HER MAJESTY'S CYCLING EXPERIENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2263, 15 July 1897, Page 42

HER MAJESTY'S CYCLING EXPERIENCE.

IN THE (JHOtrNDS AT 03B0ENE. The one and only cycling experience of her Majesty the Queen is thus told in the Rambler, a, penny weekly magazine devoted to outdoor life just issued by Messrs Hax-msworth :—: — That the Queen has for some years taken a, very deep interest iv the pastime of cycling is aa established fact. It is said that thiß interest was first awakened when — now nearly 16 years agj — the Queen iaw a young girl enjoying a morning spin on her cycle around the roads at Newport, in the Isle of Wight, and she was so fascinated by the unusual sight that she invited the young rider to Osborne.. Soon after this a message was despatched to Scarley Bros., who were among the pioneers of the cycle industry, aud a few days later tha FIRST CTCLE EVER HIDDEN BY BOYAI/TY found its way to the castle at Oaborne. The late Jaraes Starley, " the father of the cycle trade," web then alive, and he had the honour of delivering, in person, the first order of the Court Among other machines taken for inspection was a♦ ' sociable " tricycle, and au amusing little ine'dent connected with this occasion was that the late Duke of Albany and one of the guestß mounted this machine for a Apin, but on returning to the place where the Queen's ,goests were assembled * slight error in steering sent the machin a full tilt into a bank, upsetting the riders on the soft turf. The accident caused much laughter, and the victims were asked to repeat the performance. This, however, they were not inclined to do. During his visit to Osborne Mr Starley was oordially entertained, and was asked by the late Duke of Albany, who appeared to take a great intereit in the future of the cycle, for his opinions on various subjects connected with the sport. Before departing, this favoured manufacturer had the honour of receiving a comm»nd from her Majesty to supply ANOTHER TRICYCLE FOE HER tISE and that of the Royal household. This was the first step in the right direction. The tricycle, which was prior to that time very unpopular, now appeared in quite a different light, and the pastime of cycle riding was taken up more enthusiastically .by her Majesty's subjects. Since the Queen herself looked upon the pastime with favour nothing else could be expected, and the demand for these machines became greater and greater. OE the ladies of the royal household her Royal Highness the Duchws of Albany was perhaps the first to Btart the fashion of cycling, for in 1884 the Qusoa presented her with a valuable little tric>cle, and displayed much interest in the course of instruction, which took place in the grounds. It is stated that her Majesty, herself unable to resist the temptation, mounted 4in private, and took a turn round her beautiful domain afc Oaborne. Naturally no photograph of this most interesting occurrence was allowed to be taken. With her usual love of privacy her Majesty decided that her first essay on the fickle wheel should not be made in sight of any of her liege subjects. However, the attempt was made by her Majesty, and although she was not induced to give up her favourite pony-chaise as a means of locomotion, she declared herself very pleased with the pleasure and exhilaration to be derived from the exercite.

Each year About £10,000 is expended in sprinkling the streets of London with sand, to