Bay City Wheelmen's picnic run to Lake Honda, April 13, 1890, San Francisco

This photo made me curious:

It's here; Western Neighborhoods Project - /baycitywheelmen_lagunahonda_1890_chs

I found the story behind it. These editions of THE WHEEL (San Francisco Call) and The Wheelmen (San Francisco Chronicle) are in chronological order. Some interesting bits in here; the safety (our modern bicycle) is gaining acceptance and popularity as the ordinary (we call it a penny farthing) begins to fade. The ordinary riders called the safeties "goats," that's new to me. 'Jo-Jo, the dog-faced man, rides a safety.' I'm always happy to see any mention of women on bikes in these old articles. And J. J. Bliss retiring; a big deal. And the picnic looks, and sounds like it was a lot of fun.

The Bay City Wheelmen are greatly pleased over the prospect of at last having a Sunday when the weather will permit them to have a run. They hold their annual picnic to-day at Lake Honda and expect a very large attendance, both of members and visitors from other clubs. The Oakland club will have a majority of its riders present, and at least a half dozen of the Vineyard Valley cyclists will participate. Captain Richardson has made excellent arrangements for the comfort of those going on the picnic, and the Committee on Refreshments is confident that its report in the shape of "grub" will be amply appreciated.

THE WHEEL. Picnic Run of the Bay Citys - Oakland's Lady Riders Sun, Apr 13, 1890 – Page 3 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

The Bay City Wheelmen's picnic run to Lake Honda last Sunday was a great success. There were about seventy riders, an unusually large attendance. The roads were in good shape, and as the pace was not too hot for the newer men, every one enjoyed the ride and afterward the splendid lunch that had been prepared. Cyclists were present from Oakland, Stockton and San Jose.

THE WHEEL. Bay City Wheelmen's picnic run to Lake Honda Sun, Apr 20, 1890 – Page 3 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

The opening run of the Bay City Wheelmen was a grand success, over seventy wheelmen participating. The line was formed at Van Ness avenue and Market Street at 10 o'clock, with Captain T. E. Richardson in command, accompanied by Captain G. F. Drake of the Oakland Bicycle Club of 1887, with the latter club in the place of honor,

Lieutenant L. G. Hodgkins and J. Holroyd assisted the captain in keeping a perfect line. The column wheeled out Golden Gate avenue, through the park, to the Cliff, where a short halt was called, after which the ride to Lake Honda was enjoyed. Here the Bay City Wheelmen commissary, consisting of Messrs. Sperry, Cook and Butler, awaited them with a most refreshing repast, to which full justice was done. The afternoon was spent in various ways, some riding in the park, others wheeling to Lake Merced and many enjoying the music of the park band.

The Wheelmen. Lake Honda picnic Mon, Apr 21, 1890 – Page 5 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

More below: 

THE WHEEL. Picnic Run of the Bay Citys - Oakland's Lady Riders Sun, Apr 13, 1890 – Page 3 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

THE WHEEL.

Picnic Run of the Bay Citys - Oakland's Lady Riders. 

The Bay City Wheelmen are greatly pleased over the prospect of at last having a Sunday when the weather will permit them to have a run. They hold their annual picnic to-day at Lake Honda and expect a very large attendance, both of members and visitors from other clubs. The Oakland club will have a majority of its riders present, and at least a half dozen of the Vineyard Valley cyclists will participate. Captain Richardson has made excellent arrangements for the comfort of those going on the picnic, and the Committee on Refreshments is confident that its report in the shape of "grub" will be amply appreciated.

Chief Consul Thompson will shortly issue the most comprehensive road book that has ever appeared on this Coast. Besides a full list of league officials, hotels, plans of runs, etc., the work will contain several maps and an article on touring by ex-Captain Meeker of the Bay City Wheelmen, which is expected to be very interesting and valuable. Mr. Thompson says the book will not be delayed longer than the 1st of May.

[Wish I could read this book. Here's a record for it: League of American Wheelmen., & Thompson, R. M. (1890). Hand book of California Division, L.A.W., 1890. San Francisco? CA: League., and an article describing it, upon publication. - MF]

J. J. Bliss, who at one time was recognized as the most extensive tourist on the wheel in California, has retired from active riding. He is devoting all his spare time to the improvement of his ranch.

