The San Francisco Call and Post from San Francisco, California • Page 28

Unfrequented Bicycle Roads in the You ride tne bicycle? Of course, or at least you are thinking more or less seri- ously of learning to master it, with a view I of holding a place in the procession now rapidly nearing the end of the century on i In either case this article may furnish i you a few suggestions, provided you are I TiOt a "scorcher" or ambitious to become one. The "scorcher" does not ride for I be chases records. His chief aim in life is to cover a certain number of in a little less than a given number of minutes. Like a will o' the the I record flits before him, and to grasp it, i even though he holds it but for a brief is to become the lion of an hour in the cycling world. lie the country, to be sure, but he doesn't see it.

What if lie sky ba blue, the wayside gorgeous with springtime Mowers, the overhanging branches tenanied by sweetest songsters? The "scorcher" has no time to note tiiese things. Bat withal he's a good fellow, and this is not means to disparage his importance. Without him there would no racing, and without contests of to stimulate the ambition of wheeltaien even those who ride dimply for enjoyment would take less interest in the sport. Yet the vast majority of men and women who ride the do so principally because it combines in the highest degree moderate exercise and exhilarating recreation. With more or less timo at command they are lond of leisurely sptns through the part, occasional trips to San Leamlro or Haywards, and perhaps, once in many months, a journey even so far as bun Jose.

They would fain go elsewhere, but know not bow. This is a city of hills, and having made several fraitless efforts to strike out in. search of ridable roads they have abandoned the quest. Travel over the beaten paths becomes monotonous, the once attractive scenery its charm, and in nine cases out of ten the bicycle is temporarily relegated to thp storeroom. Now this is ail wrong.

The cycling season is here ai.ead of time this year. So get out your eel and prepare to readjist your bearings as to the lay of the land hereabouts. Come with me on a few none of wh.cn wiil take you lar irom home. Perhaps when you return it may be with fresh ideas regarding the advantages of this badly paved, top-tilteJ I ANGEL ISLAND SOLDIER ATHLETES. The regular United States soldier is a paliant fellow, whether at work or at play, and baa a touch of the old Grecian spirit hm that makes him iike athletic sports next to the smell of puvrder dear heart of every man of war.

That is why ttie field days at the various abopt the hay are such a great sue- and why the of the Nation prow greater day by day in brawn and brain, for a healthy body makes a healthy mind. Athletic contests in the army have come to siav. of thought and act. on is as much taught in the army now as the precision in drill ana riile practice, and it is what the manly boys in blue can accomplish in the way of feats of strength and strategy when the approvipK eyes of their superiors and the ladies are upon them. Over at Angel where the Third Artillery is statior.ei, ihey have a magnificent lot of Holdiers, and the rivalry Miiong them, friendly and mnnly though it is, has developed many line athletes who would shine on any field.

A certain time for practice is set aside in each day, and all who are in good physical condition are expected to participate. The boys in blue take to it willingly enough, for they look forward to genuine competitive days with pleasure and even eagerness. When the eventful morning once a month arrives, volunteers for "Field Day" are called for and the number who spring forward to take part is generally in excess of those who can be comfortably used. One of these exciting events or series of events took place a few days ago, and the i-ecords that were made in some of the contests were remarkable. Tiie board that exercised supervision over and judged the contests consisted of First Lieutenant C.

W. Foster of Battery 1, First Lieutenant A. Bennett of Battery D. arid Second enant E. P.

O'Hern oi Battery lj officers of ihe Third Artillery. contest was first on the programme, ana It was a magnificent struggle that ended only when the van- finished were at their last cleat and hauled over it. Teems from Batteries and I pulled two out of three, ana the latter won town ai a cycling center. Before starting into the country look well to the condition of your wheel. See that every nut is tight, that the tires are I of the proper lirmness, that sufficient oil has been applied, and above all have th? chain well lunricated.

