“WHERE SHALL WE RIDE?”
But one thing is likely to interfere with the bicycle campaign in our large cities and towns; and that is the difficulty of finding suitable places to ride in. Our latest hobby is already ridden with remarkable fury in the streets, and will continue to be so, by those who make the machine a means of utility. Foot passengers, however, claim the sidewalks as their exclusive rights; and will hardly be pleased to feel in perpetual terror of—
and those who ride for amusement, are anxiously looking for suitable places, where they can do so without annoyance to passers, or being interfered with by them; where they can see and be seen; and where their skill can be admired.
But velocipede tracks are now in preparation. Race-courses will be free to the bicycle, velocipede stables will open in their vicinity, and the proprietors will rapidly line their pockets. All the skating ponds will be metamorphosed into velocipedariums and velocipede rinks. These will make capital exercise grounds, where numberless riders can make their graceful curves to the music of a good band; and where, in hot summer weather, they can be protected from the sun by awnings. The large parks will be open to velocipedestrians.
It has been currently reported that the Commissioners of Central Park, New York, have prohibited the driving of the bicycle there; but the rumor is without foundation. No such interdict will be issued, unless the blooded horses object to the novel machine, by running away. Well-bred horses, whether thorough-bred or not, already manifest no emotion at the sight of the vehicle. Without doubt, the Commissioners will yield gracefully to the public demand.
In New York, a project has been advocated of building an elevated railway, from Harlem to the Battery, to be used only by velocipede riders. On such a railway, thirty feet wide, and with a flooring of hard pine, it would be possible to go from one end of Manhattan Island to the other in about an hour, making allowance for delays, from stoppages and accidents. A good rider, with a clear track, could easily accomplish the distance in half an hour; but, with a well-filled road, progress would necessarily be slower.
In Prospect and Washington Parks, Brooklyn, the bicycle votaries are allowed the same privileges as equestrians. Many of the level streets of that city, with the Nicholson and concrete pavements, furnish a capital surface for the velocipedestrians, and are great resorts. It is even said, that the benign City Fathers propose to bridge the gutters for their accommodation.
The residents of Boston will find good riding grounds, easy of access to the city, on many of the smooth roads of its beautiful suburbs.
Philadelphians can ride the velocipede on their straight, level streets. We know of no place so admirably adapted to the bicycle, as Broad Street, Philadelphia, with its miles of Nicholson pavement.
VELOCIPEDE RACING.
Another feature of the velocipede campaign, will be races against time, and contests of rival riders. Fast and slow races for money, silver cups, and other prizes, follow each other night after night in most of our rinks. All the race-courses will be used for this purpose. A provision for this sort of sport is in progress, at the Capitoline Ball-ground, Brooklyn, where in May a half-mile track of smooth hard road-way will be ready.
The managers of the Prospect Park Association, of the same place, have made arrangements to signalize their first spring meeting for 1869, with a grand velocipede tournament; at which prizes amounting to $1,500 will be given for the best time, to the winners of a series of races. These races will be governed by a special code of rules, which will include handicapping for weight of machines and riders, diameter of driving wheel, and extent of treadles. There will be first, second, and third prizes for the greatest speed; prizes for the best time made; and prizes for slow riding. This tournament will afford, not only an excellent opportunity for the display of skill in American velocipede riding, but also a fair chance to show off the merits of the different styles of machines. It will create an excitement, and it is anticipated that many thousand people will be present.
The proprietors of Riverside Park, near Boston, also intend to inaugurate a series of bicycle contests on their course during the ensuing summer.
At the last annual meeting of the Housatonic Agricultural Society of Berkshire County, Mass., a vote was passed, offering premiums for bicycle races, at the next exhibition and fair.
Velocipede races are now a feature of the French turf meetings. These are less cruel, and more attractive and exciting, than running horses under whip and spur. In the suburbs of Paris, a race of this kind is especially interesting. The village in which it takes place is in holiday guise; banners flaunt gaily, and eagles, wreaths, and flowers are to be seen in every direction. The mayor is usually present, with a red, white, and blue scarf, his badge of office. The riders wear jockey caps and silk jackets, and at the moment of starting are drawn up abreast. The fair sex mount their chairs, wave their hands, flourish their handkerchiefs, laugh, and scream with delight as their favorites start at the signal. In spite of the exertions of the gendarmes, the crowd closes in behind the contestants, who are soon lost to sight. In a few moments, however, distant shouts and cheers announce the return; and the crowd opens, to allow the passage of the victor, who passes the winning-post amidst great applause.
The fastest time which has thus far been made in France, was one mile in two minutes and fourteen seconds. There is a record also, of two miles having been made in four minutes and fifty-six seconds. This extraordinary speed was attained on a perfect track, with large-wheeled machines.
Among the velocipede wagers which have had place in our newspapers, we mention one or two of the more remarkable. It is said that a Providence pedestrian and rope-walker is to commence, on the first day of June next, the unparalleled feat of propelling a velocipede of his own manufacture, a distance of three thousand miles in thirty days, averaging one hundred miles per day, for a wager of $5,000. During the trip, he is to ride the velocipede one hundred and fifty miles in twenty-four hours, and one trial only will be allowed.
Two New York gentlemen have wagered $1,500 a side to ride from New York to Chicago. Articles of agreement have been drawn up and signed with a forfeit of $250 each.