Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1894 — WRINKLES IN WHEELS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WRINKLES IN WHEELS

MANY NEW NOVELTIES BEING INTRODUCED. Meyele* Rigged for Salla by Which Great Speed Is Attained—Derlee of a Frenchman to Bring the Arma Into Play While Biding a Wheel. For Those Who Rida The friends of cycling are legion and their number is augmented every day. Ab a sport it remains as popular as ever, and during the enforced dullness of the winter months the cyclist dreams but of the prospective enjoyment of another season. Long before the advent of the first robin and the timid crocus, the wheelman has burst in full bloom and can be seen gayly “pumping’ through mud and slush having a glorious time in making himself and others believe that gentle spring has come. It is no longer necessary for the cycle enthusiast to, during the winter months, consign his “trusty steed* to an obscure corner, there to gather but rust and dust. An enterprising genius In Erie, Pa., has come to the rescue and invented an ice and snow bicycle which is to fill the ever-present long-

felt want. The inventor claims great things for this machine, and if it can perform half of what is promised, the ice cycle ought certainly to become popular. The new affair is provided with runners and has a skate-like equipment clamped to one of the wheels. The tire of the hind wheel is furnished with sharp prongs by the means of which a good grip is secured on a slippery surface. The speed attained by the ice cycle under favorable circumstances is said to be very great. Nevertheless it is doubtful if in its present development the machine can become popular. The decided novelty in the bicycle world, and one which will be sure to create a sensation, is a machine invented by M. Valere, a noted French engineer. It is on exhibition in Paris, where it has attracted considerable attention from all wheelmen attending the great bicyle exhibition now being held in that city. The most serious objection to the sport has been that While the legs and their muscles are getting more than enough of exercise, the arm and upper portion of tike body receive relatively none,

being, as a rule, held in a rigid position. It is with the aim to overcome this grave drawback that Valere has constructed his bicycle, which he has given the name of “running machine, ** on account of the motions made by the rider. The hand-bars of this machine are entirely dispensed with, and in their stead are two levers, which are worked almost horizontally. When in motion the rider looks like a person running and swinging his arms. That is to say, when the left leg, for instance, is advanced in pressing down the pedal the right arm performs the corresponding movement in putting one of the levers backward. There is a concerted action of both hands and

feet, the repulsion of the one and the traction of the other. These two forces are concentrated to give the bicyCle the highest momentum of speed. The inventor appeared before the Minister of Liberal Arts and by his many practical tests of the various advantages claimed for his machine was given a document in which M. Valere is declared to have “invented one of the best Ot bicycles. ” Great is his invention, indeed, if it can be practically demonstrated that a man in riding this contrivance can use his arms as effectually for a driving power as he can his legs. Aside from this advantage there will be aa opportunity for the development of as formidable biceps as there is now of calves, When it comes to speed this new machine is a marvel; there has been

nothing in the way of bl. tri, or any a Valere handled by an experienced rider the average speed* will bo about thirty-seven miles an hour! If all or ■'X - * 'J'• . / -S?-y

even half of the wonderful things promised for this machine be true, we can look forward to a complete revolution of bicj cling. For a pacemaker the quadruplet seems to win more favor than any other machine of the same nature. It is not a feature that will become popular, and few clubs will indulge in the extrava-

gance of one or more of these swift but cumbersome machines: their place is more among the freaks than among the regular “wheels.” In this class may also be mentioned anew “trainer,” consisting of a pair of wheels, the axle of which is provided • with adjustable handles. You push these wheels before you and run or walk at any pace described. This mode of exercise is said to be extrem ly beneficial in strengthening the lungs and securing great development of the chest. For people t<» whom tnis would seem too violent exercise, the new room cycle offers every advantage. With this in your chamber you can enjoy all the excitement of a “run" or race without any of its attendant drawbacks. A gauge in front indicates at what a terrible rate of speed you are going while you are standing still. For persons of sedentary occu> ation and those who think their rotundity some-

what too pronounced these room cycles or home trainers offer splendid opportunities for improvement of both health and muscle. I ropolled on Land by Sall*. Sailing on dry land sounds a trifle incongruous, but it will be a popular sport next summer. The only reason that sailing on bicycles does not become a prominent feature is no doubt because it is a comparatively new thing. Some time last summer an enterprising Californian rigged his safety with sails and the experiment was a complete success. Abroad the idea has taken like wildfire, and judging from the reports it must be great tun. Mr. White

of San Bernardino, is, perhaps, father of the scheme. He uses a ten-foot mast and an eight-foot boom and fastens the mast in a head block. This block must not be fastened to the handle bars, but must be bolted .to the below the elbow, as this allows the nfee use of the handles to direct the Wheel’s course. The cost of the whole outfit, including a nice sail, <Mght not to exceed $lO. It requires very little practice to become an expert in handling the sail, and with faVorab e the speed ought to be about thirty pailes an hour. As a matter of course, care must

be taken in sailing along the country roads. While scudding under a stiff breeze the rider might suddenly bring up against some startled nag or irate bull, which might have serious results. Many of the later improvements in cycle sailing tackle dispense with the boom entirely, and simply carry a triangular canoe sail of generous proportions rigged on an exceedingly light but tough bamboo frame. To prevent the possibility of a sudden capsize a steel outrigger having i little wheel on the end |s pl ways carried. When not in use’ iteadyg'wti’ Up with the sail in ave y small package. This little outrigger enables the land sailor to take solid comf. rt. a, it sustains the

balance on the lee side, no matter how, stiff the breeze may be. The comforts of the riders and their protection against the inclemency of the weather have also been looked after more than ever. One manufacturer proposes to provide fans connected with the running gear, which will in no way impede the speed but cool the brow of the rider, wearily pumping away on a dusty road under a scorching sun. The same man has also in contemplation a contrivance somewhat in the shape of a buggy top, which will serve as a protection during thunder or other showers. Both these inventions will, when they materialize, be hailed with delight by all wheelmen, who now are at the mercy of all kinds of rough weather. Taking everything into considera-

tion the lovers of this delightful sport may look forward to a season which will be pregnant with{a number of newfangled ideas, both in the shape oi

novel attachments as well as entire machines. The great aim of makers of wheels is to combine comfort and durability in their productions. At one time there was a rather pronounced prejudice against women using the bicycle, but that has long since given way to a most enthusiastic approval’of its use among the fairer sex. Fashion, which decrees most everything in the feminine world, has no doubt had considerable to do with making the wheel popular with women. There is a constantly growing demand for “machines" among ladies and young girls and from men who take to the wheel merely for its healthful exercise. Tricycles are at a decided disadvantage nowadays and are rated very much passe. Even the little so ks look upon these antiquated affairs with contempt, and almost rather go without riding if thes cannot have a safety. It is surprising to see the number of tots, particularly little girls, who are expert riders. They seem to be a great deal quicker in learning how to ride than the boys of the same age, and handle their diminutive machines with all the assurance of veterans.

PROPELLED BY HANDS AND FEET.

SUGGESTION FOR LONG-DISTANCE RIDING.

A TRAINING MACHINE.

THE QUADRYPLET.

FOR RAINY DAYS

IDEAL FAMILY BICYCLE.

THE ICE BICYCLE.

THE NEW MILKING MAID.

ROOM VELOCIPEDE OR HOME TRAINER.