With these essentials attended to there's little danger of annoying delays. Making repairs by the roadside is simple, theoretically, but in practice is not conducive to serenity of temper. And don't forget your shoes. For touring they should come high enongh to just cover the amde-joirt. There is i THE RIDE ALONG LAKE CHABOT.

to be kept out and maybe seme hard i knock? to Be averted. We will not go to the ClifF, nor through the Presidio, nor to Inglesiae. These are all old familiar places. Of the Mission road The least said ihe it is steep I and never in good condition. Although the bay road, wnieh winds in long curves around the shallow waters of the western shore, is ceriainly picturesque it is also i rather rough and is guarded by the midable five-mile hiil.

If you are a strong rider arid feel that duty calls you to San ot any of the intermediate towns take the bay road. If you don't want to get "that tired feeling" itt the beginning of your trip take the train to Milbrae. From this point the road is excellent, but instead of continuing on to the Garden City turn abruptly to the left at Burliugame, cross the I road track and with a swerve to the right reach Maieo beach. Here you may pluck flowers on the shore or plunge into the placid waves that ripple over the bottom. The water is never very cold and there are no dangerous currents.

After breasting the tide a while take a rub down, and you will wonder why the wheel runs so lightly on the return trip. From San Mateoor Belmont there are several roads leading into the hills, and even beyond to the settlements along the i ocean. But these, with the exception of the run to the Crystal Springs reservoir, which is well worth a visit, are hard climbs to make and will scarcely compensate for the outlay of time and muscle. No need to mors than mention the read to Haywards or the racing course over the famous San Lorenzo triangle. These are traversed weekly by thousands of wheelmen.

Yet seldom do any turn aside 1 the victory. After a rest the winners and a team from Battery pulled for the final, and I was again victorious. Private Tom Aiorlcy, anchorman of Battery is a fine physical specimen, with ample nerve, and he sat as firm the instrument afier which the position is named. The tug-of-war greatly interested the audience, composed the ollicers and their families, other attaches cf the post and a few visitors, but the next event, a' i wall-scaling contest, exriiea them to a 1 high pitcn of enthusiasm. It was an illustration of and practice for what the f.olaier must encounter when assailing an position, and, the men went at it witn a vim that savored of genuine comi Oat.

The walls were perfectly smooth board fences ten and fifteen feet high, and teams of five men each from the different batteries competed. All were in heavy marchin? order, with rifles and bslts containing 100 rounds of ball cartridges, and the manner in which they overcame difficulties was very comj mendable. Company H's team was the first to make an assault on the ten-foot wall, and it made a record of seconds, that was not equaled during the day. When it is considered that the content included the I firing nt five shots each by the first two men at the top and of as many by each of tne others when all were on the opposite I side, It will be seen that this is remarkable I time. Battery came next with a record of 1 mm.

8 sec, and Battery i finished in seconds. Tne scaling of the fifteen-foot wall was more difficult, and the men had some narrow from falling. To gain the top it was necessary for one man to mo'inton the shoulders of another who stood close to the wall. Then a third clambered to his shoulders and a fourth I on the shoulders of the th ird and fastened a strap to the top. Up this slender support all swarmed to send a storm of lead and defiance at an imaginary enemy on the other side.

Battery performed the difficult feat, in heavy marching order as bsfore, in 2 minutes 12 seconds, John H. Davis, the last man, Koingover the obstruction like a tqurrol in epite of his 180' pounds oi bone I THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 1897. I to enjoy the varied beauties of LaKe Chabot or the nearer by loveliness of Laundry Farm. It's a warm day, but there's sure to be I some shade, so let us have a look at Lake Chabot and the Castro Valley. The dam at Lake Chabot is only two I miles from San Leandro as the crow flies, and he does fly here sometimes.

