Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 September 1898 — THE WHEEL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE WHEEL

Queer Bicycle. The queerest bicycle on record is one built by John Gilguys, a fence inspector on a station beyond Bourke, New South Wales. So unique Is it that Its fame traveled to Sydney, where It was published in the Cycling Gazette; thence to the staid and dignified columns of the Mechanical Engineer of London. Gilguys is a clever inventor, but a poor man. He lives among a wilderness of stones, scrub and sticks, amid the melancholy bleating of thousands of sheep, and his dally duty is to inspect miles of wire fencing. The ma-

chine here depicted was the outcome of bls lonely leisure and his inventive ingenuity. It will-be seen that the bicycle combines two of the very latest notions in cycling mechanics—it is chainless and unpuncturable. Though not constructed of aluminum, it Is rust proof, and at the same time the expense of enameling and nickel-plating is saved. The frame and wheels are of wood and the saddle is a soogee bag tied with a stringy bark. The stays are of twisted fence wire and the ball bearings and spindles have been superseded by bolts and nuts. The wheels are warranted not to buckle and the exertion of driving the machine one measured mile is rather less than that required in walking the same distance. Fifty-Miles-an-Hour Bike. A bicycle, warranted to run fifty miles an hour without any exertion on the part of the rider has been received in San Francisco by Charles L. Fair from Paris. The power for propulsion at this speed is supplied by a small gasoline or naphtha motor which is adjusted on the forward part of the bicycle. The tubing is about the size that was popular in the United States during the ’97 season. The main supply of gasoline is carried in the tank A. Small quantities of the fluid are.exploded in the Igniter, C, furnishing motive power for the engine B, which propels the flywheel, from which the motion is communicated by a rubber band to the driving

wheel E. An ingenious device permits the free use of the handlebars for steering purposes without risk of disturbing the connection. If the machinery should fail the bicycle may be worked by pedals in the usual way. The weight Is fifty-five pounds. Something New in Toe Clips. Bicyclists will appreciate a new toe clip, which is hinged to the side of the pedal and has extensions on the front and rear, which spring the clip into place as soon as touched by the foot, the pedal being always balanced for use either side up. Harmonious Bicycles. The latent thing “made in Germany” is a “harmonious bicycle.” This terrible invention is constructed to grind out 500 tunes. The contrivance is affixed to the handlebar, and worked by the front wheel, and will play for an hour while the cyclist is pedaling at a speed of ten miles. (

QUEEREST BICYCLE IN THE WORLD.

A NOVELTY FROM PARIS.