RECREA TION. 



219 



then something happened. My wheel 

 shot along before me, and not on its tires 

 either. If I had not landed sidewise 

 on my hip and hands together, I believe 

 I should have punctured either the ice 

 or my own tire. When I slackened 

 down to a moderate speed and finally 

 stopped, one of the boys kindly brought 

 me my cap. Another overtook the 

 wheel and brought it back, when I was 

 glad to find it was not injured. 



My wheel is a 27 pound Sunol; my three 

 brothers and I have learned to ride on 

 it, and I have ridden over everything in 

 reason — even through a 10 acre stubble 

 field, close to the hounds, who were hot 

 on the track of a fox ; but hereafter I 

 think I shall draw the line at a frozen 

 river. 



THE CHICAGO CYCLE SHOW. 



The Chicago show was a success, and sur- 

 passed its predecessors in a surprising degree. 

 Nearly all exhibitors did business in excess of 

 their expectations, and the cycling public, cer- 

 tainly, had a rare opportunity to judge of the 

 size of the wheel industry in America. 



A good feature was the modest, but attractive 

 form of the exhibits, which were much more 

 tasty than on former occasions. 



An idea which met with general favor was that 

 of dividing the show into two sections, one 

 being devoted to tires and other accessories, and 

 the other to the complete machines. 



In the tire exhibit were shown numerous novel 

 inventions and there were so-called improve- 

 ments without limit. 



Several concerns exhibited their racing men, 

 and these were almost constantly surrounded by 

 admiring groups. 



Novelties were plentiful, one concern showing 

 three machines which were new to most of the 

 people. These were a tandem, a triplet, and 

 especially a quadruplet ; the latter being the 

 one which paced John S. Johnson when he rode 

 his famous straight-away mile at Buffalo. 



The " living pictures " were unique and drew 

 large crowds. Cycling in its various stages of 

 development was typically presented and modern 

 conditions were shown magnificently. Promi- 

 nent racing men posed in these pictures and of 

 course were the principal features. 



One of the most novel exhibits was that of 

 the Monarch Cycle Co., which had the largest 

 space of any concern at the show. They dis- 

 played their machines beautifully. One was 

 finished in imitation of bark, and was an artistic 

 wonder. Another was set within a gold frame 

 with dark background, and was in motion. The 

 pretty effect in this was heightened by the 

 arrangement of incandescent lights, of different 

 colors, through the frame and wheels. 



CYCLING NOTES. 



A new style of machine is called the giraffe. 

 The wheels are 28 inch, and the frame 9 to n 

 feet high. It is used for advertising purposes 

 and has no practical utility. 



The managers of the professional cycling 

 league in Australia want Zimmerman to race in 

 the Antipodes next year, and it is said they have 

 offered him liberal inducements to do so. Zim- 

 merman says he is undecided whether he will 

 race next year or not. 



Edwards, the English champion; Lesna, the 

 Swiss; Gerney, the French, and Verheyen, the 

 German champion, who competed in the cycle 

 races at Madison Square Garden, sailed for 

 Europe on December 6th. Edwards and Ver- 

 heyen said that if a cash prize cycling league is 

 formed in this country next year they will come 

 over and compete. 



A third of a mile bicycle track is being built in 

 Jacksonville, Fla. Several race meets for pro- 

 fessionals and amatures will be held there during 

 the winter. 



It is probable that a mile record will exist at 

 the close of this year which will be under 1.30. 

 Of course it will be a straight away and must be 

 ridden under the most favorable conditions. The 

 cyclist has excelled the horse, at his greatest 

 speed, and the wheel has now but to conquer 

 steam power. 



Most of the crack riders are to commence light 

 indoor work this month. This continues up to 

 the opening of the season when " plugging" be- 

 gins. Truly the racing man has to work hard 

 for his laurels. 



This year's pattern of wheels for women is to 

 weigh not much more than those for men. In 

 fact many ladies will ride men's wheels, of ex- 

 tremely light-weight. 



Ray McDonald has abandoned his proposed 

 trip to the south to attempt record breaking. He 

 will not race again until next spring. 



M. F. Dirnberger, the first man to ride a mile 

 in 1. 51 was retired during last season, but will 

 re-appear this year and doubtless be prominent. 



Since October 1, Secretary Fairchild, of the 

 Century Road Club, of America, has received 

 536 applications for Century bars. 



The winners in the silver medal mileage con- 

 test of the Lexington Wheelman are as follows: 

 — E. C. Hungerford, 3,633 miles; L. A. Hamil- 

 ton, 1.500 miles; E. G. Krumm, 1,500 miles; 

 W. B. Mulford, 1,500. 



An American racing team, under the manage- 

 ment of F. E. Spooner, will travel in Mexico 

 this winter, racing in all the large cities and re- 

 turning next June. 



In the team will be L. D. Cabanne, of St. 

 Louis, holder of the quarter mile unpaced record 

 of 25 seconds ; Dr. A. T. Brown, of Cleveland, 

 the speedy quarter miler, with a world's record of 

 28 3-5 seconds, in competition ; L. A. Callahan, 

 of Buffalo, road and track champion ; E. F. 

 Leonart, Buffalo, whose straightaway record of 

 im. 35s. still stands the fastest mile by man or 

 beast, and A. J. Nicolett, of Chicago, who will 

 do trick riding. Frank Lyman, trainer of Bliss, 

 in 1893, will have charge of the training. 