Just at ihe base of the little triangular town square, turn to the left into Estudillo avenue, a splendid street, straight as au arrow and lined on either Bide with lofty I locust trees, their branches almost inter-1 lacing. At the end of the avenue is a lit! BEACH ON THE NORTHERN SHORE OF RICHARDSON'S BAY. i and muscle. In order to give the boys a little rest before more heavy events were called, the eentler exercise of tent pitch- I ing was inaugurated. The way those white havens of rest were hustled out, raised on their supi ports and pegged aown was a caution, and they were reared into the air as if the genii of Aladdin's lamp were at work on them.

The men of Battery had their tent up and in sun. shape order in 3 minute seconds, Battery I being second and seconds behind. This linished the forenoon's contests and the lads sat down to their dinner with sharpened uppetites. The first event in the afternoon, called at 1 o'clock sharp, was a relay race of 1000 yards, which won by the speedy spurters of Battery Battery I being second. The time of the winners, 1 minute seconds, was very creditable.

The men took up their portions of the run with remarkable celerity and with practice wiil lower this record considerably. In the litter-bearing race, used to give the men practice in skill and speed in bearing wounded comrades from the field of battle, Davis of Battery was first and Dans of Battery I seoond. Lanford of Battey 1 won the mile race, Mountain of Battery being second. The time was 5 minutes 'JD I 4 seconds. The 440-yard go-as-you-please race, heavy marching order, was won by Panlu of Battery I in I minute 23 seconds, Davis of Battery second and Chatham and Dumbler of Battery I dead heat for third.

The mile walk finished the day's exercises, Kelly of Battery winning in 9 minutes 15 seconds, Rasmussen of Battery second and Walton of Battery I third Genial Colonel Bainbridge, commander of the Third, watched the games with a p. eased yet critical eye and seemed to take a pride in the prowess of bis "boys in blue." J. P. R. Hambletonian's Skeleton.

It will be interesting news to horsemen that plans have been recently consummated for digging up the bones of the trotting progenitor, Rysdyk's Hamblelonian, and placing the mounted skeleton VICINITY OF SAN FRANCISCO tie whitewashed cottatre, evidently the abode of a farmer who ig plowing near i by, but on the ridge of the steep roof is i the faded sign of a saloon. It tins outlived its usefulness and is an incongruous feature of the sylvan scene. Proceeding about a quarter of a mile we reach the parting of tiie a fork in ihe road that is quite misleading, for the i most-traveled way is the one not to fol- I low. Take the branch on the right that up the steep side of a hill. It's only I 100 yards to the top, but it's easier to walk, Here the soil is adobe and for a short dis- i tance is badiy broken up, but later in the season it will be all right.

The road is cut out of the side of a cnain of hills. Below, to the left, is a narrow, deep valley, tliickly wooded, but one looks over the i tops of the trees. The sweet scent of willows comes on the air, and the gurgling 01 water over a pebbiy bed is heard. A little further 0:1 the lake itself bursts into view. Blue and clear as the sky above it stretches away and away between breaks in the hills, seen here and there through opening3in the overhang- i ing foliage.

Involuntarily thinks of I pictures that he has seen of the lakes of Killarney. Directly opposite the eminence on which we stand is tbe great dam, covered with the greenest of grass. At its ba3o a few head of cattle are feeding, and beyond the white sail of a boat glints in the sun. The water is ud to the limit, and a foam- 1 crested cataract pours, under a bridge of btone, and is guided through an open conduit into the vale below. The cascade roars like a miniature Niagara, and is the only sound -that breads the stillness of the spring day.

The road wind- for some distance above the shores of the lake, which is apparently of vast extent, though in reality it is less than six miles long. Ferns and flowers grow on the bank to th? right, and the i wild honeysuckle hangs in festoons here and there. On a rocky point sits a lone fisherman. He ooens a bulging bag and displays a hue mess of trout, carp, caifixii aad a few minnows for small change. "Does the water company care? maybe, bnt it's a long way frota the office," is the philosophical reply.

of America's most noted horse on exbibij tion in the museum of Natural History in I New York. The museum has an excellent collection of the equine species from the period ol the five-toed horse, that is no larger than a fox, but there is no specimen of the modern horse. This shortcoming was observed a few weeks ago by John H. Wallace, the Historian of the trotting horse, and be volunteered to pay the bill for procuring the skeleton of a representative American trotting horse if the museum authorities would give it a place in the collection. This they were glad to do.