The friends of W. P. Lawlor of the Olympic Club despair of his becoming a good long-distance man, as they expected. They say he has plenty or wind, but lacks "sand."

The week has been a charming one as far as bicycle racing is concerned and the roads both in this city and the interior are now in pretty good shape. A great deal of park riding has been done and a large number of wheelmen contemplate short excursions into the country to day.

The number of lady riders in Oakland is increasing. A. A. Bouton has a number of pupils whom he is instructing on ladies' safeties.

H. A. Matthews, much to the regret of his fellow riders, will not this season resume active riding, as he intended. He finds that his business will occupy too much of his time.

In case the threatened expulsion of one of the members of the San Francisco Club is accomplished, there is a likelihood of several resignations being handed in. On the other hand, if the obstreperous member is not ostracised a number will surely withdraw. In either case the club is certain to lose several riders.

Walter A. Scott, the long-distance champion, will, after the games on Memorial day, put in his spare time riding on his safety.

Thomas Cobden, the Superintendent of one of the bicycle agencies, rides to and from his place of business on his safety every day. This practice is becoming more general among wheelmen, especially those living in Oakland.

A moonlight run to San Jose is being arranged for by the Oakland wheelmen.

Frederick Clift of Oakland has been appointed a member of the District Racing Board.

W. Dalton Smith estimates that there are half a million cyclists in England, and gives as his authority the "Badminton Library" cycling volume. "In it," says Mr. Smith, "Lord Bury says that in 1865 he made inquiries through the Consuls of the C. T. C., with the result that be was led to the conclusion that they numbered 500,000." The increase of makers and the large sales of cycles since then, he claims, indicate an increase of at least 100,000 riders.

The first bicycle-race of the season will be held at San Jose on Wednesday, April 23d. The distance will probably be a one or five mile handicap. The Garden City wheelmen should be able to provide sufficient entries alone to make the race interesting.

THE WHEEL. Bay City Wheelmen's picnic run to Lake Honda Sun, Apr 20, 1890 – Page 3 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

THE WHEEL.

Brewster's Resignation From the San Francisco Club. 

Henry Schuler, Edward Lee and J. J. Vidy started to make the trip to San Jose from the corner of Haight and Stanyan streets last Tuesday morning at 5 o'clock. After passing Belmont Lee was compelled to return. Schuler kept on, however, with Vidy, who joined at Belmont, and reached the starting point at 6:30 o'clock in the evening, making the round trip in thirteen hours and five minutes. Vidy met with a slight accident after leaving San Jose. He attempted to run through a band of sheep, which was being driven along the road. The bellwether butted him of his machine, but he escaped without serious damage. The same party contemplates another trip next month as far as Santa Cruz.

The Bay City Wheelmen's picnic run to Lake Honda last Sunday was a great success. There were about seventy riders, an unusually large attendance. The roads were in good shape, and as the pace was not too hot for the newer men, every one enjoyed the ride and afterward the splendid lunch that had been prepared. Cyclists were present from Oakland, Stockton and San Jose.

Every wheelman in the city who knows Captain Frank Manning of the San Francisco club, will be sorry for the affliction that befell him on Friday in the loss of his father, who was killed at his home in Sonoma County. Frank left yesterday to be present at the funeral. His absence from the city is indefinite and the riders of the San Francisco club will miss him.

Among the seven members of the Vineyard Valley Cyclists of Napa, only one rides an ordinary. The others are all mounted on "goats."

Tom Cobden says Jo-Jo, the dog-faced man, rides a safety, and that he is going to pilot him around the park this morning.

Among the half-hundred cyclists who, under the leadership of Chief Consul Elwell of Portland, Maine, will start on a tour of Europe next June, only one will be from the Pacific Coast. That one will be Bert F. Lucas of Monmouth, Oregon.

At the recent meeting of the San Francisco Club, the resignation of C. Union Brewster, which had been laid over at the previous meeting, was accepted.

