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 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 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.
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.
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.
Comments
Post a Comment