CYCLING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue XX, 14 November 1896, Page 45

CYCLING.

THE RUBBER TIRE. VERY few people know much about the article which enters to such a great extent into the composition of the pneumatic tire, says American Cycling. All the rubber used in bicycle tires comes from South America. The United States imports yearly /■20,000,000 worth of raw rubber from the south half of the Western Continent. It comes to this country free as a raw material, but the Republic of Brazil exacts a duty of 21 per cent, or more than one-fifth of its value. It is an established fact that can easily be proved that the export duties on rubber and coffee alone support the Republic of Brazil. It would be impossible to estimate on the raw rubber output of Brazil for the present year, but in view of the wonderful demand for that article by tire manufacturers alone it must considerably overlap the /"20,000,000 worth which was used in this country for the year 1895. As this country has in years past used more than threefourths of this product of Brazil, it can readily be understood how much the United States have benefited Brazil and how much more they are benefiting the South American republic by the increasing demand owing to the bicycle industry. It is estimated by those who are best able to judge that there will be /'6,000,000 invested in bicycle tires in 1896. The remainder of the yearly import is used in various lines, such as rubber used for insulation and countless other purposes. The amount used annually in the manufacture of rubber hose for air brakes is of itself almost fabulous. CYCLING AND INSANITY. As if its present fields of conquest were not sufficient, we are now introduced to the bicycle as a panacea for insanity and various forms of mental derangement. Very recently a supply of wheels—sprocket wheels and the like, I mean—have been purchased for an asylum for insane criminals in the United States, and the use of the wheel is contemplated in several similar institutions. The following remarks by an eminent physician show how the wheel is regarded as a real value by insane experts of standing : — * I don’t know that it is a very good thing to exploit in the newspapers, for if you print such a story the bicycling public will promptly be filled with apprehension at the prospect of encountering on the road a gentleman with wheels in his head as well as under his feet. But there are absolutely nogrounds whatever for any such uneasiness: for while it is true that the bicycle is generally prescribed by specialists in insanity nowadays, yet you may rest assured that no physician would allow a patient to go abroad in the least degree dangerous or likely to give the slightest trouble to his fellow travellers on the road.

* The bicycle as an adjunct to the cure of mental disease has been steadily coming into favour in the last four

or five years. I don’t know to whom is due the credit of suggesting it first; I doubt that there really was any particular first case. When physicians began to find what a wonderful help the bicycle is in toning up the system, they began to prescribe it for nervous diseases especially, and for cases where patients were worried or greatly depressed or given to melancholia, and needed something to divert their minds, and, so to speak, ■' cheer them up.” ‘One of the most interesting examples of a bicycle cure which have come under my observation was that of a young lawyer and politician who was given to periodical mania. About once in a month or so he would become insane, and continue in this condition for a week or so, the spell then passing off. This continued for five or six years, or more. Within this period the young man had been under the care of some of the ablest men in the profession, none of whom had been able to do him the slightest good. Part of the time he was confined in an asylum, and part was in charge of a keeper at his home. Finally his physician suggested that he try a “ bike.” He did so, and I believe from the first month that he had his wheel he has never had a recurrence of his attack. ‘ This, of course, is an exceptional case, and I don’t wish to be put in the light of saying that the bicycle is going to rapidly empty our asylums and reduce our insane population. I say unhesitatingly that I regard the wheel as the greatest boon in the way of health to the human race that has ever been devised.’ It would not seem possible that the construction of the modern bicycle could be changed so as to make any material difference in reducing the weight of the machine. In fact, many experienced mechanics have said that the limit of weight in the present wheel has been reached and that it cannot be made lighter without making it weaker. A Western inventor, however, has constructed

THE LATEST BICYCLE.

a bicycle of a most ingenious design, which weighs nearly ylbs less than the lightest wheel now manufactured, besides combining strength and durability with simplicity. This he has accomplished by a simple change in the construction ofthe frame. Hesupports both saddleand handle bar on a single standard, and, therefore, he has no use for the three additional standardsand braces necessary in the frame of the present wheel. In the language of the inventor, his new bicycle consists of a single standard, or upright, inclined forward and supporting a seat, which projects vertically upward therefrom. A steering rod is supported within the standard, and projects backward beyond the seat support and beneath the rear of the seat. The handles secured to the steering rod extend entirely below the seat and terminate in front of it. The front or steering wheel is half the size of the rear wheel. By this change in construction the cost of manufacture is lessened considerably, as not so much material is needed. This new frame describes a single triangle only, supporting the entire wheel, and thus doing away with additional bars and braces. The wheel is propelled in the usual manner, the only difference being that the handle bars are nearer to the rider and have their front ends extending from him instead of towards him. A Western firm has made a contract to manufacture several thousand of these wheels. New lady cyclists are to be seen daily in Napier, among them being Mesdames Dixon, Von Dadelzen, Earp, Leask, Misses Page, Brown, Vennell, Kayl, etc., etc. Napier is, however, too hilly for cycling to become universal. In France bicycles are taxed at the rate of about 9s per year. The tax yields about /’So,OOO per annum. In Naples the tax is ten francs on each cycle used for pleasure; and five francs for business purposes. In Moscow there are nearly 5,000 wheelmen, but only about half have permission to ride within the city limits.

Our London correspondent says:—‘Mr C. 11. Jones, of Christchurch, the amateur champion bicyclist, arrived in London on Saturday week last by the "Rimutaka,” together with a few dozen medals of gold, silver, and bronze to bear witness of his prowess awheel. He tells me he has come home primarily to take part in the English championships next year. He has not yet made the acquaintance of any of our tracks, but intends, if possible, to do a little racing during this back end in order to familiarise himself with the methods and racing tactics of our wheelers. He also intends to do a little touring round England in order to see something of the Old Country, and to visit his friends and relatives in the

provinces. For the time being he is residing at 55, Windsor Road, Holloway, N.’ A cyclist, Mr Ernest Way, whilst going to the Palmerston Show in company with several others, had a very narrow escape from being killed. Going down Mount Stewart he missed one of the pedals of the machine ; as they were going at a fast rate, he lost control of the bicycle, and ran into a trap, with the result that he was thrown heavily on the metal road and rendered unconscious, receiving a nasty cut on his forehead and severely bruised the head. The Marlborough Cycling Club had their first meet and run last Wednesday. They assembled in Market Place, and after waiting for a short time for Dr. and Mrs Cleghorn, made a start for Tua Marina. The procession was headed by four ladies—Mrs F. Shaw (wife of the captain of the Club), and the Misses Edith Ball, Gordon, and Cecil Johnston. When they returned to town about five o’clock their numbers were largely augmented by those whose duties had prevented their joining at the start, and they proceeded at once to Dr. Cleghorn’s residence, where afternoon tea and cakes and other refreshments awaited them. The Doctor, who is the President of the Club, had been unable, owing to professional duties, to attend the run. Of course Nelson has got the bicycle craze (writes my correspondent). We shall all be on wheels soon. Amongst the many lady riders I noticed Mrs Percy Adams, in a smart suit of navy serge, with white straw sailor hat trimmed with navy ribbon band ; the Misses Fell are also wearing pretty costumes of navy serge made with Norfolk jackets, hats to match. The New Plymouth Cycling Club opened their season on November sth, when some thirty riders, including several ladies, had a run to Waitara and back. The lady cyclists of Auckland had an enjoyable run out to Mount Albert last Thursday. Some of them manage their wheels uncommonly well.