such a distance in time from their out-door inspirations can have but little effect that way. That object is sufticientiy pro- vided b}' the headquarters resort, with its social and reading fa- cilities, and the monthly meetings there. To recognize and al- low for the undeniable facts of nature, why should not riders and writers accept the situation and yield to the partial inter- regnum that must exist for one quarter of the year.' Those who make and sell machines must needs be continually engaged. Such seems the sensible course so long, as it remains true that nine-tenths of the bicycles on this continent are within those

THE WHEEL

85

limits of latitude where, on tlie average, winter prevails for three months and forbids riding, excepting to the few who will take advantage of any open intervals. From about the middle of December to the middle of March is the wheel's winter in that region; and two weeks more at each end, making four months in all, would perhaps correspond to actual practice of the ma- jority. The cycling papers might do well to appear less often for a part of that period. A former president of the late Rocket club of Suffolk County (so called from some peculiarities of its career) is said to maintain that there is no more reason for a bicycle club at all than for a buggy club. By the same token, why have a yacht club any more than a tug-boat club } The rapid decad- ence and dispersion of that gentleman's band of blooming youths showed the great influence of his maturer wisdom, as they all seem to have been converted to his way of thinking. I differ from him, but I do think that bicyle clubs should be content to ex- ist in a subdued way when off the wheel, and not try then to put on any untimely speed. One of the causes of our midwinter festals is perhaps to be found in the fact that among the offi- cers of both these clubs have always been members of wheel manuficturing firms. They may find their account in the eatings, as every little helps, and is an Ad. for them. Ex- perience seems to prove one thing with us, which is that a bi- cycle club cannot completely prosper, at any season, within the paved limits of a large city. The most live clubs we know are those of smaller places, say in the direction of Worcester, Salem, or Waltham. They really have frequent and well attended runs, favored as they are by good roads around them, and all mem- bers living within easy range and able to mount at their own doors. They call themselves clubs because they actually as- semble, and all ride. They do not need dinners at $ — per plate to bring them together.

Though the recent Arctic weather was less severe with us than in most places in many directions, still it seemed as if the North Pole was pointed right at us for more than a week— cold enough to freeze the ball bearings off a brass bicycle, and to winter- kill all wheeling ideas in every part of the mind excepting the memory. In such a reign of snow and frost all good-hearted folk will be kind to the poor bicyclists, and throw some crumbs to the little birds that likewise suffer from not going on the ground. When genial skies rule again, and we resume our halo of health and afflatus of flight, we will gratefully try not to despise the down- footed many, but do all we can to uplift and advance them. The change now to the normal temperature seems quite balmy in comparison with last week, and I notice with approval the visi- bly greater altitude of the sun while taking my exercising tramps of 8 or 10 miles in the country these afternoons.

No one would think it, perhaps, but I have tried this time to be sensible and practical ; and may only have shown an obstruc- tive temper. The tide of my wheely spirits is at a low ebb and the flats frozen over also. My alter ego, my livelier half, is "put to bed with a shovel" and lies buried under a neat mound of snow with a handsome slab of ice at the head. From being feeble and wandering in mind at the date my last, he sank ra- pidly into a deathly stupor — all for want of wheel. Not sure of his actual demise, we saved the expense of a parson and pick- axes, and gave him the benefit of the doubt, by not breaking ground. He awaits the ressurrection — of the next thaw.

If the " literary police" of your city take cognizance of such a crime as half a column of unrelieved trash in the simil- itude of humor, let them investigate page 204 of No. 13 of the Bicycling World, the last three paragraphs on the left — each ending so appropriately with the words " It won't do." Observe, too, that the letter is dated before the cold wave struck the country. That aggressive but not always accurate sheet has accused even me of "trying to be funny." It might convict its Detroit contributor of trying not to be so, for he has never failed before.

I know there is a proverb warning the inmates of glassy dwellings against heaving rocks, but the ugliness caused by no riding so long puts me up to it; and it will be noticed that I al- ways hit some bigger fellow, which should go to my credit.

irhe making oi' this letter out of next to nothing, and my no- tions on the dinner question, will account for my not being pre- sent at a certain feast this evening. My loss is their gain who are partaking thereof. JUVENis.

February 7th, 1881.

Vol. r.]

THE WHEEL.

[No. II

RATES AND TERMS.

The Wheel is published regularly on alternate Saturday morn- ings and will be forwarded, postage prepaid, to any address for one year on receipt of $1,25, invariably in advance. European subscription 7s. Remittances should be by draft. Post Office money order or registered letter, directed to Fred. Jenkins. 75 Fulton Street, New York City, N. Y. Our rates for advertising, which are reasonable will be furnished upon application. Special rates made for continued insertions.

ADVERTISEMENTS

The Wheel may be found on sale at the Parker House, Boston, Mass. Wm. M. Wright, 160 Fulton Street, N.Y. Wm. M. Wright, 791 Fifth Avenue, N.Y. Schuyler & Duane. 189 Broadway, N.Y. Wheel Office, 75 Fulton Street, N.Y.

LONDON AGENCY,

Bicycling Times Office, East Temple Chambers, Whitefriars Street, Fleet Street, London, E. C. Advertisements and Sub- scriptions should be sent to C. J. Fox, Jr.

CUNNINGHAM & CO.,

IMPORTING MANUFACTURERS OF

TREMONT ST. COR. OF BERKELEY ST.,

BOSTON, MASS. would inform their Agents and the Public, that their former Riding School Manager

Mr. CHARLES R. PERCIVAL is no longer in their employ or connected with their house, either as Selling Agent or any other capacity whatever.

FOR SALE.

One 50-inch PACER, in excellent condition. Suspension Saddle, Automntic Bell Full Nickel Plated. Bown's .^olus Ball Bearings to Front Wheel. Owner wishes larger size. Price $105. Address,

M. S. K.,

Care of the Wheel, 75 Fulton Street,. N. Y.

ELKS' BALL.

FOURTEENTH ANNUAL BALL, NEW YORK LODGE,

R. \\ O. ELKS, Monday, February 14, 1S81.

AT

ACADEMY OF MUSIC AND NILSSON HALL. DYRING'S GRAND ORCHESTRA OF ONE IIUjVDRED. Bell Chime Quadrilles, an interesting novelty. LIEBOLD'S 12TII RbXilMENT PROMENADE BAND. Tickets positively limited in iiuiiilier. Price $3 eacli. Can be procured of Members of the Order, at box office of all Theatres, news stands of all principal hotels, all .American Dis- trict Telegraph Company's olVucs, C. T. WHITE, 4()() Sixth Ave- nue, and boxes of J. F. VVARlNCi, 9-2 Bowery.

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THE WHEEL

"LYRA BICYCLICA;"

Forty Poets on the Wheel.

The most remarkable, curious and various series of Paro- dies. Imitations, etc., since the •• Rejected Addresses," singing the history and wonders of the bicycle ; being also a satire on the poets in a high-toney manner that makes all the literati squirm, and the magazines fear to notice it. no pp., bound in cloth. Mailed, postpaid, for 60 cents, by

J. G. DALTON, 15 Edinboro' Street, Boston, Mass.

Lock

your Bicycles with the New Combination Lock.

This Lock can be set on 160.000 different com- binations, and can be either used with a chain in securing the wheels together, or for fastening the lockers in the club room, taking the place of an ordinary padlock.

PRICE, NICKELED, $1.50. For sale by the

EXCELSIOR CYCLOMETER CO., 75 FULTON STREET, N. Y.

FOR SALE.

A SEVEN-SHOT NICKLE-PLATED REVOLVER, (.Smith

& Wesson Patent), 22-100 calibre, carved Ivory Handle.

Price $6.50. Almost new. Address

H. F. H.,

45 West 3Sth Street, New York.

Hayward the Jeweler,

202 BROADWAY. 2nd Door below Fulton St.

HEAD-QUARTERS FOR

Club Badges, Prize Medals and Jewels.

Also, a full line of

Jewelry, Watches, Chains. Rings, Lockets, Studs and Buttons, Charms, Bracelets, &c.,

Order yoitr Chib Printing and Stationery at the

Wheel Printing Office.

75

V ULTON OTREET, NEW YORK.

(lElub illonograms, Qlarbs, Jmiitations, ^T., cu- gratjcii iu tlic most artistic manner, ot reasonable rates.

THE ONLY ACCURATE CYCLOMETER MANUFACTURED.

The excelsior CYCLOMETER.

(Patented in England and America,)

PRICE, $7.

NICKELED. $8.

In oulcrini^ stale .size of wheel and diameter of axle.

EXCELSIOR CYCLOMETER CO

75 Fulton Street, New York.

These Cyclometers are finely finished, and are provided with a neat lubri- cating cup (not shown in the cut). The dial plate is difltrent from any pre- viously manufactured, being ofnickle, protected by a glass face.

F'or Sale by all Dealers in Bicycles.

THE WHEEL

87

COLUMBIA BICYCLE.

The Special Columbia is a light roadster, of close build, fine finish, and fitted with the most approved anti-friction ball-bearings., adjustable for wear. Having made several im- provements in this machine since we first offered it to the public, we feel fully justified in pronouncing it the best and handsomest bicycle in the market. We make the Special Colum- bia from 46 to 60 inches ; price for 46-inch, $105.00 to $122.50 for 60-inch, half bright. Al)' bright, $10,00 extra ; full nickel, $15.00 additional.

The Standard. Columbia is a strong, durable roadster, built with a view to withstand the rough usage incidental to touring over ordinary American roads, and for hard work has no equal. It is of graceful model, built of the best materials and carefully finished in every particular. The thousands in daily use fully attest the merits of this favorite machine.

The price of the Standard Columbia, half bright, is, for a 42-inch, S80 00 up to Sioo.oo for 58-inch. Full nickel, $22.50 extra. Both of the above are confidently guaranteed as the best vahce for the money attained in a bicycle.

The Mustang is a cheaper Bicycle, all painted, for those who cannot afford to buy a better one. We make them in smaller sizes, from 36 to 46-inch ; price, for 36-inch, $50.00, to 5f65. 00 for 45-inch.

Send y. Stamp for 2\-page Catalogue with Price Lists and full information,

THE POPE M'F'G CO.,

597 Washington Street, Boston, Mass.

OVER THE HANDLES,

AN- OTHER

■CYCLING SKETCHES.

Seiecteci ctnd. Origirtal Stories, JPoeircs cuxd. Sketches, PrcLcticctl Su,ggestions cf-c. 199 pp. Tltu-strated. Edited ty

JAMES P. BURBANK, H. Bi C.

JPrice, iDovLThd iix ClotU,- - - - $1.00 " j)ctper covers ------ ^50

Mailed free, on receipt of price by

FRED. JENKINS,

75 Fulto7^ St., N. r.

No. 178 Broadway, New York.

Between Mauhn Laiic and John S/s.

Every variety of Polo Caps for Bicyclers on hand

and made to order. Estimates promptly

furnished upon application.

Manufacturers of the Re^'ulatio.i Cap for the Nevy York Yacht Club, and the Manhattan Bicycle Clnb.

THE "AUTOMATIC" ALARM.

Meets all the requirements of the perfect bicycle-bell and gives complete satisfaction.

IT IS EFFEC- TIVE; OUT OF THE WAY NOT EASILY BROK- EN; HIGHLY ORNAMENTAL

The alarm sounded by bring- ing a projecting roll against the moving rubber tii'e, when the roll is rotated rapidly and operates the hammer of the bell.

