CYCLING IN AMERICA.

Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6627, 18 December 1886, Page 3

CYCLING IN AMERICA.

[fbom oub cobbkspondhkt.] I went for a ride with some of the members of the Citizens 8.C., a few weeks ago. The course chosen waa Central and Riverside Parks t) Highbridge. Leaving the Club room we walked to the gate ot Central Park, opposite Broadway, and mounting here rode half a mile to the gate at 72nd street. It is necessary to have a badge, entitling you to ride through the Park, or you run a good chance of being stopped and summoned by the '* coppers.:' of the members kindly borrowed a badge for mc, so I got through all right. The badge is like silver dollar with a couple of wings projecting oa either side. Ingenious cyclists have passed through by fastening a dollar to their coats and sticking a piece of tinfoil on for the winga. The Americans are proud of their national bird, and when they cannot get the whole eagle in they do the best they can with the winge. After leaving Central Park we rode along a very rough piece of road till we reached Riverside Park. The road here, as in Central Park is just perfect. Central Park is flit, but the hills in Riverside Park are just stiff enough for you to ride up with pleasure, and they break the monotony. The road is on a hill with the Hudson river running below; opposite is Harlem, and farther down the river is Jersey City. About a rcile after entering the park we came to Grant's temporary tomb. It is simply a brick arch, with bars in front. The comer of the coffin can jußt be seen ttrough the ferns with which the place is filled. There is a military guard to see that no one steals these ferns. We were told that Mrs Grant had visited the tomb the day previous. They are going to erect a splendid tomb, to cost 2,000 > 000d015., but KB yet they have only collected half that sum. The completion of the tomb is looked upon in the rame light that the people of Christchurch regarded the completion of the Cathedral some ten years ago. Close to here is a large restaurant, standing by itself on the top of a hill. Here we found over a hundred cyclists smoking cigarettes and chatting abont. Leaving here, we turned to the right and left the park. After a mile and a half of bad roads, we came to the cable car road, and riding along this between the railß we came to Hischbtidge. Here we diamounted, and eat down under the chestnut trees to rest. Just below us was the Harlem River, spanned by a huge bridge, from which the place takes its name. Under this bridge is an aqueduct through which the water the city is supplied with is sent. After resting there a while we again resumed the pig skin, and returned the way we came. The road through the park is good, but the other roads are infernal. Cyclißte are only allowed the use of this short stretch of half a mile in Central Park, bnt they are trying to get the whole park thrown open to them. Since writing you by last mail, the twenty-four hours' record has twice been beaten. A few days ago, Mr Curdy, of Boston, rode 305 in the time, beating the previous record made a fortnight before by five miles. Rawe has now made a clean sweep of all the records. He holds the mile- for 2.29 4 Sths, the twenty miles for 5946, and he rode twenty-two miles 160 yards m the hour. Both be and Headee are pros now, as Shey had Woodsial and Crocker as pace--1 makers. Both Bowe and Hendee talk of getting mam.d aad quitting the track.