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In the Cycling World

run to the Country Club will start at noon to-day. The Michaux is heartily in favor of The Tribune's excellent suggestion for the transformation of the old aqueduet into a bleycle road, and will aid the project in every way in its power. NOTES AND COMMENTS. Cyclists destring to join the League of American Wheelmen may obtain full printed information and blanks by sending name and address to the Cycling Editor, New-York Tribune. The bleyele track at Manhattan Beach is well under way, pians having been prepared and approved, and work will begin• within a short time. It is hoped the track will be ready for use on May 15. A meeting of newspaper writers will be held at the Everett House on Tuesday night to form a eyeling club similar to the Press Club of Boston. The Cycle Club of Brooklyn will give up its quarters in the Clermont Avenue Rink after the warm weather sets in, as the members prefer outdoor work. Chief Consul Isaae B. Potter, of this State, is New-York lead the L. A. W ambitious to have He has brought his disin point of membership. and he now proposes to trict up to second place, overtake Massachusetts, the leader. Zimmerman's proposition to meet both Houben, the foreign champion, and Joinson in one afternoon savors of the prize-ring tacties when one pugilist offers to knock out two blow "plug that ugly" rivals one night. The winds do not way. in cycle club in this neighborhood has Nearly every road run to-day, and in case the arranged for a weather is fine the suburban roads will be black with wheelmen this afternoon. Spalding's idea of practically Madison Square taking Garden possession for of at least a part of indefinite period has caused some discussion. an The roof garden will be opened as a cycle school to-morrow, and when the roof garden season opens Spaiding will take possession of the amphitheatre. BICYCLE PATH INDORSED. AX IDEA WHICH SHOULD BE SUPPORTED. It should not be permitted to smoulder. OF DEEP INTEREST TO From The Wheel. Generally speaking, "The Wheel" does not believe in the establishment of cycle paths. We believe that the expense and energy which they necessarily entail can be expended with better and more lasting and widespread results on the improvements of the public highways. But we must express our adapproval and support of The New-York miration, Tribune's plan to convert the old aqueduet from New-York City to Croton-thirty odd miles- a special path for wheelmen. It is a splendid idea, which should meet with hearty support. The path 1t already practically exists. For many years past been used by wheelmen anxious to escape the has hills or mud on the main road, but this use has been limited, owing to the numerous fences or cattle guards which intersect the path every few hundred yards. Tear down these fences, and for all practical purposes a cycle path is available for general use. The surface will, of course. be the better for improvement, but this is an after consideration. The Tribune has hit upon a happy idea. From The Providence Journal. A project for a fine new track for bicyele riders in the vicinity of Xew-York, which is owed to a suggestion in Sunday's issue of The Tribune of that city, is of sufliciently general interest to attract the attention of wheelmen from points somewhat distant from the metropolis. It is proposed that the old aqueduct leading northward from NewYork to the Croton River, some forty miles away, be utilized as a road for the exclusive use of bieyele riders. It is an almost perfectly level stretch. having a grade of only twelve inches to the mile. and, while not suitable for heavy vehicles, presente an ideal surface, it is said, for the pneumatie-tired wheel. It could be put in condition for an insignificant amount of money, and be-ready for use by the first of June at the latest. In this way the riders of the metropolis Indeed, the wheelmen of the country at large--could be supplied with a fine speedway, winding for forty miles along the banks of the Hudson, through a most pieturesque region, at infinitesimal cost. The project is an attractive one to riders here 1n as well as to those in New-York, for very many of them go in the course of the season to that city and explore the surrounding territory on their wheels. A twelve or fifteen foot boulevard of this character would be regarded as a route to be included in the itinerary of every bieyele enthuslast. A NOTABLE ENTERPRISE. From The Norwich Morning Bulletin. The movement started in New-York to make the crest of the old Croton Aqueduet, which extends from Harlem to the Croton Lake, a distance of forty miles, a wheelway for bicycles is one of the most notable enterprises of the kind yet projected