EASILY ATTACHED TO ANY BICYCLE.

No. o. Columbias of 1879. No. i Standard Colunibias of

1880 No. 2. Haivards ((irip lever brakes). No. 3. Harvards

(Thumb brake). No. 4. Special Columbias. No.

5. Ordinary Columbias.

riiese alarms are finely finished and nickel plated all over.

Sent by mail on receipt of ^3.00.

Send for circular.

Fred. Jenkins, 75 Fulton street.

AGENT FOR NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN.

S8

THE WHEEL

ifjiE ''nnmnw)'' mm^m^. The Special Tim- tpe ^'y^IiE^^ r^cer.

berlake Roadster, The Yale Road- ster, The Nash Ritbber Han- dle, The Cradle Spring. Send a Three Ce7tt stamp for the f^tll in formation which is contained in the Il- lustrated Catalo-_ \gtte aitd Price List '^issued by

CUNNINGHAM & CO...

IMPORTING- manitfaoturp:rs of bicycles and tricyclks,

TREMONT STREET CORNER OF BERKLEY STREET, BOSTON, MASS,

THE PIONEEU BICYCLE HOUSE. ESTABLISHED 1877.

Cabinet Size Photograplis of the above Bicycles, 15 Cents eacb, Postage Free.

The Excelsior Cyclometer Company take pleasure in announcing, that after nuaierous delays they will be able to have their Cyclometers ready for the market by the 20th of March. As the demand has been large, they advise purchasers to send in their orders early, so as to secure immediate attention. Respectfully,

EXCELSIOR CYCLOMETER COMPANY, 75 Fulton Street, N. Y.

SCHUYLER & DUANE

Tnporters and Dealers in

BICYCLES.

189 Broadway, New York.

SOLE N E W YORK AGENTS F O R

Messrs. Cunningham & Co.'s

CELE[5RATEI) MACHINES,

"The Harvard" &

-The Yale"

"Special Timberbke"

and others

JirST RECEIVED.— A SHIPMENT OF THE

COVKNTRY MACHINIST CO.S

CLUB & SPECIAL CLUB.

It

The Wheel

A Jo^tr7^al of Bicycling.

Vol. I. No. 13.]

MARCH 12 1881.

[Price, Five Cents.

CONTENTS

Advertisements -----

Amusements - - - - -

Boston Notes and Notions - - - .

Correspondence - - - - -

Editorial — -The Wheel — A few words on handicapping;

From Oxford to London on Cycles

Personal ------.

Picking's and Stealings - -

Rates and Terms -----.

The League Meet - - - -

lOI lOI

100

lOI lOI

98 00 97

lOI

97

ENTERED .\T THE POST OFFICE AT SECONTl CLASS RATES.

Fred Jenkins ------ Editor and Proprietor

Office of Publication, 75 Fulton Street.

PICKINGS AND STEALINGS

Only three more snow-storms.

Moonlight spins are now in order.

The League Meet will undoubtedly be held in New York.

If it isn't, it ought to be.

"We may sometime take a little of its pudding (and give credit, too)." Extract from the Bicycling World. And yet the editor calmly takes his scissors and hashes up the article of Mr. Julius Wilcox, without crediting that gentleman, or the paper from which it was taken.

Very few subjects connected with athletics are so well worn as training, but most of the books published go into the matter far too deeply, and frighten any man who wants to get himself " fit " in the ordinary course of events, and without incurring great expense. My object in writing this short article on Bicycle Train- ing is to show how very little a rider has to go out of his way to get himself into a condition such as would allow him a fair "look in" with men who almost make a business— really a pleasure —of keeping themselves in racing form all through the season, and so stand a chance of walking away with some of the very valuable prizes we so often see given at the annual meet- ings of clubs throughout England.

1 shall presume that our man is in business, and some special event is coming off — a club championship or such like — for which he has entered, and which he wishes to make every en- deavor to win. I may say by the way that the great difference between oar roadsters and racers now, the grand tracks we are getting almost everywhere, and the many matured riders, com- pel a man to go in for an out and out racer ; but to start on our subject :— Care must be taken how a rider commences training, especially a man who has led a life of" as one likes it." No one can safely dash into hard work at once ; the thing must be done by degrees; and firstly the very important item of tobaccii must l)c abandoned, as I am convinced from various sources that it in-

jures the wind. A little medicine to get one's blood into order is not out of place, and all spirits, etc., must be "knocked off.'' Rising about seven m the morning, let the tyro go for a short stroll, say to fetch a morning paper or the letters for the office, thus securing an appetite for the first meal in the day. If (as most of our racing men are) our friend is in " diggings," the principal part of the breakfast can be purchased vi^hile out, and should consist offish, steak, chop, or eggs, with as little coffee as possible, since it is a great stimulant and can very seldom be bought good ; and stale bread, or better still, a little dry toast. Meals should never be " scamped," and a little rest after each is desirable. Dinner, the repast of the day, is generally taken at one, and should consist of plain fare; water should be drunk and a few vegetables taken to aid digestion. If our man is fond of sweets ; rice, tapioca, sago, or such like puddings are by far the best. 1 always take my daily practice from 5 to 6 o'clock ; the distance ridden varying according to the race tor which one is preparing. A fast man is generally to be preferred to a six days rider, so spurting and riding say two or three miles sharply should be the extent of the exercise. If a long distance has to be trained for — say twenty miles — do five, ten, twelve, and once before the day; a trial of twenty, but don't allow yourself to get fagged. After practice is over get a good rub down, finishing up with the gloves ; it makes one feel twenty per cent, better, and very often avoids a chill. — Wheelman'' s Year Book.

CYCLUS PRO ME PREPARATUS.

BY AUGUSTUS MOUNTACEN TOI'WHEELY.

Wheel of England, sent for me, Let me ride myself on thee ; Let the young bicycling blood. Who the driven sides hath trod Of the crackly double goer, Teach me too its speed and power.

Labors of my head and hands, Not fulfill my law's demands : Could my toil no respite know, And my coffers overflow. For ill-heal til would not atone — One must save, can't stand alone.

Rein nor whip in hand 1 bring. Simply to the rod 1 cling; Cap and breeches have for dres?. And the coat of wheeliness. Fowl, and time, and riches fly; Dash me. Cycle, so can I !

While I drive this fleeting wheel. Oft my lever brake 1 feel ; When 1 go dow n hills unknown', S'pose I do gel. sometimes thrown ? Wheel oi' ICngland, sent lor me. Let me ride myself on thee !

THE LEAGUE MEET.

At the meeting of the various metropolitan clubs last Mondav, a committee of three from each club were appointed to mako

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arran<rements for the reception ot the League, as there was little doubt but what the meeting would be held in New York.

Messrs. Putnam, \'aux, and VN'atson, represented the New York Club; Messrs. Brown, Neergaard, and Olmstead, the Mercury, and Messrs. Timpson, Walker, and Minor, the Man- hattan.

Mr. Putnam took the chair, and Mr. Minor was appointed sec- retary. The question of securing the Park for that day was discussed, and Walker, Watson and Foster were directed to devote their energies in that direction. The following petition was accordingly drafted, and presented in person by the com- mittee.

To THE Honorable Board of Park Commissioners of the City of New York.

Gentlemen: We represent the Bicyclers of this city, and come before you lo ask so small a favor we feel you cannot hesitate to grant it.

The "League of American Wheelmen," at present numbering over I, coo members, desires to hold the annual meeting of the or- ganization in New York, on May 30th next.

After finishing the business of the convention, it has been our custom to take a short run on our wheels, and we request, on this occasion, the privilege of passing through the Central Park on our way to the suburbs, and again through the Park on our return.

If it please you to give it and is not inconsistent, we should like our answer now, as it only hinges upon your decision whether the Directors of the League appoint New York or Washington; as a meeting place.

The management of the Elevated Roads has given us permission to carrjr our bicycles upon the trains on that date, and we have had many other courtesies of a like nature extended to us.

Trusting your answer will be favorable, we are sirs. Most respectfully,

H. H. Walker, J. Watson, Jr., S. CoNANT Foster.

Mr. Benjamin of the C(??^rr/«r greatly assisted the committee, by calling the Commissioners attention to the petition. After considerable discussion, the privilege was granted for that day only. Mr. Wales said that he would be very much pleased to witness the parade, and hoped that his colleagues would share his feelings in the matter.

The committee on hotels have not yet reported, but will no doubt make some satisfactory arrangement for the accommoda- tion of League members at a reasonable rate.

Messrs. Minor and Timpson were to make arrangements for the storing of the bicycles, and were to secure a large hall in the vicinity of 59th street, if possible. The proprietor of the roller skating rink at 59th street and Madison avenue was in- terviewed on the subject, but could not give a satisfactory answer until the 25th of the month. There is no doubt what- ever but what satisfactory arrangements will be made for the comfort of the visiting wheelmen.

FROM OXFORD TO LONDON ON CYCLES, BY TWO AMERICANS.

"Hie!" said I one day, Thursday, I think, to my old friend Bill, "the Varsity boat race is on Saturday ne.xt ; let us go and see it." " All right Geo. my boy, I'm with you there, how do we go.-"' "Why, wheel up, to be sure, the race is at eight in the morning ; we must stait at half-past two in the night, and we can punish forty-five miles by that time, I guess that is about the distance to Putney." And we looked over our our map.s, and sealed the contract with a bet of a bottle of cham- pagne on the issue of the race.

On Friday afternoon we had a little run of about twelve miles up to Abingdon and back, and then set to work polishing our machines and cleaning out the bearings, oiling up, setting our lamps and our gouL's, etc. I rode a sturdy little Timberlake, by Hickling & Co., of Maidenhead, Berks, and Bill an Acme, by Newton, Wilson & Co., of London, a pretty high-built 52- inch, I had got mine in O.xford, l>ut Bill had traveled half over Germany with his machine.

Our plans were to go to Putney, see the race, then wheel up to London, to visit Goy of Leadeniiall street, make a few pur- chases there, then to visit three or four liicycle makers. The Surry Machinists, makers of the celebrated Invincible, and Har-

rington, maker of the Arab ; and John Keen's Eclipse, were the principal ones we wanted to see. Then we meant to ride about London a little, and see the finish of the six days contest which Charles Terront eventually won. We were to go by High-Wycombe, and Uxbridge, coming back by Maidenhead and Henley, fifty-six miles one way, and sixty the other, as near as I can rempmber.

