A WONDERFUL BICYCLE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1718, 24 November 1887, Page 3

A WONDERFUL BICYCLE

I A camber of gentlemen interested m the adaptaion of bi;ycjle to mitt ary purpesas assembled racent y at Hmwell, Englana, to witness some trials and experiments with a bicyole which has been constructed by Messrs Wilkin and Co., of Holborn Viadnot The bloycle, whicb, m its general outward anpearaaoa, resembles a maohine of the familiar " Safety " type, was pat tbroDgh a series of the most extraordinary teats, with a result whioh greatly astonished and am need the onlookere. Starting from the centre of the town, a man rode the machine over half a mile or so of road to the bank of the River Brent, where, dismounting, ho proceeded to blow Into a o .tuple of email bags attached to the handles. The li>fl*tion occupied about a minute, and then the rider, having thrown his bicyole into the water, dived after it, swam aoroos, and landed on the other side. He then rode over three or fonr miles of very rough and varied country, inolnding ploughed fields and swampy meadow*, and having recrossed the river, regained fiaawell by some very rough lanes, lifting his maohine ove,r the closed gates. Altogether he covered a dietanoe of about five miles, and his time was a little more than 41 minatei. Subsequently a few well known cyclists, who were among the visitors, tried the machine and rode over the most uneven ground, up and down sharp hills, bricks, and other obstructions, m a manner that greatly surprised military men arid others who were present.