Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1896 — A PATH FOR THE CYCLERS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A PATH FOR THE CYCLERS.

How tho Indianapolis Wheelway League Bnilt an 18-Mlle Hoadway. Two month* ago the Wheelway Leagueof Indianapolis was incorporated for the purpose of building a bicycle path to be open to tbe public. It was capitalized at 510,000 and the rider* of the city were asked to take stock at $5 a share. Subscriptions came in quite rapidly and work was soon begun* on the first section of the path, which occupies what was once the towpath of tbe old Indiana canal. This path had not hen used for many years, and when

work began on It it was little more than a mere levee, with a rank growth of trees and shrubs on one side and the slow running waters of the canal on the other. The canal is on the east side of the path, which gives the full benefit of the shade of the trees during the afternoon. •The path extends to a suburb ten miles distant. All of this Is so well shaded that except early in the afternoon a rider can scarcely get a glimpse of the sun after 12 o’clock. The path varies in width, conforming to the top of the levee, hut is not less than eight feet wide at any place, and in some places as much as twelve feet. The levee was first dresed off with a road scraper and then a coat of gravel, slightly mixed with earth, was weli packed with a heavy roller. On top of this was rolled a thin coating of cinders and sand mixed, making as smooth a coat as could be desired, and one that has no suction to cling to the tire. At many places along tho path rustic seats have been placed, and at one point, where there are two very fine springs, there are a number of long rustic benches and a bicycle rack that can accommodate nearly 100 wheels.

A BIT OF THE PATH.