On the morning of Saturday, 20th of March, 1880, I woke at two o'clock, my old alarm making a frightful din. I got a few things on, and woke Bill, who was snoring as if he never wanted to wake ; we dressed quickly and went down stairs, lit the gas stove and began cooking some eggs, we ate a little bread with them, and had a very discreet pull at the brandy bottle, to knock the cold on the head, as Bill said. We put our mufflers 'round our throats, lit our lamps, found ourselves in a raw and chilly atmosphere, with a few stars shining above our heads. we mounted and were off, the road being rather rough warmed us up, and after getting up a huge hill and going a couple of miles we set to our work, and went on at about eight or nine miles an hour, as fast as the darkness would allow. In an hour and a half we got to Tetsworth, and made for High-Wycombe. An awful fog came on, and we only reached it at about a quarter to six, meeting only with one or two solitary game-keepers, and a few loads oi^ chairs, made at High-Wycombe ; we passed Bea- consfield, hardly seeing it and went on to Uxbridge, a mile be- fore that a nut on Bill's front wheel bearings got loose and was lost, that caused a further delay, and we reached Uxbridge at half-past seven. We found, luckily, that there was a bicycle manufactory there, that of Messrs. Garrard & Mortimer, makers of the Alliance, a very good machine indeed. We had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with Mr. Garrard, Jr., a well known racer. We were already late for the race, when we learned by telegram that the race was put off until Monday, on account of the fog, that was a sell, however, we went on to Lon- don. There we saw lots of bicycles, visited the Agricultural Hall, saw the race, had lunch and dinner, and then slept well at Callaub's Hotel, near Oxford street. We rose at nine, had breakfast, and started, Sunday morning, on our home journey. We went down Kensington, Brentford, Hammersmith, Windsor, and Ebon, Maidenhead and Henley, had lunch there and went on pretty quietly to Oxford, in time for dinner, not very tired and having enjoyed ourselves immensely.

This little journey, I hope to repeat at some future day, we have no sixty mile stretches of velvety roads here, but we are in position to take pretty long rides, and I wish for all my cycling brethren the pleasure, health andgood humor derived from good long club rides. G. V. S. 51 -in.

JOTTINGS ABOUT TOWN. Dear Editor. — Noticing that all the clubs were to hold their meetings on the first Monday of the month (a good idea by the way), I thought I would stroll up to the now famihar land-mark at 791, and look around a bit. On entering I found quite a nuni- her of the boys discussing Mr. Pennell's letter, and the League Meet in general. Jo's letter has created considerable merri- ment, but some of his idea's are ridiculous, and convey the idea that New York is a very dangerous place for a man to visit, especially if he has a wheel, and I cannot resist the temptation to say a few words in reply to some of his arguments. His ideas of the proportions of the city must be ratlier limited. Now Jo, if we have a race, we are not going to be selfish and have it all to ourselves, but we want our " sisters and cou — " etc., etc., and perhaps some other fellow's sister to come and see us, therefore, they will have to take the surjace and elevated rail- roads, as tricycles are not as fashionable as they might be. Anyone who knows anything about New York is aware that the Polo grounds are easily reached on the wheel. Again, don't be anxious about your name being in the paper. If you behave yourself, it won't get in. You won't be bothered carting your maciiine around, as ample provision will be made at 791 Fifth Avenue, for all the bicycles of visiting members of the league. You make a great mistake, certainly, in regard to the Park ques- tion. We want the Park, not merely for the pleasure to be de- rived from riding in it, but it is the only direct route to our boulevards and the country beyond. At present we are obliged to ride on Fifth avenue, and above 90th street we take the .'^ide- walks. This we do not wish the League to undertake. Conse-

THE WHEEL

99

quently we want the Park. And once satisfy the Park Com- missioners and the people, that bicycles are not dangerous, and thereby secure the privileges of the Park for wheelmen, and you would be doing more good to bicycling in general, than any trip to Washington for the sake of a good time. I dont know your ideas about the objects of the League, but we wheelmen here think it is intended for better purposes than taking a ride to- gether once a year, and wearing a little tin — I beg pardon — silver badge the rest of the time. We New York men paid our share of the little bill incurred in the Haddonfield Turnpike case, and we want the League to come here and help us set- tle this Park question, and I guarantee it will not only increase the interest in the sport here, but will serve as a worthy exam- ple for other large cities, where wheelmen are restrained from the use of the public parks and highways. We do not lack " limpness of spine," as one person expresses it, but we want the public, the press, and last but not least, the Park Com- missioners, to see and feel the strength of a League organiza- tion. This cannot be demonstrated except by their actual pres- ence in this city. Should the League decide to hold their meet- ing here, I warrant the opposition hithertofore encountered, will be in a measure done away with, and if we have to fight for our rights in future as a last resort, we can command the respect, if not the assistance of many, who were not favorably inclined towards us in the past. * * *****

A glance at the clubs revealed a general waking up in wheel matters. The New York Club are very comfortably situated, and justly claim the handsomest room in the building. The Mercury Club have built handsome lockers, and in many ways improved their quarters. Considerable noise and confusion emanated from the Manhattan Club room, and we learned that the annual election was in progress. The following board of officers were announced for the coming year. N. Hobart, presi- dent; F. G. Bourne, vice-president; J. F. Burrill, secretary; Chas. W. Minor, treasurer; P. Fred. Bruner, captain; P. D. Johnston, first heutenant; R. Underbill, second lieutenant; Louis Sledge, first guide, and P. Timpson, second guide. The club are unfortunately handicapped by possessing a few men as members, who are neither particularly useful or ornamental. There is some talk of a change in headquarters, as their present room is rather small and cramped. The Lenox Club have come out strongly, and with a membership of twenty-three active (in all senses of the word) members, intend to work their way to the front this season. Their colors have been changed to black and blue. The officers are : H. J. S. Hall, president ; G. Bart- lett, secretary ; F. F. Ames, treasurer; E. Y. Webber, captain ; E. Richard, sub-captain, and W. Brokaw, color bearer. Web ber is reported to have caused a depression in real estate in his vicinity by the purchase of a bugle.

A visit to the stable revealed a splendid collection of Harvards, number's, Special Columbia's, Challenge's, Special Clubs, and others, from the 42 inch Singer to the 60 inch Special Columbia, a variety sufficient to suit the taste and proportions of the most fastidious rider. The demand for nickel-plated machines is on the increase. Everything now depends on good roads and weather, and a boom is plainly visible in the horizon.

Hoping to be able to give you some accounts ot club runs in my next, I remain, fraternally yours. Mercury.

Farmdale, Ky., March 4, 1881.

To look out of my window to-day one would not think I had four days of fine riding, beginning on the 23d of February. The first day 1 rode I X miles; the second, 3 miles; the third, 4^ miles, and the fourth, 7 miles. Maybe I was not glad to »e"t out. The doctors had told me that I must stop using so much sugar if I wanted to get well again : one of them, however, said all I needed was exercise, and I agreed with him. I accepted the advice of both sides, and began by using but one spoonful of sugar to the cup of coffee, and by taking a walk every day. I only walked two days when the state of the weather permitted me to mount my wheel. By the end of the week I was in fine spirits, and each physician tliinks he was right as to the cause ot my disorder. I side with the exercise man. It has snowed and rained both since my ride, ard it is snowing now; 1 don't look for another ride for at least a week.

And now for " Cyclos ; " but first, I am perfectly willing to bear the burden of my indiscretion, or ignorance, whichever "Cyclos" may call it; therefore, don't, "Cyclos," run down the institution with which I am connected, just because my views do not agree with yours. And pardon the digression, but his insinuation necessitates it. " Cyclos," my child, if the insti- tution that claims you among the alumni taught logic, you surely were not a member of the class, or at best an inattentive one, for one of the very first laws of logic tells us we must never reason from a particular to a general. Granted that I am not very well grounded "in the doctrine of conclation and conserva- tion of forces," does it follow that it is the fault of the Ky. Mil. Inst..?

" Cyclos," my boy, your use of words leads me to believe that your learning is superficial ; that you are a theorist; you may be firm in the classics, and be able to give a very high-sounding lecture on " the doctrine of conclation and conservation of forces," and yet not be able to distinguish between a wheelbar- row and a crowbar. Theory is a good thing when sustained by practice, but by itself, it counts as little with practical men. When I wrote the article I had no idea of the particulars at all, except what were mentioned. I thought it was new, at least, if not useful, and that it might be interesting to some of the read- ers of The Wheel. At the same time I made a mental calcu- lation of the amount of power it would call for, and saw that it would amount to very little. I have mislaid the paper that gave the account of the practical workings of one of our most suc- cessful electric lights, but I have since found another account that will do as well. I think the first paper referred to was the Scientific American, the second is the Boston Weekly Trati- script, of February 22. With the Weston light, experiment showed that 4 7-10 horse power is required to run five lamps of 2,000 candle power each. For safety, and for fear we shall show our ignorance of the "conclation and" etc., we shall say it re- quires five horse power to obtain the above result. Five horse power producing a 10,000 candle light, is equivalent to 2,000 can- dles per horse power. But I stated, I beheve, that ten candle power would be sufficient for our purposes ; therefore, it will only require one two-hundredth (1-200) of a horse power to pro- duce the desired light. A man's power is variously estimated at from one-sixth to one-seventh of a horse power, so that the amount of extra work put on the bicycler would make no more, if as much, difference than that between cone and ball bearings to the front wheel. And any bicycler that is enthusiastic enough to ride at night would not begrudge the extra amount of muscu- lar force necessary to give him such a fine "luminous force." "Cyclos," my son, I arn afraid the college at which you graduated did not ground you thoroughly " in the concla — '' but then, poor boy, I shan't say it again. " Cyclos," you are one-sided ; you argue as if it took all a man's power to propel his machine, and lience "he cannot utilize his muscular power to drive a bicycle and to produce illumination, too." The only real, sensible, practical argument " Cyclos'' produces is one that any man of the commonest intelligence could foresee : it is regarding the fact that it would be no account on a rough road, when you had to slow up. I should like to be informed how many bicyclers generally choose rough roads for night riding. In conclusion, since writing my former article, I see that the idea has been adopted for locomotives, and to overcome the objeetion, " no speed, no light,'' they have a separate, small engine. Of course I do not mean to say my idea was adopted, for in all probability the said locomotives were in operation at the time 1 wrote. Discussion is a good thing this kind of weather, isn't it, Cyclos. Our Washington brethren might adopt the idea with success, if their streets are what I nnderstand they are.

Tliat " BirmingiiaiTi Traveler'' was ridiculous, wasn't he ? Why even here in Kentucky, which is several miles from New York, I have ridden over 150 miles of difterent roads, and never walked a mile. Besides, two of our riders, rode from Louisville to Lexington, 81 miles, in eiglit liours, running time. 1 hope those Enjilish bicyclers will come and see for themselves. We may not have as many fine roads as they have in England, but by selecting tlieir route beforehand, they can get tlie best, anil need have no fear of extensive repairs, light bread, fusees, or fusilades. I should not be surprised if that same "Traveler" thought we Kentuckians still iisetl the Hint and steel to light our pipes with. Capt. C, W. F.

The Wheel. — It is the intention of the managers to make Thk. Wheel a lively and interesting paper. To present to its readers all matters of interest in connection with bicycling. Accounts of Club meetings, races, tours, excursions and runs will find place in our columns, together with personal items, the latest inventions and improvements, and other subjects of interest to bicyclers and their friends. Correspondence is invited, and we will be pleased to acknowledge any news items, clippings or suggestions which will assist us to make our paper as attractive as possible. Contri- butors and correspondents are requested to send their favors to The Editor of T nil. Wheel. 75 Fulton Street, New York. To give their full names and addresses, though not for publication unless desired. Also to notice that we go to press the Wednesday pre- ceeding the date of publication. We refer our readers to another column for our terms of subscription and rates of advertising.

The two and five-mile handicap bicycle races at the Spring games of the New York Athletic Club, announced for Monday and Tuesday evenings, open a season, which promises to give many and varied opportunities for a display of muscle and skill.

