The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-17
THE ROLL OF THE BICYCLES.
HARDING AND THE ELDER NOIELLE
EXPERIENCE a COLLISION
BeIard Revtves Under "a Diet Of Lamb Chops
md Wine-Messenger Carrying Inor-
dInate Leg LeisureIy Along In the Rear.

BeIard Revtves Under "a Diet Of Lamb Chops
md Wine-Mes.enger Carrying m Inor-
dInate Lex Lei.ureiy Along In the Rear.
On Thursday night the bicyclsts at the
Rink kept up their unvarying rounds, not ut
nll minding the water that poured through
leaks in the roof. Little puddles formed on tho
track in front Of the Judges stand. but tho rub
ber-shod bicycles shot through them without
oven wettng tho riders. The sharp-ieaturod.
black -moustached sturdy-limbed gas man kept
hard at work. now spinning about the upper
corners. now around the lower. with an energy
upon which the dirty night aud the slim attend
ance had no effect. At 4 o'clock there were
but two riders the gas man and Harding on
tho track. the others having retired-not to
sleep. for that was impossible. but to toss rest
lessly on their beds The band had gone
home and the tired helpers and walters slept
stretched out at full length on the benches.
Harding. attired from head to foot in
red. and De Noiclle. Sr.. in his white tights red
stockings and dancing pumps, were straining
every nerve to increase their respective scores.
Harding stopped for few minutes TO go to his
room. leaving his machine in charge OF n care
less spectator. When he rcmounted in the
southwest corner. the man by some unex-
planned awkwardness sent him out with a
quick shove toward the centre OF tho curve.
down upon which came the flying gas man at
full speed. The spokes OF the lattcrs nickel
plated machine were entirely invisible. so rap
idly did they revolve. Nothing short OF n wall
could have stopped him. Dc Noielc saw his
danger. and shouted at the top OF his voice.
For Gods sake. Bill clenr the wayl"
Harding tried to stop but the impetus given
to his machine was too great. lie toppled and
fell heavily his bicycle landing on top OF him.
Shouts Of dismay rose from the half-awak kened
spectators, and several Of them rushed for
ward. hut i was too late. De Noielle's 5s-inch
mach inc. the largest and heaviest on the track.
struck the unfortunate Harding sideways on
| the chest. twisting then partly around. and
| ningine the pale-inc gas man into the middle
| of the wreck, Groans and cries rose from both
| the riders. When they were disentangled IL was
| found that Harding had been severely bruised
| on tho chest, wounded ON the scalp, and had the
| skin torn from his arms. His right hand.
which he had held out TO break his fall. was
| swollen. from sharp contact with the composite
pavement, to double the natural size. and his
| knee was knocked out Of joint. Carried TO his
| bed in room OF the lobby. he had no sooner
been laid therein than he tainted. The gas man
! was badly bruised. ~ well ns stunned but by
| falling on top of Harding he escaped the severer
| injuries Of his rival. Both men were stripped
aud rubbed with lniment. and in n short time
! DE Noiclle was able again 20 take the track.
The rays Of the early morning, sunlight
| three or four wasted and tired-looking men in
| bcdragged tights spinning, some slower. some
| swiiter around the track. There were not ffty
| spectators in the whole house. The scorers
| yHwned and nodded. and the tallyman hardly
| had strength 10 shout the numbers OF tue riders
| as they finished their respective laps. The per-
spiration stood out thickly on the mems fore
| heads. and they wore n pallid restless look
| very different from the Jaunty. clean -cut air
| with which they started out. The inordnate
fatigue on tho muscles Of the legs and arms had
| told heavily.
Poor Bclard. whose handsome figure and
| graceful riding attracted 50 mu IN attention the
| first day. was plainly breaking down. His eyes
| were bloodshot. and his cheeks showed red
| hectic spots. in strange contrast with the per
spring clammness Of his forehead. To the re-.
porter, who found him resting after his 230th
| mile. he said that he waiter at the Hote
Brunswick: that he had entered the match en-
| tirey without training, and that he felt "verrf
| mceserable." He had had nothing but colo
meat TO eat the day before. and nobody to cool
| ANYTHING for him. " | tried 10 sleep last night.
he said. in broken English. smiling family
| but the noise was too much" Belard saws
| that he never was champion Of France. IA ad
! vertised in tho programme. and that he nevc
| even rode in a race with professionals in hii
| native country In the afternoon his mother
| and two female friends called. and cheered hin
| NJ with a present of bouquets delicate matter,
| To- eat. and several bottles OF cognnc and ligh
| wines. He ate ravenously Of lamb chops wash
ing them down with wine. and then went out u
| finish his 25nth mile.
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