Mr. Wallace at once thought of Hambletonian as the horse of all horses to be piaced on view, and took measures to obtain permission to exhume his skeleton. Ham bletonian, as all horsemen are aware, was the first really great trotting sire ever known, ana his descendants comprise more than 96 per cent of all the fast trotters now on the turf. When the old "Hero of Chester" died, in 1876, he was tmried with honors on a high nill on ttie William M. Ilysdyk place, overlooking the little village of Chester, Orange County, which he had made famous throughout the horse world.

About ten years the trotting-horse breeders of the country raised a fund for placing a monument above Hambletonian's grave, and a granite shaft now marks the resting-place of the renowned stallion. Mr. Wallace last week obtained consent to the proposed plan of digging up the skeleton of the old horse, ana the work will probably done within a few days. It is the intention oi the museum authorities to place on exhibition at some future time the of a representative thoroughbred racehorse, a draught-horse and a common cart-horse, in addition to that of the great trotter. The Collector.

Good English "Mamma, if I had a hat before I had this one it's all right to say that's the hat I had had, isn't it?" "Certainly, Johnny." "And if that hat once had a hole in it and I hiut it mended I could say it had a hole in it, couldn't If" "Yes, there would be nothing incorrect in that." "Then it'd be good English to say that ihe hat I had had bad had a hole in it, wouldn't it?" "Johnny, you make my head Chicago Daily Tribune, By a gradual descent the road reaches the lowlands at the head of the lake, 1 which is left belrnu and the Castro Valley entered. Here are the homes of many sniali farmer-: and stockmen. In the wheeling is hard, but the roads will soon gel broken down. Rushing down a sharp declivity between two farmhouses we are again on the San Leandro road, this time at a bridge near Haywards, I having a detour ot about eight i miles. If this ride seems a bit too long go up i into the canyon at Lanndry Farm.

A little more than a mile from Fruitvaie a I crossroad leads to Mills College. It is i smooth and well Kept. Follow it past the bridge at the entrance of the seminary, and if the grade is too hard for you walk a few yams to the top of the incline. Then comes a gentle slope. If you keep on tbe main drive you'll pass through a pretty piece of country, but will soon get into the foothills and rind it advisable to retrace your way.

But turn sharply to the left and bold the wheel in check unti! you reach the bed of the creek below Laona Heights. Guided by the stream, which at one place you must cross on a single plank, pasj the rock-crushing plant, fed by an automatic railway, and enter the elen. a favorite resort of picnickers, but where one seldom sees a bicycle. Beyond this it is not pleasant to ride, though there are paths which may be pursued for some distance in various directions. But climb to the top of one of the many ridges and yon may obtain a splendid view of Oakland, Alainftda, Berkeley, the bay, San Francisco and the Golden Gate.

The trip is a short one and the recompense more than ample. Back of Oakland is the road into Jack Hays Canyon, starting from Temescal, which is extremely picturesque, but rather too hilly for real enjoyment. The same may be said of the route into Moraga Valley by way of the Fish ranch. The ambitious road-rider, however, will do well not to miss the scenic charms here to ba found. Should you desire to visit Martinez while on this side of the bay, take the county road at Golden Gate station, and you will find fairly goo I wheeling, bar ring occasional grades, where it is advisai 'TWAS ONLY A SUBURBAN INCIDENT.

Oh, country, creen and fair! Oh, apple trees waving there! How sweet thy cool retreat. How full or rest' Caroled Mr. Middlerib in a voice like a cracked accordion and with a beautiful disregard of air and words as he thought of the aevr country home he bad just purchased, "near two lines Of streetcars and not more than five minutes' walk from the Town Hall." "Now, my dear," he said, speaking to Mrs. Middlerib, who was preparing to pack up, "we will be able to spend the rest of our days in peace and comfort. I'm glad I aoM out the meusly old store, even if I did get only half what it was worth.