The top of the aqueduct is twelve feet wide and needs only slight repairs to be a most inviting and enjoyable bicycle track. Deseribing the road and the region it runs through, The New- York Tribune says: "And then what a road the wheelmen of New-York will have! Brooklyn's Parkway path, fine as it ts, will be nowhere. That is five miles tonga straightaway, through a pleasant but level and by no means picturesque country But this is forty miles, winding about amid the hills and dales of one of the loveliest regions the sun shines on. THE WHEELMEN NEED IT. From The American Wheelman. among the Westchester County hills. A SUGGESTION MADE. From The Tuckahoe Bulletin. The wheelmen of New-York City need a cyclists' roadway. it seems that the hayseed lecislators who make the laws in Albapy are determined 1101 to allow the wheelmen any rights whatever, and it has at last reached that period when the wheelmen must take up the eudgel in their own behalf and build their own roads. The New-York Tribune has discovered a stretch that would make an admirable roadway for wheelmen. and, strange to say. the cost for the whole length, walch is more than forty miles, would be but amount compared to that in Brooklyn. Briefly stated, the plan is to convert the crest of the old Croton Aqueduet into a publie bicyele road. The old aqueduct extends from the reservoir in Central Park to the lower end of Croton Lake, away up "The Bulletin" applauds The New-York Tribune's suggestion to make a bieyele road of the old aque. duct line, and suggests that the new pipe line en its side of the county can be also used for the same purpose to the extent of at least twenty miles, THE PRINTERS APPROVE THE PLAN. From The Union Printer and American Craftsman. The Tribune is strongly advocating the use of the Croton Aqueduct for a bicycle path. The route is through a very picturesque country, and is forty miles long. with a gradient of but thirteen inches to the mile. At a slight expense, and with the consent of the local authorities and the Legislature --and the officials look with decided favor on the scheme--the wheelmen of New-York and vieinity will have a bievele path the equal of which does not exist on either continent. The Tribune is re. ceivine hearty support from all who are interested in wheeling. BISHOP NEWMAN AGAINST CLATT. VIEWS ON THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN NEW HIS YORK-RELIGIOUS QUESTIONS OF INTEREST John P. Newman, of the Methodist EpisBishop at the Murray Hill Hotel. Bishop copal Church, Newman's headquarters are in Omaha, Neb., but he spends a great deal of time in the Fast. He returned from Tyrone. Penn. Where he has just held a conference. In speaking of church work West, Bishop Newman said: in the "The West is just reviving from general and wide. suffering. The loss of crops last year and epread have caused much destitution. Neythe hard winter the people are recovering siowly, but ertheless, surely. They have had snow and rain and the outlook for the year promises an abundant harvest. The work of the Church is going on triumphantly. In the districts where there were great drouths last year large revival meetings have been held. New churches are being built, and many persons are migrating to these Western States." Bishop Newman is much interested in the political conditions that exist in New-York State now. He said: "The government of this State Is supposed to be by the people, and their will shall be paramount In all questions. How a single man or a few men can have the hardhood to defy the populace I do not understand. The last election was more than a against municipal and State corruption; it was cry a protest against bossism. One boss was dethroned, but it, seems that another has arisen out of the defeat. Some one has said: "When the people complain, the people are always right.' Any man, or combination of men, who block iegislation at Alwhether they are satellites of Mr. Platt or bany, will find themselves marked men. If they go not, the people, the people will rise and crush against them. There can only be one and that is a recognition of publie demand." "In National polities, sald Bishop Newman, "there Is nothing to say. The peopie of this country are walting and praying for an end of this Administration. No comment is needed upon the evils that it has generated. The evidence is too patent on every side. All we can do is to wait and pray that nothing worse befalls us than has already happened." "In Church work," said Bishop Newman, "there are many questions just now that are of interest. One thing that I would like to see would be a untformity of Church service. I hope some day to see all Churches have one simple and uniform service.' "Another question which I see has