Bicycle races are now a recognized feature in our athletic games, and attract as much interest and attention as other events, provided the handicaps are well arranged. Much dis- satisfaction was e.xpressed during the last season at the manner in which the handicaps were bestowed. We once asked a gen- tleman connected with the athletic press, who did the handicap- ping for an atliletic club meeting, where bicycle races were among the events, how he arranged the handicaps. He replied : " I alwiiys get the size machines they ride, and previous record if possible, and arrange them accordingly." It was apparently true, judging from the result of the race. One of the closest and best arranged handicap races we ever witnessed, was when the handicapping was done by a committee composed of repre- sentatives from each bicycle club having members entered. This cannot always be accomplished, but is much preferable to the usual method of placing it in the hands of one man, whose knowledge of bicycling is necessarily limited.

It is our intention during the coming season to keep a record of every race that comes to our notice, together with the names of contestants, distance, handicap allowed and other items which will tend to simplify matters.

Our riders throughout the country will greatly oblige us by sending a brief account of any races, which they may witness or engage in. Hy this means we will be able to furnish persons entrusted with the thankless duty of handicapping, complete records of all the known racing men, and serve to increase the interest in bicycle races by closer contests in future.

BOSTON NOTES AND NOTIONS.

Continuing from my last, the choice extracts from the Scien- tific American in 1809, 1 would add that at the time oC examin- ing its pages 1 had the use also of an album containing a large collection of matter relating to the ve!ocii)eding of that year.

WHEEL

There were numerous cuttings from the daily and weekly papers of New York and Boston, and from another mechanical journal of the day, together with several numbers ot The Velocipedist, the first of wheel papers, at least in this country. Thus I had a pretty broad view, and it showed the Scientific American leading all in enthusiasm, even the own organ of the wooden wheels. March 27th, it had an article on the mechanics of walk- inu', discussing particularly the comparative gain by riding wheels. With the aid of ciphering and Silliman, some very extraordinary conclusions are reached ; one is that the walking legs "have an advantage over the velocipede in ascending grades of consider- ably less than one inch to the foot ; our opinion is, they would be found by experiment to be about on an equality in ascending gradients of >^' of an inch to the foot." This being a rise of only I in 36 is practically level ground, and the statement is a libel on the boneshaker, and directly opposed to all these florid eulogies of it. Such were some of its self-contradictions. Same date, is described another admirable tricycle, patented through their agency — the last ever heard of it. April 3d, theie is an article on a wholly novel bicycle ; and the cut is interesting now as showing two wheels of exactly the same relative size, and nearly the same position, as in the bicycle of to-day. In those re- spects the inventor anticipated by several years, and at one stroke, what foreign mechanics reached by slow degrees after- ward ; and if he had realized the peculiar value of his idea, the true Ijicycle might have been of American origin. This patent was that of a Mr. Soule, then or shortly after of Albany. A cut of the same machine may be seen in Knight's Mechanical Dic- tionary. Same date, was a coIiMnn more on the subject gener- ally. April 17th, it says, " For our part we simply endeavor to keep our readers posted upon its progress ;" still the next issue has a most enthusiastic editorial of a column and a half Then appears another pattern of a two-wheeler; and May 1st a new brake is shown, and comes a long editorial again. In this the suggestion is made, in view of the many new and curious words which had been coined for the new era, that '' some publisher should print a velocipede dictionary to contain them." This is a "stale joke" — twelve years old now. In short, every week until the end of May new machines are puffed or confident edi- torials appear. June and July saw but one article each ; and, I think, there was nothing more till October 30th, when they al- low that an epidemic had been raging, but had succumbed to the warm season, so that "by the end of July a velocipede was rarely seen." Nevertheless, "we are more in love with it than ever," they say. That was about the last that was ever heard of Uie velocipede as a phenomenon in their columns. It quickly faded from public view in 1S70, and its warmest advocate seems to have been among the first to abandon it.

In regard to the bicycle proper, the course of the Scientific American has been as far in the other extreme. I believe that paper has never had a hearty good word for it; certainly not until compelled to recognize it by the voice of public opinion, or to admit it into its pages in the way of business. In 1878, though the bicycle had then been a wonderful success in Eng- land for several years, and was fast getting famous here, that journal either affected to ignore it entirely, or allowed singularly fatuous opinions of it to prevail whenever the subject came up. The remarkable point is, not so much that some, or many mis- takes should have been made, but that the leading journal of mechanical science in the country, perhaps in tlie world, should have been less sagacious than the daily press, or the average of less sensible people on a comparatively simple matter within its own province of expert knowledge.

When a certain inveterate '' joker of jokes," after amusing often very many readers by writing in that vein, then gives them "half a column of unrelieved " — well, what he calls statistics, complaints are natural. The use of a severe term lately by so unimportant a scribe as myself in regard to a letter by the De- troit humorist has led that gentleman to write two columns, in No. 1 7 of the Bicycling World, in his usual style. For my part, 1 accept at once his apology, so practical, and so ample, and without any denial of the fact. He intimates that 1 am a dealer in trash myself, but thinks it not unrelieved by some uninten- tionally amusing traits, and says he admires it. I can't deny the fact ; and must remain jealous of his invasion of my field, who has a better one of his own.

THE WHEEL

lOI

I see that "Capt. C. W. F." in a late issue of The Wheel, calls for an " exercising machine," and suggests how he would have it. Such an one has been for some months in use in England. I mail to him to-day a paper that advertises it. One of the machines may be seen at the rooms of the Pope Manufacturing Conipany, in this city.

I get a rumor of a new cycling journal to be started soon, but think we hardly need another.

A friend remarks to me : "Enough has been said about the League Meat to do the whole thing up brown, yet it still re- mains a raw and bloody subject." It might be added that there is some lively snarling and snapping over it by the expectant ones.

Most of the broader roads here are now become rideable, and the prospect is good for a while, at least. Ten weeks have passed since there was any riding, which is by much the longest interval since the bicycle came.

The lines on Spring, by the Calamo bard, though bee-ootiful, and alniosi worth opening another bottle on, are still raiher prematut-e for these parts. One weather prophet predicts an- other Winter yet, before we get a Summer. If that man be not a liar, anyone may have my remains and cremate them.

My "Bi." is having a cradle spring put on. Juvenis.

March 7, '81.

Albany, Feb. 28, 1881.

Dear Wheel: — I wish one of our inventors would devise some kind of a "creeper" to be attached to the tire of a wheel, so that icecycling- would be made safe and practicable. We want something that can be readily attached and detached, and will prevent the machine from slipping from under you side- ways. It seems to me that an invention of this kind would greatly enhance the pleasures of bicycling, and lengthen the time of riding clear through the winter, when it is difficult and dangerous.

The other day I rode ofi the ice from this city to Castleton, a distance of 8 miles down the Hudson. For the first 7^ miles all went as " merry as a marriage bell," and I was beginning to laugh at the heard of terrors of icecycling, when my hilarity le- ceived a sudden check, and I found myself very flat indeed on the cold, cold ice. Nothing daunted 1 mounted again, but the wheel had not made many more revolutions before I was once more deposited very unceremoniously on my back ; the result of this fall was a bent crank, and a few casual and forcible re- marks on things in general, and rough, slippery ice in particular. Again and again I essayed to ride the thing, and again and again fate attempted many and very vigorous applications of ice to cool my determination. But my mad was up, and as often as I was thrown, so often I mounted again, and finally succeeded in reaching my destination, with a crooked temper and two crooked cranks. After I had coolly " diagnosed '' the case, I was ready to give to the world at large (synonymous with writ- ing The Wheel), my ideas of icecycling and they are, that so long as there is a thin crust of snow covering the ice you can ride with great ease and pleasure, but as soon as you essay to ride over smooth ice, especially if it is lumpy, then you had better make arrangements beforehand to repair your temper-, your machine, and maybe your neck. I pray that the many in- ventive geniuses who read The Wheel will cudgel their brains and produce a practical, simple, and cheap creeper, which will make icecycling safe, and consequently as enjoyable as road riding. Let such as these devote a few of the coming dog-days to perfecting some such invention ; the idea will be a cooling one, and if successful, I, for one, will rise up and call tiiem blessed.

I wonder how my fellow-Englishmen will enjoy riding on American roads in the month of April } Methinks they had best postpone their visit one month later. '' A word to the wise" gentlemen. If they pass througli Albany, as they undoubt- edly will, they will find a hearty welcome with us. I am a trifle sorry that Saratoga was not favorably reported on as the next place of meeting of the L. A. W. Washington is certainly not the center of bicycling interests, though undoubtedly it can hold forth advantages otherwise, tliat no northern city in the country can — broad and elegantly paved streets, and the good-will of enlightened authorities. Fraternally yours, \V. Heel.

AMUSEMENTS

Academy of Music.

MONDAY, March 14, LA SONNAMBULA

AMINA, Mme. ETELKA GERSTER.

WEDNESDAY, March 16, IL BARBIERE DI SEVIGLIA

ROSINA, Mme. ETELKA GERSTER.

FRIDAY, March 18, Donizetti's opera, LINDA DI CHAMOUNI

LINDA, Mme. ETELKA GERSTER.

MATINEE, March 19, CARMEN.

Box office open from 9 till 5.

Union Square Theatre, 14th st. and Broadway.

Every evening- at 8.20 and Saturday matinee 1.45

A GENUINE AND PRONOUNCED SUCCESS

FELICIA; or, WOMAN'S LOVE.

Madison Square Theatre, 24th st. and Broadway.

Every evening at 8.30. Saturday matinee at 2. HAZEL KIRKE. SECOND HAZEL KIRKE

HAZEL KIRKE. YEAR. HAZEL KIRKE.

HAZEL KIRKE. SECOND HAZEL KIRKE.

ItAZEL KIRKE. YEAR. HAZEL KIRKE.

Standard Theatre,

WM. HENDERSON Every evening at 8.15.

BILLEE BILLEE BILLEE BILLEE BILLEE BILLEE BILLEE

Broadway and 33d st.

Proprietor and Manager.

Saturday Matinee at 2 CARTE & RICE'S OPERA-COMIQUE COMPANY

BILLEE TAYLOR

By Stephens and Solomon

THE LATEST SUCCESS

TAYLOR TAYLOR TAYLOR TAYLOR TAYLOR TAYLOR TAYLOR

Bijou Opera House, Broadway, bet. 30th & 31st sts.

Every evening at 8. Matinee, Saturday at 2: Mr. Edgar Fawcett's comedy, SIXES AND SEVENS. Saturday Even- ing, March 19, magnificent production of OLIVETTE, with a great cast.

Haverly's 14th St Theatre.

Monday, March 14.— First appearance here since their return from abroad of HAVERLY'S EUROPEAN MASTODON MINSTRELS. Box office open Thursday at 8 A. M. Seats for two weeks in advance.

Daly's Theatre.

NEEDLES AND PINS. Wednesday next, March 16, One-Hundredth Time. NEEDLES AND PINS. Seats now ready. MATINEE, Saturday at 2.

Vol. I.]

THE WHEEL.

[No.

RATES AND TERMS.