I'm getting too old for business; let the young fellows have a chance. No more getting out of bed at daylight to hurry down to the store so that the clerks can't knocK down half the morning receipts for me. I'm going to enjoy life, I am." It may be remarked that Middlerib had not been able to stand noise of any sort since he sold his clarionet. Then he went downtown to find an expressman who would not charge more than $13 a load for transporting furniture across the bay. "Oh.

this is great!" said Mr. Middlerib tht afternoon they got comfortably and cozily settled. "Captain Pookdeck, a retired sea captain, who lives next door, keeps a cow and will supply us with plenty of fresh sweet milk. Mr. Whackem, in the next block, is an honest teamster, they say, and can do any little hauling we may need from town.

Dr. Pillstuff, across the streer, has a splendid dog that he says keeps an eye on the entire neighborhood and that we need have no fear of tramps or burglars. I think we shall lead a quiet and happy life here." Early that evening Mr. Middlerib got a breathing spell, and sat out on his front porch and solemnly contemplated the hammer-bruises and tack-punctures and abrasions of stove- legs and pinches of obstinate stovepipes tnat adorned his fingers, and wondered if Providence would not kindly strike the House with lightning and burn it up before he had to move again, if that time ever came. Then the beauty of the suburban scene 'URN IN THE ROAD NEAR THE FOOT OF MOUNT TAMALPAIS able to walk.

Indeed, nothing promotes pedestrianism like cycling in the Coast I Range. For a change of scene turn to the north. The dense forests find rusniug rivulets of Marin will be marvelous to many. True, they may ba seen from car windows, but i stereotyped views soon fail to please. You must get ciose to nature's heart if you would feel it beat.

Take a day off, or go on Sunday after church, of course. Cross to Sausalito, then steer toward Tamalpais, once beantifnl to b'hold, now cruelly gashed by ruthless progress in the guise of a scenic railway. The cross-like scar made by an avalanche is still there, but does not mar the mountain's face as does the work of man. The road has many bends, bat in half an hour you may reach Mill Valley and rive into the rrdwoods. Rest here a whiie, see the old mill, the three wells and the cascade, then take a path little favored by cyclists.

Leave the village behind, sprint through "Jagtown" and cross the narrowgauge track near Alto station. Then on across the marsh and in and out the in- dentations along the shoreline mads by the northern arms of Richardsons Bay until Tiburon is reached, and a boat for the City may be taken. The road is not bad, except in places, and only once or twice is it necessary to dismount on account of the grade. But troin no other point ran one see Sausalito, Belvedere, Tiburon and. San Francisco in one picture, with Alcatraz and Angel islands appearing in unexpected places.

There are some shingly beaches here, and occasionally one may tind a few youthful bathers careless of the conventionalities. Arriving at Tibnron, if there is time to spare, tase the broad-gauge train through the tunnels to Green Brae, where are moored a rare collection of arks, none of which Noah would recognize. Irom thi3 place there is a good road to San Quentin, naturally starting on tbe down grade. blotted the pains and stings of his digits, and he fell into a trance of ecstatic content. The sun was just sinking out of sight, throwing long bars of burnished gold athwart the horizon.

The air was Boit and balmy, and the dreamy hum of insect life floated in to Mr. Middlerib a3 he sat and drank in the glory of the scene. So peaceful, so fraught with every attribute of nature that he loved was it all that Middlerib wondered if he could stand so much happiness 365 days running. He was just about to bjeak into a Dean of praise for his good fortune when there was the sound as of a smalt but energetic hurricane coming down the street. Mingled with the tramping of heavy animal feet came "Wi.oa! who-oh-oh-oo! wboal Yon son of a thief!" Whack! whack! biff! "Head him off, Bill! Whoa!" A bie gray mule, with a paintbrush tail, came skirmishing down the road ahead of a mob of boys and men, head and tail in tbe air, and doing his best to kick every animated object that came within range.