been agitating the Churches lately is the advisability of adopting the communion cup. I belleve that is a individual matter of fancy. The whole idea is contained in the contents of the cup, the consecrated blood of Jesus Christ. If it's one cup or a hundred I do not think that it matters. Let the people choose for themseives. I believe that the question will be called up in our general conference some day and disposed of. Until then it's a matter of each Church to decide for itsell." CYCLING WORLD. IN THE - FAIRLY OPEN NOW. THE SEASON IS - LONG RUNS TO-DAYCLUES WILL MAKE MANY TRIBUNE'S SUGGESTION COMMENTS ON THE PATH ON THE OLD AQUEDUCTFOR A TO CONEY ISLAND. WHEELING spring has been scheduled all advent of weather, such as all voWhile the arrival of warm right, the enjoy, has not yet gladdened taries populace. The followers of sport of outdoor sport the hearts interested just now in atmospheric of the of all kinds local baseball season is scheduled are conditions. The week, and the athletes who will comto begin this international contests are more pete in the path and field, and the coming than condition for the coming of anxious to get upon work themseives into their English rivals. the last two weeks has Every pleasant day of expectant wheelmen with avidity been grasped by throughout New-York, Brooklyn, and the roads and their suburbs have been crowded Jersey City The condition of the whenever the sun shone. generally speaking, is abominabie, roads, however, disgrace to the Greater New-York. and they are a of American Wheelmen has done good The League the effort looking toward better roads, and work in good roads associations are slowthe various local ly but surely helping along the cause. merchant whose hours of leisure A downtown conceived the idea of riding to and from are few He lives in Hartem. He his place of business. abandoned the project. He tried it once and then it until he reached Hudsonhad an easy time of his journey was a succession st. From there down paved streets. The of bumps over the wretchedly was even worse. journey did not work well," said back in the afternoon "I guess my cyclometer his experience the other day. "I he, when telling of it getting to my office, but the had a hard time in getting back was simply horrible. My experience cyclometer registered four miles on the down trip and it measured eleven miles on return the trip. Of course the cyciometer was out of gear, still i unconsciously been riding all over the might have on return trying to find at least one block city my where the street was decently paved. Our city deal of money on streets, and 1 for spends a great one would like to know where all that money has gone to for the last few years." EVERYBODY INDORSES IT. H. S. Fuller, the Editor of "School," who lives at Fordham Heights, is one of the most enthusiastic supporters of a cycle path on the old aqueduet, as suggested by The Tribune last Sunday. No cycling has met with such instant inidea in recent years dorsement and general recognition and approbation. "The plan to turn the old line of the aqueduct into a bicycle path is meeting with approval through Annexed District," said Mr. Fuller. "At the the time the stretch of three or four miles from present High Bridge to Van Courtlandt is only used by pedestrians. It is one of the beautiful walks in the during the spring and fall. The embankment city has become a kind of parkway such as in Western citles they make of the levees along the rivers. The only valid objection to the bicycle path can from the pedestrians, by whom it is used come in the city. But the embankment is from solely fifteen feet wide, so that there will be twelve to ample room for the wheels and for the pedestrians against each other. When it is without rubbing understood that their rights are not to be infringed will probably be as much interon the pedestrians ested as the wheelmen. the city limits there are a few obstacles to "In that can easily be removed. At St. Jamesthe path of Jerome Park, there is an old toolhouse st., south aqueduct, which the adjoining residents have on the wished to have removed. It is of no use there. long and could be removed in a few days. The old turnstiles were removed from the aqueduct a year ago within city limits, and replaced with gates. The surface of the aqueduct is now quite as good for most of the paths along the Ocean Parkriding as way, in Brooklyn, though there are some steep emmwhere young riders might take a bankments, eader and shoot off thirty feet into air. "These places can eastly be fenced in. Up at Yonkers and through the country beyond I have found when riding that some of the farmers use the surface of the aqueduct, but that land belongs to the city. I should think that a satisfactory