The Wheel is published regularly on alternate Saturday morn- ings and will be forwarded, postage prepaid, to any address for one year on receipt of $1,25, invariably in advance. European subscription 7s. Remittances should be by draft. Post Office money order or registered letter, directed to Fred. Jenkins, 75 Fulton Street, New York City, N. Y. Our rates for advertising, which are reasonable will be furnished upon application. Special rates made for continued insertions,

The Wheel may be found on sale at the

Parker House, Boston, Mass. Wm. M. Wright, 160 Fulton Street, N.Y. Wm ,Vi. Wright, 791 Fifth Avenue, N.Y. Schuyler & Duane. 189 Broadway, N.Y. Wheel Oflice, 75 Fulton Street, N.Y.

LONDON AGENCY,

Bicycling Times Office, East Temple Chambers, Whilefriars Street, Fleet Street, London, E. C. Advertisements and Sub- scriptions should be sent to C. J. Fox, Jr.

I02

THE WHEEL

"LYRA BICYCLICA;'

Forty Poets on the Wheel.

The most remarkable, curious and various series of Paro- dies, Imitations, etc., since the '■ Rejected Addresses," singing tiie history and wonders of the bicycle ; being also a satiie on the poets in a high-toney manner that makes all the literati squirm, and the magazines fear to notice it. no pp., bound in cloth. Mailed, postpaid, for 60 cents, by

J. G. DALTON, 15 Edinboro' Street, Boston, Mass.

Lock your Bicycles with the New Combination

Lock.

This Lock can be set on 160,000 different com- binations, and can be either used vvitli a chain in securing the wheels together, or for fastening the lockers in the club room, taking the place of an jordinary padlock.

PRICE, NICKELED, $1.50. ^For sale by the EXCELSIOR CYCLOMETER CO.,

75 FULTON STREET, N. Y.

FOR SALE.

One 50-inch PACER, in excellent condition. Suspension

Saddle, Automntic Bell Full Nickel Plated. Bown's yEolus

Ball Bearings to Front Wheel. Owner wishes larger size. Price $100 Address,

M. S. K.,

Care of the Wheel, 75 Fulton Street, N. Y.

Hayward the Jeweler,

202 BROADWAY. 2nd Door below Fulton St.

HEAD-QUARTERS FOR

Club Badges, Prize Medals and Jewels.

Also, a full line of

Jewelry, Watches, Chains. Rings, Lockets, Studs and Buttons, Charms, Bracelets, &c..

Order your Chtb Printing and Stationery at the

Wheel Printing Office.

75

Fulton

Street,

NEW YORK.

(Klub IHouograms, €arbs, Jfmntations, &^c., en- graucb iu tlic most artistic manner, at reasonable rates.

THE ONLY ACCURATE CYCLOMETER MANUFACTURED.

The excelsior CYCLOMETER.

(Patented in England and America,)

PRICE, HALF-NICKELED $7.50

In oidcring state size of wheel and tlianieter of axle.

EXCELSIOR CYCLOMETER CO

75 Fulton Street, New York.

These Cyclometers are finely finished, and arc provided with a neat lubri- cating cup (not shown in the cut). The dial plate is different from any pre- viously manufactured, being of nickle, protected by a ^lass face.

THE WHEEL

[03

COLUMBIA BICYCLE.

The Special Columbia is a light roadster, of close build, fine finish, and fitted with the most approved anti-friction ball-bearings., adjustable for wear. Having made several im- provements in this machine since we first offered it to the public, we feel fully justified in pronouncing it the best and handsomest bicycle in the market. We make the Special Colum bia from 46 to 60 inches ; price for 46-inch, S105.00 to $122.50 for 60-inch, half bright. All bright, $10,00 extra ; full nickel, $15.00 additional.

The Standard Columbia is a strong, durable roadster, built with a view to withstand the rough usage incidental to touring over ordinary American roads, and for hard work has no qual. It is of graceful model, built of the best materials and carefully finished in every particular. The thousands in daily use fully attest the merits of this favorite machine.

The price of the Standard Columbia, half bright, is, for a 42-inch, $8000 up to Sioo.oo for 58-inch. Full nickel, S22.50 extra. Both of the above are confidently guaranteed as the best value for the money attained in a bicycle'

The Mustang is a cheaper Bicycle, all painted, for those who cannot afford to buy a better one. We make them in smaller sizes, from 36 to 46-inch ; price, for 36-inch, $50.00, to $65.00 for 46-inch.

Send y. Stamp for lUfpage Catalogue with Price Lists and full information,

THE POPE M'F'G CO.,

597 Washington Street, Boston, Mass.

OVER THE HANDLES,

AND OTHER

'CYCLING SKETCHES.

Selected cund. Origtrtal Stories, Foerrts and, Sk-etclxes, JPrcLctzcaZ Sizg g estzons ^c, 199 pp. IllTLstvcLted. Edited Tyy

JAMES P. BURBANK, H. Bi C.

- - $1.00 ------ ,50

Mailed free, on receipt of price by

FRED. JENKINS,

75 Fulton St., N. Y.

Frice, ~bou.n,d in. ClotTt, " jxxper covers - -

No. 178 Broadway, New York.

Between Maiden Lane and Jolm Sis.

Every variety of Polo Caps for Bicyclers on hand

and made to order. Estimates promptly

furnished upon application.

Manufacturers of the Regulation Cap for the New York Yacht Club, and the Manhattan Bicycle Club,

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Meets all the requirements of the perfect bicycle-bell and gives complete satisfaction.

IT IS EFFEC- TIVE; OUT OF ^ THE WAY NOT EASILY BROK- EN HIGHLY ORNAMENTAL

The alarm is sounded by bring- ing a projecting roll against the moving rubber tire, when the roll is rotated rapidly and operates the hammer of the bell.

EASILY ATTaGiIED TO ANY BICYCLE.

No. o. Columbias of 1879. No. i Standard Oolumbias of

1880 No. 2. Haivards (Grip lever brakes). No. 3. Harvards

(Thumb brake). No. 4. Special Columbiiis. No.

5. Ordinary Oolumbias.

These alarms are finely finished and nickel plated all over.

Sent by mail on receipt of $3.00.

Send for circular.

Fred. Jenkins, 75 Fulton street.

AGENT FOR NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN.

I04

THE WHEEL

THE -py^RYHRD- R0^D^3FE^. The Special Tim- W^

berlake Roadster, The Yale Road- ster, The Nash Rttbber Han die, The Cradle Spring. Send a Three Cent stamp for the /till in- forjnation which is contained in the II- htstrated Catalo- \g^te and Price List 'misstted by CUNNINGHAM &

MANUFACTURKI^S OP

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CO.

IMPORTING- MANUFACTURKI^S OP BICYCLES AND TRICYCLKS, TREMONT STREET CORNER OF BERKLEY STREET, BOSTON, MASS.

TRE PIONEER BICYCLE HOUSE. ESTABLISHED 1877.

Cabinet Size Photographs of the above Bicycles, 15 Cents each, Postage Free.

The Excelsior Cyclometer Company take pleasure in announcing, tiiat after numerous delays they will be able to have their Cyclometers ready for the market by the 20th of Marcli. As the demand has been large, thev advise purchasers to send in their orders early, so as to secure immediate attention. Respectfully,

EXCELSIOR CYCLOMETER COMPANY, 75 Fulton Street, N. Y.

SCHUYLER & DUANE,

Importers and Dealers in

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189 Broadway, New York.

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JUST RECEIVED.— A SHIPMENT OF THE

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CLUB & SPECIAL CLUB.

The Wheel.

A yournal of Bicycling.

Vol. I. No. 14.]

MARCH 30 1881.

[Price, Five Cents.

CONTENTS

Advertisements -------

Boston Notes and Notions - - - . - .

Coming Events ----.--

Correspondence -------

Editorial — The Wheel — Concerning the Decision of the Directors In Memoriam -------

Mercury's Introduction to the Mercury Bi. .Club Pickings and Stealings - - - - -

Rates and Terms -------

Spring Meeting of the Board of Officers, L. A. W. (continued from supplement.) ------

Wheel Races -------

no 109 log 107 108 105 loS 106 no

107

ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT SECOND CLASS RATES.

Fred Jenkins ------ Editor and Proprietor

Office of Publication, 75 Fulton Street.

JUST PUBLISHED

THE

%mm\wmd% %m

IF" O I=L 1 e 3 1 -

PRICE TWENTY-FIVE CENTS.

The Wheelman's Log Book, and The Wheel for one year, will be sent to any address upon receipt of $1.25.

FRED. JENKINS, Publisher,

75 Fulton Street, New York.

Mr. Fred. Jenkins, has issued a Wheelman's Log Book for 1881, which will supply a want long felt among tourists. It consists of 32 pages, ruled for names, distances, state ot roads and general remarks. Our Bicycling friends, on turning over its pages at the end of the season, will thereby recall many pleasant events. The price, 25 cents, places it within the reach of all. We venture to predict for this little volume the success which it deserves. — Courricr.

The Wheel will be sent for one year to members of the League of American Wheelmen for fifty cents.


25ti ^^HTlcmoriaTn.
	March 19th, 1881.
	SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF ARTICLE II. CONSTITUTION, L. A. W.
	Nero \|Oork iHourns ^zx Coss.

MERCURY'S INTRODUCTION TO THE MERCURY BI- CYCLE CLUB.

BY JAS. REVELL.

As Mercury one moonlight night

Along Fifth Avenue winged his flight,

Bent on some harmless sort of fun

He halts at seven ninety one.

For glistening in the pale moonlight

He there discerned the name of " Wright;"

And on an elevated shelf

He saw a statue of himself.

" Ha! Ha!" quoth he, " now let me see

What mortals have to do with me!"

So stooping down, the latch he tried.

And entering thro' the portals wide

Accosted Carter, who enquired:

What article might be required? yuoth he, "Well I require nought But information's by nic sought. To know any connection that you Have twi.\t yourself and my staUie. It chanced to l)e a meeting night,

to6

THE WHEEL

Ami Mercurians including Wright In solemn conclave all were there, With president Noel in the chair; So learning this he quick resolved At once to have the matter solved. The Boys to see him were delighted, And matters very soon were Wrighted. They told him all about The Wheel. Examined the wing upon his heel; And one of them, 'twas Neergaard said it, He hoped the Club would do him credit; And do their very best and try To always keep the Mercury high. After which, declining a parting glass,

Swift out of sight did Mercury pass.

PICKINGS AND STEALINGS

Get out your Latin dictionary.

And your Greek Testament.

Engage your stateroom, and make up your minds to go to Boston.

Also give up the idea of ever riding in the Park.

Baked beans and culture go (figuratively speaking) hand in hand.

Writers for the press should take pains to write legibly. Our compositors cannot always safely follow the written copy exactly as it seems in the MSS. It was said to be intended for : " Her dainty feet were cased in shoes that might have been taken for fairy boots," at least that is the supposition, but the compositor says it looked exactly like, " Her dirty feet were cussed in shoes that might have been taken for ferry boats." — Christian at Work.

Mr. James Revell, who recently made a trip from New York to Boston has assumed charge of the bicycling department of the Sunday Courier. Although we lose an occasional correspon- dent in " Jimmy," we wish him all the success possible. May he gather considerable moss.

A gentleman from Chicago, writes that the article published in the Bicycling J^(?r/^/ containing extracts from Mr. Julius Wil- cox's letter, was printed for distribution among the Councilmen in Chicago, and in sending it to that paper he ommitted to in- form the editor of its proper origin. As this is a satisfactory ex- planation, we are happy to be able to apologize for our remarks.

