Bike Snob - Anonymous [3]
It was noticeable that there were few falls, and Mr. Bowman prides himself on the fact that nobody has yet had a serious accident at his academy.
The Clermont Avenue Rink is admirably adapted to cycling. Its floor surface is as large, if not larger, than that of any other academy in Greater New-York, and this fact is greatly appreciated by the members of the Cycle Club. There were many ladies riding there yesterday afternoon, and last evening there was a large attendance to witness the music ride and class drill of the younger members of the club. This afternoon there will be a tea and music ride from 3 to 6 o’clock. For next Monday evening the most elaborate programme of the Winter has been arranged. It will embrace a costume ride and entertainment for the benefit of the Home for Friendless Women and Children.
Manager William A. Webster has general charge of the affair, and, acting on the suggestions of some of the leading society cycling women of Brooklyn, has arranged a programme which will interest every member of the club and many others as well. First there will be a general ride by members in costume, and for originality in dress prizes will be awarded as follows:
First Prize
To the wittiest.
Second Prize
To the prettiest.
Third Prize
To the one we love best.
Mrs. George E. Fahys, Mrs. James M. Fuller, and Mrs. William C. Wallace will be the judges.
Following this novel contest will come some fancy and trick riding by Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Kilpatrick. He is the one-legged rider who performs astonishing feats on the cycle. Mrs. Kilpatrick is a most graceful rider, and her exhibition is said to be very interesting.
A brownie drill, by club members, comes next on the programme, and then the Bosco brothers of Italy will do their monkey and bear trick act.
The patronesses of the entertainment are Mrs. Alfred C. Barnes, Mrs. Tunis G. Bergen, Mrs. Flamen B. Candler, Mrs. George W. Chauncey, Mrs. Carll H. De Silver, Mrs. George E. Fahys, Mrs. E. H. Dickerson, Mrs. John Gibb, Mrs. Francis E. Dodge, Mrs. James L. Morgan, Jr., Mrs. Carroll J. Post, Mrs.William C. Wallace, Mrs. William W. Rossiter, Mrs. Frederick B. Pratt, Mrs. Henry T. Richardson, and Mrs. Robert B. Woodward. Associated with Manager Webster on the Committee of Arrangements are W. E. O. Bebee, A. D. Byrnes, Arthur P. Clapp, George E. Fahys, William V. Hester, Frank P. Mc Coll, Dr. Leonard C. McPhail, Alfred Norris, Andrew Peters, Carroll J. Post, Jr., C. J. Turner, Jr., Frank D. Tuttle, and William C. Wallace.
The Cycle Club’s first outdoor run will take place on Saturday afternoon, perhaps to Coney Island.
So, basically, cycling in 1885 involved a bunch of society types meeting up at an indoor rink and riding their high-wheelers. Sounds more like upscale roller disco than cycling as we know it today. I’m also sure society folk in 1885 were essentially what yuppies were in the 1985 and what hipsters are now. So really, cycling was pretty different during the penny-farthing days, and the only common thread seems to be that hipsters have always liked it.
Still, it must have been quite a scene. According to the article, people who needed lessons “had to wait more than an hour before they could be accommodated.” Also, “[t]here were old men and young men there, struggling to learn to ride, and pretty girls and matronly ladies, some of whom could ride most gracefully.” There were even “little boys, hardly knee high, who circled around the spacious floor as if