It was plain that one of Mr. Wbackem's males bad got loose, and Middierib's surmise was proved correct when the honest teamster and bin three sons appeared in hot pursuit. Middlerib groaned as the animal was cornered and his dream of rural bliss fled. "Whoa Don' throw him Whoa, you son of Balaam's! Look oat for his heels, Bill. Hee-haw, hee-haw.

Hold on, Tom. Hurry up. Git down the road furder. Bill. Whoa.

whoa. Hee-haw. hee-haw. Dog-gone the diddledy dog-, gone mule to thunder. Whoa!" The cavalcade passed on and Middlerib looked anxious and sad.

"Sook-kee, Book-kee, 1 It sounded like the steam calliope of the circus, but it was only Captain Pookaeck calling his cow. "Sook-kee, Sook-kee, Suke, Suke! Come, Suke!" he yelled, emphasizing his call by banging vigorously on the bottom 'of a -big tin milkpail with' the leg of a mil king-stool. Mr. Middlerib buried his nervous fingers in bis hair and tried to pull the top of bis head off. After viewing the prison you may if not legally embarrassed continue the ride to San Rafael, Petaluma, Fairfax, San Auselmo or Roes station.

From San Anselmo begins the cycler's road to Camp Taylor, and up the Russian River or its picturesque tributaries. From Koss station you wiil find it worth while to follow tbe Lagunitas to Liberty. To got iito the depths of a rclwood forest you must go to Camp Tayior or Cazedero. The start is made from San Anselmo, but it is necessary to wa.k over White's Hill, the road being too steep and crooked to ride in either direction. Once beyond this forbidding eminence you plunge into a real wilderness.

Some of the trees are veritable giants. Two cyclists with their wheels may stand within the hollow trunk of one old redwood that tow rs 200 feet overhead. It is difficult to realize that this is only a two hours' ride from home. The river now is running full and is crossed by many a rustic bridge. Dragon i flies, gli3tening in tl sunshine, dart before your eyes and song birds are everywhere.

Why waste your iile hours in the city? Up, mount your wheel and tind health and happiness here in the wildwood. E. E. Curtis. While the retired mariner was bawling for his cow the hurricane returned.

It came in a whirlwind of dust, whoops, paint-brush tails, clods and sticks. From the center of disturbance shot forth bawls, brays, yells, and presently, just as Pookdeck's cow emerged from an alley just in time to join in the festivities, the discordant clangor of a cowbell. Pookdeck ran out into the street to try to head off the procession, while Middlerib sank on his knees and crammed his lingers into bis ears. Just as Pookdeck had howled in his best storm-at-sea voice, "What'n tnunder's chasm' that, keow?" Dr. Pilistuff's dogkeeping an eye on tne entire neighborhoo dashed across the street and tangled up the whole works right in front of Middlerib's house.

The complicated movements that followed placed the captain right in line, and he was promptly tossed over the Middlerib fence into a garden urn, where he lay howling like a dervish for whisky and arnica. While Middlerib was administering these to suffering ex-mariner the cow and mule, hemmed in on one side by the Waackem cohorts and on the other by the Pillstnff canine, bulged through the fence a yelling, braying, barking, vociferous mass that ruined $116 worth of plants and upset the owner of the property, carrying him and Captain Pookdeck out into the alley and trampling on every square inch of their anatomies before the convention adjourned. The Middierib place was advertised for Bale the next day and Middlerib says that while there are some pleasant features about country life, he feels that in justice to his heirs he ought to stick to business as long as his health holds John P. Reynolds. By different nations every day in the week is apart lor public worship Sanday by the Monday by the Tuesday by the Persians, "Wednesday by the Thursday by Friday by the Turks, and Saturday by the Jews.

The notes of the Bank of England cost exactly one half penny each. 27.