VELOCIPEDES.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 528, 10 July 1869, Page 3

VELOCIPEDES.

The success of the two-wheeled velocipedes has been repeatedly demonstrated in various parts of England ; and the culminating point has been by the introduction of tbe " Victorine," or one-wheeled velocipede, the invention of Mr John St. Leger Partridge, who issues a challenge to all comers to a race of velocipedes, of any model, to some town not more than 100, or less than 50 miles from London. He further offers to give one mile start for every 20 in the course decided on, the road selected to be a fair average one as to ascents and descents. This " sensation " match will doubtless be watched with much curiosity, it being the first attempt, we believe, on record at progression en velocipede with positively only one wheel. A journey on bicycles from Liverpool to London, by way of Oxford and Henley, has been accomplished by two

of the Liverpool Velocipede Club. On Wednesday evening, March 24, Mr A. S. Pearson, and Mr J. M. Caw, the honorary secretary of the club, set out from the shores of the Mersey for a " preliminary canter " to Chester, from which city they started in earnest on Thursday morning, March 25. After a ride of 59 miles, they arrived at Newbridge, near Wolverhampton, where they stayed the night. On Friday, March 26, the veloeipedians. having traversed the Black Country, went on to Woodstock, a dislance of G9 miles, where they slept. On Saturday night, March 27, the tourists arrived in London, feeling none the worse for their long ride. Their bicycles caused no little astonishmenl on the way, and the remarks passed by the natives were most amusing. At some ot the villages the boys clustered round the machines, and, when they could, caught hold of them, and ran behind until they were tired out. Many inquiries were made as to the name of " them quere horses," some culling them " whirligigs," " menageries," and " valaparaisos." Between Wolverhampton and Birmingham attempts were made to upset the riders by throwing stones. The tourists carried their luggage in carpet bags, which can be fastened on by strapping them either in front or on the portmanteau plate behind.