The Hawthorne Bicycle Club of Salem held their annual meeting on Monday evening, the 14th instant, when the following officers were elected : President, A. D. Sanborn ; Vice President, George Lawrence ; Secretary, Henry Bowie ; Captain, L. B. Packard ; Sub-Captain, John A. Sanders. The Club voted to join the L. A. W., and after providing for a run on Fast Day, and tran- sacting other business adjourned. N.

A Sunday School Fair in aid of the Babies Shelter, of the Church of the Holy Communion, will be held at the Sunday School Rooms, 49 West 20th Street, from April 20th to 23d. We hope our readers will remember the homeless little ones, and bestow on them many dimes — the moderate price of admission.

A new Club called the " Kings County Wheelmen " has been organized in Brooklyn, under very auspicious circumstances. Ten owners of the wheel — Messrs. G. F. Brown, F. H. Douglas, A. Schwalbach, John Clark, E. K. Austin, Chas. Schwalbach, F. G.F Barlow, F. D. Laughlin, G. H. Hooper and Jos. McKee re- sponding enthusiastically to a call issued to the unattached rid- ers of the place, and the membership will be increased to at least fifteen during the next few weeks.

Two business meetings have been held. At the first, on th 17th instant, an election of officers was held, when the followin were elected : George T. Brown, president ; John Clark, cap- tain ; Frank H. Douglas, sub-captain ; Edward K. Austin (P. O. Box 2414, New York), secretary and treasurer. Committees were appointed and the club name adopted unanimously.

At the second meeting, held on the 24th instant, resolutions and by-laws governing the club were adopted, the club uniform to be gray shirt, brown cordurory cap, coat, and pants, and stockings of the same color ; a club badge and colors, seal brown and cardinal, were adopted ; a club committee of Messrs. Bar- low, Hooper and Laughlin, elected ; a special meeting called to take action as regards becoming members of the L. A. W., and other business of importance transacted.

The proposed runs, tours, etc., of the season will make it un- doubtedly an interresting one, and as the members are all of respectability and good social standing, there can but be a bright future for the club. D.

A friend states that he overheard the the following conversa- tion between two bootblacks in Vine street one morning about six weeks ago :

" Say, Skinny, where was you last night .''" " Me ? I was up ter Heuck's. Where was you .?" " I was down ter Pike's ter see The Merchant of Venice." " Wot kind of a piece is it, Bill ? Wot's it about ?" " Well, Skinny, its first class, an' no mistake. Yer see, ther's a cove in it named Bassanyo, an' he's dead struck on er gal named Porsher, an' he wants to marry her, but he ain't got the scads to go housekeeping. So he goes to a friend of his'n named Antonio, wot keeps boats to let, and tries to borrow the sugar off'n him. Well, biz, d'ye see, hasn't been very brisk with Tony for awhile back, and he hasn't got the ready cash ; but, as Bassanyo has done him many a good turn, he sez he'll get it for 'im. Well, he ups and goes to an old pawnbroker named Shee- lock an' strikes him fer the ducats. Well, dy'e see, this yer Sheelock doesn't like Tony for a cent, 'cause he called him tuff names, and camped him a time or two onct down to the market- house. Howsumdever, he at last agrees to let Tony hev the money, provided he'd promise to give him a pound of flesh next his heart, d'ye see, if he can't make good when the dust is due. Tony sez 'swipes' and the bargain's made. Well, Bassan and Porsher get spliced, an' go off on a bridal tower or suthin, and hev a happy old time all to themselves. Bimeby, the river freezes up or suthin, and the boat-hirin business gets awful dull, and when his little note falls due Tony hasn't got the where- withal to liquidate.

" ' Come an' see me,' says Sheelock.

" ' Sony for yer, old man,' sez Tony, ' but yer had better come around this day a month. I'll be better heeled then." Well wot does the old duffer do but go off'n get a warrant and jerks Tony inter jail. Well, when Bassanyo hears tiiis he skirmishes around like fun an' by the day of der trial he has enuff of wealth to take up der note ten times over, but Sheelock won't hev it that way and swears that he'll hev his pound of flesh or bust up the hull city government. Just as things look mighty rocky for Tony in comes Porsher disguised like a lawyer. She makes a big talk an' to hear her go on you'd think she was dead agin Tony; all of a sudden she wheeled around and sez she to Sheelock, sez she : ' It's all right fer yer pound of meat, old man, but nixey on ter blood,' an when she sed that, cull, Sheelock looked meaner nor pizen an' you could hev knocked him over with a club." — Cincin- nati Enquirer.

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE WHEEL.

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE

:Jt^tt

m t$ 1

J^We are firm believers in the League of American Wheelmen, but we do not think it right to compel its members to pay three times the amount of their annual dues to obtain information in re- gard to its workings. We have a very high respect for the " Of- ficial Organ " and wish it all manner of success, but at the same time, we do not think the League is created for its pecuniary bene- fit. We intend to issue every month a supplement containing a complete record of the proceedings of the League of American Wheelmen. This will be sent to members only for

FIFTY CENTS A YEAR,

the actual cost of printing and mailing. This issue, which we place in the hands of every member of the League, is a sample number. We shall print a list of the consuls appointed up to date, names of candidates for membership, and shall give descriptions of roads and distances, and information that will facilitate touring. To accomplish this result, we will be obliged to members if they will furnish all the information in their power to attain these ends. Address all communications to

FRED. JENKINS, Publisher, 75 Fuhon Street, N.

Y.

Officers for i88o-'8i.

President — Charles E Pratt, of Boston. Vice-Fj-esident — Thomas K Longstreth, of Philadelphia. Commander — C K Munroe, of New York, Corresponding Secretary — Albert S Parsons, of Cambridge. Recording Secretary — J Frank Burrill, of New York. Treasurer — Hugh L Willoughby, of Saratoga.

Consuls Appointed i88o-'8i.

CANADA. MONTREAL, QUE., A. T. LANE. RICHMOND, QUE., A. H. Hatchard. BRANTFORD, ONT., R. W. Leeming. GUELPH, ONT., R. R. BALDWIN, Bank of Commerce. HAMILTON, ONT., Jno. Moodie, Jr. INGERSOLL. ONT., W. Caswell. LONDON, ONT., Mr. Mcintosh. ST. CATHERINES, ONT., P. Healey. TORONTO, ONT., H. M. Blackburn. WOODSTOCK, ONT., J. G. Hay.

CONNECTICUT. BRIDGEPORT, H. A. Bishop. HARTFORD, E. W. Colt, R. C. Warder, F. E. Belden, F. C.

Penfield. MERIDEN, Dr. T. S. Rust. NEW HAVEN, Frank C. Tuttle, Wm. M. Frisbie, F. A. Jackson,

C. H. Wetmore. NEW BKITAIN, Leonard Doig. ROCKVILLE, Wm. Maxwell.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. WASHINGTON, L. W. Seely, Lenox Building, cor. 7th and G Streets, and 941 Massachusetts Avenue.

KENTUCKY. FARMDALE, Capt. C. W. Fowler. FRANKFORT, W. C. Macklin.

MICHIGAN. GRAND RAPIDS, Chas. H. Leonard.

NEW HAMPSHIRE. DOVER, C. S. Clifford, Washington Street EXETER, David Hunter McAlpine. FARMINGTON, Earnest Peavey. PORTSMOUTH, Chas. A. Davis, 25 Austin Street. RYE, L. Jenness, Jenness' Beach.

NEW JERSEY. NEWARK, Herbert W. Knight, 766 Broad Street; Edward R.

Bellman, 584 High Street. ORANGE, Warren J. Smith, Wanderers' First National Bank. PLAINFIELD, Geo. T. C. Quillie. PRINCETON, Wm. A. Field, Princeton College.

NEW YORK. ALBANY, Fred. B. Hubbard, 40 State Street. BROOKLYN, Maxwell Wrigley, 19 Lefferts Place. FRANKLIN, David D. Grant, (Postmaster) i6th Street. GREENPORT, D. J. Mears, 258 Grand Ave., Brooklyn. JOHNSTOWN, George W. Hamilton, Cambria Iron Company,

129 Lincoln Street. NEW YORK, Downing Vaux, 71 Broadway; Chas. W. Minor, I3

Park Row. NEWBURGH, J. T. Joslin, 109 Water Street. PITTSBURG, O. H. Allerton, Jr., East End StockYards, Hiland

Ave., E. E. ; Thomas L. Owen, Eliza Furnace, Hazelwood, ;

Chas. E. Wilson, 49 Fifth Ave., Lawrenceville, 45th St. SARATOGA SPRINGS, A. R. McNair, 626 N. Broadway. WILLIAMSPORT, Jo. Schneider, 32 Willow Street ; W. B. Gage,

Saratoga Springs. YONKERS, M. Clinton Smith, 171 Warburton Ave.

OHIO. CINCINNATI, Jos G. Kitchell, 345 Race Street;- H. Gaylord

Welshin, Third National Bank. CLEVELAND, Harry Glidden, Weddel House; Alfred Ely, Jr.

393 Prospect Street; Wm. J. Cotton, 13 Walingford Court SPRINGFIELD, D. E. Barnum.

PENNSYLVANIA. CHESTNUT HILL, C. Fred. Cope.

GERMANTOWN, Warren H. Foley, Main St., Germantown JENKINTOWN. J. W. Griscowne. JOHNSTONE, Geo. W. Hamilton.

PHILADELPHIA, A. G. Powell, 829 Willow Street, Philadelphia. SUSQUEHANNA, T. A. Hayward. WEST PHILADELPHIA, H. A. Blakiston, 3905 Chestnut St.,

Philadelphia. WILKESBARRE, E. W. Sturdevant.

RHODE ISLAND. PROVIDENCE, Carl A. Smith, Carpet Co.

Members Proposed.

Members of the League and Bicyclers generally should remem- ber that the object of the publication of the names of applicants for membership in the L. A. W. is that objectionable persons may be kept out.

This cannot be done unless the names are carefully watched, and notice sent to the corresponding secretary (or to any member of the Committee on Membership), if the name of any one known to be objectionable is found. However unpleasant this duty may be, it is a duty, and one which no wheelman should shirk. The names of those giving such information will be considered strictly confidential.

Applications for membership should be sent, accompanied by fees, $1.00 for individuals, or 50 cents each for clubs, whose en- tire active membership joins, to Albert S. Parsons, Cor. Sec. L. A. W., Cainbridgeport, Mass.

Applications Received During March.

Mercury Bicycle Club, all of New York. — Pierre Noel, 109 Waverly Place; William M. Wright, 160 Fulton Street; John H. Olmstead, 34 East 28th Street; Sidney H, Neergaard, 34 East 2Sth Street; Thomas E. Brown, Jr., 71 Broadway; William E. Wilmer- ding, 56 Broadway; Theodore E. Neergaard, no Madison Ave- nue; Harry Blake, 21 Cortlandt Street; Charles Noel, 109 Wav- erly Place; Lewis F. Neergaard, 34 East 28th Street; Sidney B. Wright, 160 Fulton Street; Paul Bunker , 17 Broad Street.

Centaur Bicycle Club, of Philadelphia, Pa. — Captain John E. Le Conte, 1625 Spruce Street; secretary and treasurer, Richard D. Baker, 1414 Arch Street; bugler, L. Harrison Dulles, 262 South i6th Street; N. A. Stockton, 714 Spruce Street; Charles P. Mac-

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE WHEEL.

