This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and 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, 1895, by Harper & Brothers.
This week's map explains itself. It is a unique chart of the city of Brooklyn, showing by black lines the asphalted or macadamized streets within the city limits, and by corduroy lines those main avenues which, though paved with granite pavement, are fair riding, and which make the best exits from the city.
In the first place, it should be mentioned that on Sundays and holidays the Kings County Elevated Railroad of Brooklyn has a car, or throws the smoking-car open, for the use of bicyclists, who, carrying their wheels up the steps to the station, may put them on the train, and ride from the Bridge or Fulton Ferry out on Liberty Avenue to the city limits, from whence it is good riding out into Long Island. On other days bicycles cannot be carried on the elevated trains from Fulton Ferry after 3 p.m., nor from East New York before 10 a.m.
If the bicyclist intends to ride through the city from New York, he should take the ferry at Grand Street, and follow in the corduroy roads, and, leaving Broadway, get into Bedford Avenue. Bedford Avenue carries him on asphalt pavement to the Boulevard, and turning left into this, he rides until he strikes granite pavement at East New York Avenue. Turning again to the left into East New York Avenue, he continues until he reaches the fork, and then keeps to the right into Liberty Avenue, riding out Liberty Avenue, and so out of the city. Another course from Grand Street is by ferry to Broadway, Williamsburg, which is shorter but perhaps not so good riding, thence out Broadway direct to Wall Street, turn left into this and right into Bushwick Avenue to Jamaica Avenue, which is a turn to the left, and is a continuation of East New York Avenue, and soon to the left again into Highland Boulevard, which skirts along the cemetery, Highland Park, and the Ridgewood Reservoir. This is somewhat hilly, but commands a beautiful view of the city and of Jamaica Bay and the ocean, and is the most picturesque way of getting out of Brooklyn. Continuing on the Highland Boulevard, and running down the hill on Barbey Street, which is very steep, he comes again into Jamaica Avenue, and may keep on this, which is not very good riding, but nevertheless carries him out of Brooklyn towards Jamaica. The most direct route out of the city is, of course, on Jamaica Avenue. The Highland Avenue detour is hilly, and affords an opportunity for the rider to get a good view of the city.