The Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our maps and tours contain much valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L. A. W., the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership blanks and Information so far as possible.
Copyright, 1896, by Harper & Brothers.
The city of Washington is perhaps the finest city in the United States for bicycling, and it deserves to be given a place in this Department simply on account of its asphalt streets, to say nothing of its importance as the capital. In the better parts of the city, towards the west and the north, almost every street is asphalted, and where asphalt is not used, macadam or some smooth block pavement of one kind or another is. But through the whole city most of the streets are rideable, and it would therefore be absurd to give here any directions for getting about from one part of Washington to another. Certain things there are, however, which should be said regarding Washington. There is a good deal of riding of late in the parks and grounds about the Smithsonian, and it should be remembered that these park roads are kept in the best condition, as are all the avenues that run up to the Capitol. These are so wide that one need not fear crowding from carriages, as is the case in most cities, Baltimore especially. New York is, of course, almost impassable, except above Fourteenth Street, but the magnificent avenues of Washington are a joy to the wheelman. The District of Columbia is, indeed, filled with many good roads, and there are consequently several trips well worth taking in the vicinity of the city. It will be impossible for us to go into these trips, giving maps, since we must begin in the Chicago wheelman's vicinity, as was promised some time ago.
An opportunity is now given to explain a little more fully why the longest bicycle route from Philadelphia to Washington was given in these columns. It has already been said that the reason was because the road was better and less hilly. It is naturally taken for granted that any one riding a bicycle from Philadelphia to Washington is in no great hurry. If he were, he would possibly think of the railway. Consequently, unless the time occupied on the journey is a wager (in which case the wager might just as well be laid over the long route), the wheelman is probably out for pleasure. And one of the greatest pleasure creators, so to speak, in the bicyclist's world is a good road. Hence, if you are going by bicycle from Philadelphia to Washington, you will do well to go the route given during the last six weeks. The trouble comes between Philadelphia and Baltimore. Of course there are other routes, and they are shorter. For example, one route runs from Philadelphia, through Darby, Moore's, Chester Station, Linwood, Practical Farmer, Wilmington Court-House (Delaware), Middleton, Warwick, Cecilton, Frederictown, Galena, Locust Grove, Hainesville, Fairlee, Tolchester Beach (Maryland), and thence to Baltimore by boat. This is a 92-mile trip as compared with our 160-mile trip, or at least 68 miles shorter; but from Chester Station on the road is apt to be bad. Another route is from Philadelphia, through Moore's Station, Chester, Linwood, Practical Farmer, Wilmington (Delaware), Hare's Corner, Glasgow, Elkton (Maryland), Northeast, Perryville, and on direct to Baltimore, crossing at Havre de Grace. Much of this road is sandy, and between Elkton and Perryville it is usually easier to walk the whole 15 miles. The distance is, all told, 105 miles, though any one who had done it once would choose the 160 miles by the other route the next time.
On the above map the black streets are asphalt or macadam.
Note.—Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford, Connecticut, in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814. Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816. Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in No. 818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in No. 820. Trenton to Philadelphia in No. 821. Philadelphia in No. 822. Philadelphia-Wissahickon Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to West Chester in No. 824. Philadelphia to Atlantic City—First Stage in No. 825; Second Stage in No. 826. Philadelphia to Vineland—First Stage in No. 827; Second Stage in No. 828. New York to Boston—Second Stage in No. 829; Third Stage in No. 830; Fourth Stage in No. 831; Fifth Stage in No. 832, Sixth Stage in No. 833. Boston to Concord in No. 834. Boston in No. 835. Boston to Gloucester in No. 836. Boston to Newburyport in No. 837. Boston to New Bedford in No. 838. Boston to South Framingham in No. 839. Boston to Nahant in No. 840. Boston to Lowell in No. 841. Boston to Nantasket Beach in No. 842. Boston Circuit Ride in No. 843. Philadelphia to Washington—First Stage in No. 844; Second Stage in No. 845; Third Stage in No. 846; Fourth Stage in No. 847; Fifth Stage in No. 848.