Arthur, 4203 Walnut Street; S. P. Hutchinson, 1835 Pine Street; B. C. Tilghman, Jr., 321 South nth Street; C. Leland Harrison; 1628 Locust Street; Wm. De Ford Baker, 1414 Arch Street, Thomas D. Whitaker, Olney P. O., Pa.

Arlington Bi. Club, of Washington, D. C — F H Sturtevannt, Mt Pleasant, D C. Unattached, Charles B Olmsteadand George H Simons, Potsdam, St Lawrence County, New York; Richard F Borden, Red Bank, Monmouth County, N J; G Edward Olson, 129 Summer Street, Worcester, Mass.

SPRLNG MEETING OF THE BOARD OF OFFICERS L. A. W.

A special meeting of the Board of Officers of the League of American Wheelmen, called by the president under the rules, was held at the Boston-Massachusetts Headquarters, 40 Provi- dence street, Boston, Mass., on 19 March, 1881. The meeting had been called for 8 o'clock P. M.. to take action upon such matters as might properly come before the board ; and was called at this time because thf January meeting adjourned with- out a quorum, and the time for the regular April meeting was scarcely the required two months before the date of the May Meet.

The meeting was called to order by President Charles E. Pratt, at the appointed time, tlie following officers being present: President, Charles E. Pratt ; Directors, C. H. Lamson, of Port- land, Me ; R. A. Fairfiekl, of Biddeford, Me.; C. A. Hazlett, of Portsmouth, N. H.: E. C. Hodges, of Boston ; W. H. Richmond, Providence, R. I.; S. A. Marsden, of New Haven, Conn.

Both secretaries being absent. Director Hodges was chosen secretary pro teinpo)-c. The president stated the object of the meeting, and that no quorum was present, though other officers were expected. Whereupon, upon motion of Mr. Lamsen, of Maine, it was voted that a recess be taken to await the arrival of members. At the expiration of the recess, the president again called the meeting to order, when the following additional officers were present: T. B. Beach, of Hartford, Conn.; Secre- tary, J. Frank Burrill, of New York ; Corresponding Secretary, A. S. Parsons ; and subsequently, Commander C. K. Munroe, of New York, and Diiector W. F. GuUen, of Brooklyn. The secretary read the minutes of the last meeting, which were approved.

On motion of Mr. Lamson, of Maine, Mr. Wistar, secretary of the Germantown Bi. Club, Mr. Putnam, of the New York Bi. Club, and Mr. Harrison, of the Boston Bi. Club, and editor of the Bicycling World, were invited to take seats with the mem- bers.

The chair then read several reports from Commander Monroe, offered at the January meeting, and a report offered at the same time by the Committee on Meetings. As the facts have been heretofore published, and the suggestions therein contained adopted, they will not again be given in detail.

The chair then read a communication from the secretary of the Union Velocipcdique de France relating to the definition of an amateur in France, and asking its acceptance by the L. A. W. Tlie letter was published in full in the Bicycling World. II March, 1881.

After a spirited discussion on the question of accepting the newly created French amateurs, as admitted under the recent French laws on the subject, the matter was referred, upon mo- tion of Mr. Marsden, to the Committee on Rules and Orders.

On motion of Recording Secretary Burrill, it was voted that the corresponding secretary be directed to address a fraternal communication to the L'nion Velocipcdique de France express- ing the League's congratulations, and stating that the matter of the rule adopted by them as to amateur and professional is under consideration.

RULES AND REGULATIONS. The Chair, in behalf of the Committee on Rules and Regula- tions, reported that the Constitution fixed the initiation fee, but no assessments or after fees. Tiiis, he said, was the duty of the board of oificers, which had not been discharged In the opinion of the committee, the board may fix this by a rule which would be simply supplimentary to the rules already adopted, and

would not require ratification at a subsequent meeting. They recommend the adoption of the following

MEMBERSHIP FEES.

Each member shall pay to the treasurer of the League, on or before the first day of June, in each year following his admission to the League, the sum of $1.00, as a membership fee, and shall forward therewith his name, address, and membership number on his old ticket ; and thereon shall receive a new ticket for that year, provided he be entitled to one otherwise, and subject to the conditions contained in the rules of the League. Any mem- ber failing to comply with the terms of this rule for the period of twenty days shall forfeit his membership, and his name shall be stricken from the roll, and he shall return his badge to the corrrsponding secretary.

On motion of Mr. Hodges, the report of the membership com- mittee was accepted. The question then turned upon the adop- tion of the same as a rule.

Mr. Marsden. — Is there any difference between the amount paid by the club men and the unattached }

President. — The committee are of opinion that this was an inducement to new members to join the League, but when once in the League their fees should be the same as others. In view of the finances, it will not do to make a distinction. The League now has, say, 1,300 members ; at the beginning of the new year it will probably number between 1,500 and 1,800 ; that measures the income for the next year, to a great extent. We have to incur certain expenses, and it is the purpose of the League to incur greater expense for printing than it has incurred this year. It is also the purpose of the League to meet counsel fees, etc., and it is evident that the revenues will not be too large if $1.00 is charged. It seems to us that a yearly assessment of $1.00 is small enough.

The motion of Mr. Hodges was carried, and the rule as of- fered was adopted.

LEAGUE uniform.

Mr. Hodges, in behalf of the Committee on Rules and Orders, offered the following report, which was accepted : —

The Committee on Uniforms would report that they have solicited samples and estimates from several of the largest firms in the country, and would respectfully recommend that the uni- form should consist of a " Bedford blouse," plaited in Iront and back, with a belt ; close-fitting knee breeches, both polo cap or helmet, gray stockings. Material, gray homespun. The lowest responsible bid was from G. W\ Simmons & Son, Boston, Mass., and is as follows :

Blouse, $10; breeches, $5 ; stockings, %\ ; polo cap. $1 ; hel- met, $1.50: all subject to a discount of fifteen per cent, to League members. The committee respectfully recommend that Messrs. G. W. Simmons & Son be appointed League outfitters.

C. E. Pratt, A. S. Parsons, E. C. Hodges,

Conunittee.

On motion of Mr. Hodges, the following rule was unani- mously adopted : "That the League costume shall consist of a 'Bedford Ijiouse ' with belt, close-hiting knee-breeches, polo cap or helmet, all of homespun gray, with stockings to match. The wealing of the uniform shall be optional.'''

It was also Voted, "That Messrs. G. W. Simmons & Son be appointed as League outfitters to furnish the unilbrm, until otherwise ordered."

The Committee on Rights and Privileges, through Mr. Pratt, of Boston, offered a communication from C. A. Hazlett, director from New Hampshire, concerning three wheelmen in Exeter, N. H., who are sued for frightening a horse last November, there by causing an accident to a lady, and who have asked for League assistance in defence.

After a short debate, 011 motion of Mr. Marsden, it was Voted, " That the matter be indefinitely postponed, for the reason that at the time of the trouble the riders were not members of the League."

FINANCES, Ere.

The Committee on Finance had no re[)ort to offer. On mo- tion of Mr. Beach, of Conneeticut, it was Voted, "That the offi-

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE WHEEL.

■cers and committees be requested to make reports to the presi- dent, on or before 15 May next, their reports to be made up to I May, for their various departments."

On motion of Mr. Hodges, it was Voted, "That the Treasurer be requested to make up a report to the date of this meeting to the president of the League, for publication."

CONSUL BADGES, ETC.

On motion of Mr. Parsons, it was Voted, "That the League provide for the consuls, the letter ' C,' to be used as a pendant between the handle bar and wheel of the present badge.''

It was also Voted, " That members of clubs be requested to wear their club colors underneath their League badge."

Also on motion of Mr. Parsons it was Voted, " That the cer- tificate for appointment of consel be signed by the directors of the State, and countersigned by the corresponding secretary, and that blanks for such certificates be prepared by the corres- ponding secretary, and forwarded to the directors."

HAND-BOOK FOR MEMBERS.

The president called the attention of the board to the neces- sity of publishing a small pocket hand-book, containing a list of the ■officers, consuls, constitution and rules, for the use of members, and suggested that it be prepared by the Coommittee on Rules and Orders, or under their direction, to be furnished to the members at a small price, sufficient to cover expense of printing, mailing, etc. On motion of Mr. Hodges, it was Voted, " That the Committee on Rules and Orders be authorized and requested to have published a hand-book for members, contain- ing the names of officers, consuls, and the constitution and rules, and such other directions as they may deem necessary."

COMMUNICATIONS.

Mr. Parsons, corresponding secretary, read a communication from Dr. E. B. Ward, of Detroit, te'ndering his resignation as a •director, which was accepted.

A communication from the Crescent Bicycle Club, offering to give an exhibition of fancy riding, provided the Meet was held in New York, was referred to the commander, with full power to act.

A letter was also read from the Hermes Bicycle Club, of Providence, which the corresponding secretary was directed to answer.

"continent BADGE."

The first continent badge being larger than the committee had expected, Mr. Parsons said they had compromised with the jew- eller who had made the new dies, for one half their cost, and asked the board to pass a vote authorizing the treasurer to pay twenty-five dollars in settlement, which was done.

The Committee on Membership, Mr. Parsons continued, authorized the jeweller to make badges for the officers, at an expense not exceeding four dollars and fifty cents each; the jeweller now claims that he cannot make them for that price, and renders a bill of five dollars each. Mr. Parsons asked for the action of the board.

On motion of Mr. Hodges, Voted, " That no allowance be made for the extra expense claimed by the maker of the League Badges, for making the plates for the executive officers."

MAY MEET.

The president called the attention of the Board to the approach ofthe time for the May Meet; and in this connection read a communication from the Park Commissioners of New York, giv- ing permission to the League to pass through the Central Park on 30 May ; also, a communication from Vice-President Long- streth, in favor of holding the meeting in New York; and letters from Treasurer Willoughby, Directors White, of Baltimore, and Ely, of Cleveland, favoring the same city. Directors Thomas, of Louisville : Munroe, of Buffalo, and Hibbard, of Milwaukee, favored Washington.

F. M. Gifford, of Edina, Mo., favored Chicago, or some other Western city ; and Horace S. Tibbs, of Montreal, preferred Bos- ton. The Chair stated further that the report ofthe Committee on Membership favored Washington.

A recess was here taken for lunch.

On reassembling, Mr. Dillwyn Wistar, of Philadelphia, and Mr. Louis Harrison, editor of the Jiicyciiiio- JVor/d, were in-

vited to express their ideas on the subject of the coming Meet ; each Deing allotted ten minutes.

Mr. Wistar spoke first, as follows: "I would say by way of preface, that Philadelphia did not fully wake up to the question of having the Meet in her city until about a week ago, the reason being that Washington was thought to be the best place for the Meet, and so decided by the advisory committee When, how- ever, the discussion commenced as to the merits ot New York and Philadelphia, it opened the doors, and we finally concluded that Philadelphia was the proper place when it came to be a question between New York, Philadelphia, or Washington.