Von Schmidt of the Palm Leaf Wheelmen of Fresno and two companions arrived in this city last night, after making this trip all the way through the San Joaquin Valley on wheels. They had rather a hard time of it during the last part of the present week, but the trip as a whole was a pleasant one. The three gentlemen are making a tour of the State awheel, and after a rest of a day or two in this city will again start out.

The Wheelmen. Lake Honda picnic Mon, Apr 21, 1890 – Page 5 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

The Wheelmen. 

[Official Organ of the L. A. W.]

The opening run of the Bay City Wheelmen was a grand success, over seventy wheelmen participating. The line was formed at Van Ness avenue and Market Street at 10 o'clock, with Captain T. E. Richardson in command, accompanied by Captain G. F. Drake of the Oakland Bicycle Club of 1887, with the latter club in the place of honor.

Lieutenant L. G. Hodgkins and J. Holroyd assisted the captain in keeping a perfect line. The column wheeled out Golden Gate avenue, through the park, to the Cliff, where a short halt was called, after which the ride to Lake Honda was enjoyed. Here the Bay City Wheelmen commissary, consisting of Messrs. Sperry, Cook and Butler, awaited them with a most refreshing repast, to which full justice was done. The afternoon was spent in various ways, some riding in the park, others wheeling to Lake Merced and many enjoying the music of the park band.

Among those present were: George F. Drake, Harrold J. Gage, A. A. Bouton, L. White, J. F. Revolk, S. K. Irish, G. Iveson; A. C. Lassen, Dr. Cross of Stockton, George Gilson, Dr. Van Norden, S. Small, Charles Bassert, M. Ives, George A. Merrill, A. F. Nye, E. C. Prindle, G. S. Clark, H. E. Albrecht; G. Keil, W. H. R. Brown, R. R. Cook, W. M. Meeker, C. W. Hammer, C. N. Langton, C. A. Howard, R. M. Thompson, George P. Wetmore, R. A. Smyth, Charles Enler, T. V. W. Varney, F. W. Ray, W. E. Thompson, Allan Marshall, Leonard. G. Rowell, E. W. Adams, J. Holroyd, C. Hyde, H. W. Spalding, F. W. Leadbetter, E. C. Landis, Thomas Stevenson, J. Stevens Sperry, L. G. Hodgkins, P. A. Libbey, S. Plummer, F. E. Richardson, Thomas H. Sloane and others.

The annual business meeting of the League of American Wheelmen was held Saturday evening in Pioneer Hall, Chief Consul R. M. Thompson presiding.

Reports were read by the chief consul, secretary, treasurer and chairman of the various standing committees, all showing a most favorable condition of affairs in the California division. The chief consul's report reviewed the work of the board of officers for the past year and showed the work outlined for the future. The secretary and treasurer's report showed a balance on hand of nearly $1100, with all debts paid. The reports of the racing board, touring board and Committee on Rights and Privileges were all favorable to the interests of the division. It was decided to hold the annual division meet and tournament in San Jose on July 4th and 5th. The chief consul appointed the following Committee of Arrangements for same: A. C. McKenney, A. C. Wagener and Al Cole of San Jose, Dr. Thomas L. Hill of San Francisco and George F. Drake of Oakland. It was the sense of the meeting to make this meet the grandest bicycle affair ever beld on the coast.

A. C. McKenna, [McKenney?] in behalf of the Golden City Wheelmen, extended a cordial invitation to all L. A. W. members to be present. It was also decided to embrace in the programme of races for that occasion two district championship races, one mile and three mile, the winners of which are to be sent East to contest in the national championship at the expense of the division.

The touring board was instructed to call a country run during the month of June, the expenses of all league members attending to be paid by the division. The date and place and full arrangements were left to the chairman, W. M. Meeker.

It looks as though the present board of officers intend to make it an object for wheelmen to join the league. The general benefits and privileges ought to be inducement enough, but personal benefits are of course more inviting.

Many plans for the advancement and benefit of the division were proposed by Dr. J. W. Gibson, Dr. Thomas L. Hill, A. C. McKenney, F. R. Cook, R. A. Smyth, Thomas H. Doane, H. Lichtenstein, George F. Drake and others.

The chief consul expressed himself as much pleased with the present outlook and bright prospects of the division, and with the general awakening of interest which seems to have taken place throughout the division.