arrangement could be made with any of these tenants to permit the bicycle path to run through their grounds. It need not do more injury than a simple cow pathway. With a month's vigorous effort, it seems to me, the wheelmen of this city could have ready the best, longest and most attractive bicycie path in the country." THE BROOKLYN PATH. With fine weather to-day, the wheelmen will flock to the cycle path in Brooklyn in tremendous numbers. Unless rain falls to-day, the path ought to be in fairly good condition most of the way from Prospect Park to Coney Island. The best part of the path at present is from Parkville to Kings Highway, and with the exception of a space 200 yards long, near the creek, the whole course ought to be ridable in almost any kind of weather. This space near the creek has not been finished yet, but it should be as soon as possible. Some of the wheemen are dissatisfied with the manner in which the work on the path has been carried out, and they may ask for the immediate completion of the path aceording to contract. The original contract stipulated that the path shall be level, and the only objections to be found on this score are the occasional breaks which occur where the roadways cross the path. At these points the path drops several inches, and there seems to be no reason why these crossings should not be raised to the level of the cycle path. Such a move would be appreciated by wheelmen, particularly during rainy weather. Another suggestion which would cost only a few dolars, a bucket of paint and a little elbow grease to carry out would be a boon to cyclists. The present mile-posts which line the Boulevard all face the old roadway, showing a blank side to the cycle path. The numbers could be painted on the side facing the cycle path, and as soon as the idea is presented to Park Commissioner Squier he will probably adopt it. it does not seem to be timely just now to agitate a return path from Coney Istand. Of course, the present path will be overcrowded, but it will be a better idea to have it finisned first, and then to agitate for a return path. THE ANNUAL MEET. Wheelmen are looking forward to the annual meet this year with considerably more interest than usual. This refers particularly to the Metropolitan District. Down at Asbury Park John D. Beegle, of the Asbury Park Wheelmen, is working hard making all the arrangements for the meet, and the efficient corps of assistants whom he has appointed will insure a splendid meet and excellent accommodations for all visiting wheelmen. At a recent meeting of the local Executive Committee It was decided to raise a fund of $10,000 for the proper reception and entertainment of the visiting cyclists, and the Finance Committee already report they have met with excelent progress in raising this amount. The General Committee is as follows: Robert Gentle chairman, Elizabeth: Consul Herbert W. New-Jersey Knight, DiNewark; James S. Holmes, Orange; Frederick Keer, Newark; Dr. C. B. Holmes, Rahway; J. W. Dickinson, Times Building, New-York J. C Tattersall, Trenton; R. R. Chiswell, Faterson; C R. Zacharias, John D. Beegle, A. C. Atkins, W. H. Beegle, A. R. Parsons, A. Twining, A. S. Burton, W. J. L. Cliver, C. H. Trafford, H. B. Ayres, N. Penfield, S. A. Patterson, Asbury Park. Dr. A. S. Burton is chairman of the Finance Committee; C. R. Zacharias, of the Press and Advertising Committee; A. R. Parsons, of the Transportation Committee; A. C. Twining. of the of the Entertainment Reception and Committee; Relief Charles H. Trafford, the Committee; N. W. Penfield, of Parade Committee: H. B. Ayres, of the Hotel Committee; A. C. Atkins, of the Prize Committee; W. H. Beegle, of the Roll Committee, and Joreph L. Oliver, of the Information Committee. ABOUT THE MICHAUX CLUB. The first runs of the Michaux Club last Saturday and Sunday, that for men and women to Claremont on Saturday, and for men only to Coney Island on Sunday, were successful. Some fifteen men took the run to Coney Island and return and did the it in clubhouse remarkably good time, the distance from and return being thirty miles. The reports members to found the einder path, notwithstanding for about a mile contrary, beyond in fair condition, except the good the rest of the way, and not eut Park, up but at all really by Prospect dition. vehieles. To-day it ought to be in first-class conThe Michaux run and Hackensack, and yesterday to-dav it was will to be for Englewood men only to the Country Club at West Chester. The yesterday started at 12:30, via the ferry to Fort run Lee, turning thence via to train and Englewood and Twenty-third-st. Hackensack, referry. The

Article from 31 Mar 1895New-York Tribune(New York, NY)

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