'• Looking at the desirability of Philadelphia, perhaps the first point to take up is its accessibility. Trains leave the New York and New England depot in Boston, at 6 o'clock in the evening, arrive in Philadelphia by 6 o'clock next morning. By the end of May, passengers can be put down in the centre of Philadel- phia, if they see fit, and go at once to their hotels ; if, however, they prefer to debark at the park, there is a station there called the ' Zoological Station," at which they can debark with their machines at one hundred feet or so of the main exhibition build- ing, where we propose to have facilities for storing machines in any number. We propose to have men there, to guard day and night, and to give out checks, if desired, for bicycles left in their care. We also propose to have a mechanic on hand to attend to the machines when necessary.

"The Park Commissioners consist of maybe fifteen members, and like other bodies, are divided up into committees. The committee with which bicyclers have hitherto had to do, under the rules, is a committee called 'superintendence and park police.' That committee sat last Friday, and before them ap- peared a committee of Philadelphia bicylers, and stated the wants ofthe Philadelphia bicyclers, assuming to represent, to a certain extent, the wishes of bicyclers in all parts of the country. We stated the case as fully as possible ; but this committee, unfortunately, were not able at the time to give us an absolute decision. It was impossible to arrive at a decision on such short notice. On that committee were several members we know personally are favorable to bicycling — one certainly is, and another is favorably disposed. The result of the confer- ence with the Park Comniissioners was, they told us we might go ahead and invite the League to meet in Philadelphia. In consideration of our desire to invite strangers from different parts ofthe country, they gave us to understand that they would give us permission to use the park within reasonable limits. They appointed one of their body — that member was Gen. Thayer, general superintendent ofthe park, who, I will say, in- cidentally, is a young man and a lover of athletic sports. We conferred with Gen. Thayer very satisfactorily. We made our request in writing: the gist of it is, that we are to have the use of the park four days — it maybe trimmed down to three, but four is what we asked for ; the use of the West Park up to three o'clock; all the drives in the forenoon. After three o'clock we have the asphaltum walks and some of the drives around the main exhibition building, to the extent of three or four miles — the choicest walks in the whole park, both as to width and quality of our surface. To enlarge upon the park itself is unnecessary. I would simply say that the ground has been held for a park for the last ten years ; the roads are all laid scientifically, and the surface is in good condition.

"The main exhibition building we consider quite a feature, because it contains twenty-one acres under one single roof. The floor of the building; is, as a g-eneral thing, good enough for satisfactory riding, through the aisles and passageways. In case of stormy weather, the riding of course would be limited to the building, but it would still have some scope. There is a large space of about 200 feet square, right under the centre transit ofthe building, and is built so well that roller skating is indulged in. Our convention could be held on that spot.

" As to the hotels, it is unnecessary to mention those. We have, as every city has, many first-class hou.-ies, and entertain- ments are as plenty as in any first-class city.

" We believe that if the Meet is held in Philadelphia it will draw from the whole of the West and New York ; as for New England, the New York and New ICngland Kailro:\(l Company could take all the bicyclers who wanted to go wilhout rhange.

IV

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE WHEEL.

Bicyclers would have no such trouble getting to the place of meeting as they would have in New York City. The elevated railroad, when once aboard, is no doubt a good thing, but there would necessarily be great difficulty in the way of mounting and dismounting the stairs."

Mr. Hodges. — I would like to inquire the expense of going from New York to Philadelphia— the regular rate.?

Mr. Wistar. — The regular rate is from $2.50 to $3.00, accord- ing to the trains taken. I will add that the fare on the New York and New England Railroad from Boston to Philadelphia is $8.25 ; that does" not include a sleeping-car ticket. The fare from Philadelphia to Washington is $4.50.

Mr. Hodges. — Are thereany large hotels near the park?

Mr. Wistar. — No, not in that part of the city ; but very soon the railroad company expects to have trains running into the heart of the city. If so, it would take but a few minutes to run to a number of good hotels.

Mr. Harrison. — Mr. President, I do not think that I can add anything of interest to the discussion — not even the small weight of personal opinion, as I have been unable to form any as yet.

I have been aided in preserving a neutrality by the letters sent me from the various clubs belonging to the League, as they contain some excellent arguments in favor of nearly all the cities under discussion. As it may be of interest to you to know the popular expression of opinion, I will briefly outline what has been said in these letters. The sentiment in the Lafayette and VVilkesbarre clubs is strongly in favor of Phila- delphia, and without doubt the home clubs, which are strong in numbers, favor the Quaker City. From Elgin, 111., to Colum- bus, 0„ the West is iTi favor of Washington. as the most desir- able Eastern city. The Chicago men are, however, not bent upon having it in any particular place, as I learn from them that they will turn out as large a delegation as possible wherever the Meet is held.

In New England, the New Haven men rather favor New York City, and I understand that the Crescents, of this city, have ex- pressed themselves in favor of the same place. The Boston, Massachusetts, Chelsea, Worcester, Brattleboro, Providence, Heimes, Framingham, Waltham, Haverhill, Marlboro', Brock- ton, Roxbury, New Britain, and Hartford clubs are unanimously in favor of Boston.

This leads me to think that the popular sentiment is for the last-named city ; but popular sentiment is but one of the many considerations to be thought of, and I would not have my knowl- edge of it weigh in the present discussion. The gentlemen here assembled represent, as does the question itself, large and wide-spread interests ; and although each of them, perhaps, appreciates the advantages fully of the city of his choice, yet I do not think that any one understands the whole situation so thorpughly as not to be able to learn something from a careful debate of the question.

Mr. Burrill. — I think that as this question is so divided in opin- ion, it would be well to arrange in some way to leave it in the hands of the president of this association, to have the Meet in some place where, according to his judgment, it would be for its best interest.

The President. — In answer to the remarks of the gentleman from .\ew York, the Chair will state that the constitution and rules make it the duty of the Board of Officers to decide where the Meet shall be held ; and further, the Chair is not anxious to take the responsibility mentioned upon his shoulders.

Mr. Burrill. — I have no official orders from any one who is connected with looking up the details incident to the Meet, but I know that several committees were appointed from the different clubs in New York. One committee was to procure the park ; another to secure ample accommodations ; another committe was appointed to secure satisfactory rates at first-class hotels in the vicinity of the place of the Meet, from all of which we would hear if the gentlemen who hold the papers were here. I am satisfied that the delay in their being here is not their fault, and believe that if a recess were taken until their arrival, they will present special inducements to iiold the Meet in New York City.

After a lengthy discussion, it was thought best to lay the sub- ject of the .Meet on the tai:ilt; and proceed to other business, in

the hopes that the New York officers would put in their appear- ance at the conclusion of other business.

NEW MEMBERS.

The name of R. C. Wander was objected to as a member of the League. After a terse discussion, the following unanimous vote was reached, on motion of Mr. Beach of Hartlbrd : —

" IV/iereas, It appears that the objections made to the member- ship committee to the admission of R. C. Wander are not sus- tained, but, on the contrary are proved to be erroneous, FoUd, that Mr. R. C. Wander be admitted a member of the Le.-igue."

The name of G. H. Ciaig, ot Chicago, was referred back to the membership committee, with instructions to report more fully in regard to the allegations.

Francis H. Craigen, on motion of Mr. Beach, was admitted as a member of the League.

The New York officers still being absent, a recess was taken until 8 o'clock p. M.

EVENING SESSION.

The board resumed its business at eight o'clock p. M., the belated New York members having arrived during the recess.

On motion of Mr. Munroe, of New York, it was Foto/, "That the meaning of Article 10 of the rules is construed by this board to mean that the clubs are to parade in the order of their re- spective ages as members of the League, and not of the dates of their club formation."

Mr. Munroe also presented a communication from the united clubs of New York, inviting the League to hold its next Meet in their city, with the following remarks : To supplement that in- vitation, I will say, that every wheelman in New York, without exception, I believe, is anxious to have the Meet in New York. They appreciate the difficulties in the way, and are willing to use every effort to overcome them. There are certain reasons which would make it appear that New York is an unfavorable place, and there are other reasons why it is desirable that the Meet should be held there. Bicycling at present in New York is conducted under great disadvantage. Almost every one is down on us, and we labor under disadvantages that other cities are free from. We think a successful League Meet in New York would place bicycling on a better footing. Certainly the papers would give us full reports. Then we have permis- sion to ride through the park. That may seem a little thing, but it is more than we have been able to do before, and it seems as if we pass it by that we are throwing away a valuable opportu- nity.

New York is a central point, and we could draw from North, South, East and West better than any other city could, on ac- count of location.

If you decide to come to New York we can provide ample ac- commodations for wheels, and for a business meeting of the League, and will try to make the transportation of the wheels from the various termini of railroads and steamboats as easy as possible. We assure you that we will do the best possible for your comfort and enjoyment.

Mr. Burrill. — I would like to hear the views of others. Per- haps Mr. Gullen will speak.

Mr. Gullen. — I am in favor of having the Meet in New York, if we can see our way of taking the machines. We will do all that is possible, if you do come, to make the Meet a success.

President. — What concessions have you received from the Park Commissioners ?

Mr. Munroe. — It would seem necessary for the success of the Meet that we should have a day in the park, and when this proposition was made to the Commissioners, they denied it by a tie; upon reconsidering the motion, one of the members who had voted against it said if we would name two hours during the day, he miglit vote in favor. That being all that could be done, one of the gentlemen named the hours from 9 to 10 in the morn- ing, and from i to 2 in the afternoon, whereupon their vote was reconsidered. I think the morning hour could be changed with a little trouble to 10 to 11 ; but more than getting two hoursr— one in the forenoon and one in the afternoon — is impossible.

Mr. Burrill. — I move we proceed to ballot for the next place of meeting of this League.

Mr. Hodges. — I hope the gentlemen will not proceed to ballot [Continued on page 108.]

THE WHEEL

107

CORRESPONDENCE

Farmdale, Ky., March 18, 1881.

Since my last, I have managed to beat the clerk of the weather out of three days, fit for riding, the second of which saw me take a header. It happened thusly : knowing that I could not ride ride far on account of the state of the roads, I did not take the trouble to remove my long-tailed coat ; the wind was blowing "abaft the beam," and it caught up one of the skirts of my coat and rammed it in between the wheel and backbone ; anyone can tell the result ; but as the road was somewhat rough, I was not riding fast, and I managed to light right side up. I shall change coats in future.

One of my friends came in my room the other day, and said, " Captain, whatever became of your ' cyclone ? " " My cyclone ?'" I said in astonishment, for I could see he was in earnest.

" Yes, sir, that thing you were making to tell how far you go on a bicycle."

" O, my cyclometer, you mean. Well, I have my drawings, specifications, etc., ready to apply for a patent. I shall send them off on the i8th instant. The firm that is making the model has made three, but none of them suited the maker exactly ; but I am assured that the one he is now working on will be all right." And when that cyclometer does come out it is going to be the cyclometer. I shall call it the " Perfect," indicative of its quali- ties.

Every wheelr^n should keep a log, and in order to keep an accurate one, he should have an accurate cyclometer. How can he be expected to know the distance he travels when going over strange roads ? No two persons he meets will give him the same answer for the same distance, and the bicycler will be apt to favor the one that gave the greater distance. The common cy- clometer with vertically suspended weight on the inside is about as bad, or good, as the persons we meet, in telling the distance. I am afraid to say any more on the ideal cyclometer, for brother Pratt might become cynical, or humorous Q) again.

I am not certain, but I think I have discovered something that will help my brother wheelers, in regard to clean, or rusty bicy- cles. Procure five cents worth of red anahne and put it in a half pint of shellac varnish. The whole becomes a