Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-05-20
PEDALING FOR PRIZES.
The Capital Bicyclists Preparing for
the Races-SOmc Account Of the Lead.
ing COntestants-The Parade Friday
Afternoon. DC.

The same feeling of interest which led hun
dreds of people to rise at unaccustomed hours
and take an uncomfortable trip to Ivy City, in
order to see the horses in practice last week,
induces many to visit the Athletic Park every
evening, where the contestants in the races of
the Capital Bicycle club, on Friday, are hard at
work "in training" The park lacks the gala
appearance which it presents on the day of the
races. when fags and bunting profusely dis
played, hundreds of glittering wheels, and
their uniformed riders, crowded stands, and in
spring music lend additional fascination to the
excitement of closely contested races. But for
the "knowing ones there Is almost rs much
interest in the preliminary practice as in the
races themselves; and each ':fyer' who is APP
parentfy making fast time, is eagerly watched
and noted by score Of self constituted
timers. who hope to get points on which to
base calculations rs to his chances of success
To the uninitated bicycle racing consists in
sitting on the machine, and moving ones feet
fast, but there Is as great Il variety of style and
action among riders, as in any form of athletic
sport, and II visit to the track at 9th and 8
streets, any evening Will demonstrate this fact.
THE PROMINENT CONTESTANTS.
The most prominent rider in the District since
j. NJ. Borden retired from the track is b. w.
Hanna. His local reputation became national
last May when he won the three mile American
championship with ease, defeating John Brooks
and e; H. Chickerlng He rides, this year.
but % pounds and Il marvel of strength and
lightneSs. In spite of badly sprained ankle,
received recently, he is in active training, and
good condition. He is probably the lavorite in
the race for the five mile Flint cup. which he
has won once, when he defeated Borden in
nearly every local racer.
Eugene Crist sprang into prominence last sea-
son % by defeating Hanna being given start OF
that time has been most remarkable, and he is
justly looked upon as one OF the coming men in
* bor,
ton OF rapid pedaling and the contest between
him and Hanna. particularly in the one mile
District championship, promises to be Il memoir
Percy L. seuherle is very promising rider. OF
great determination and endurance. He rides
56-inch Ridge and has made fast time in
Will viii H; Benton is probably the fastest
Se r1 rIeF in tne city and in ysw
machine, his performance is looked forward
t to with "a a good deal of erest. Among the
events are Phil. :. Brown, l.. j. Barber. JAY
Kennicott and l.. NJ. Kouger. The latter, in
deed, is expected to make it warm for Hanna
beam at 1915 lbs. When all these riders are on
the track. and flying around at their best pace,
race between Barber, Brown and Renncott
arouses great enthusiasm. 1t is a close race. AS
they pass the judges stand the wind whistles
through the spokes. and each man is doing all
he can. Barber leads and Brown in vain tries
to pass him, and with a final burst of speed
down the hOmestretch Barber crosses the wire
in !. 1G; Brown close behind. The best time vet
made i'll practice is by Crist-three-quarters Ola
mile In PIP, or at the rate OF a mile in BOO
Brown has been timed for a quarter mile in
4212 seconds.
THE PROGRAM FOR FRIDAY.
The races commence at 4::IO p. IN. Friday,
May %, and the program is as follows: 4:3O. /
mile novice for men who have never won a
prize; 4:4O, mile championship of the District
OF Columbia, open to all amateurs: $50 I mile
for men who have never beaten 800; sos, l.,
mile for Capital club members; $40, ) mile for
Flint cup, open to Capital club members; $50
II mile for boys under 10 years of age: $40 )
mile: open to all amateurs; 5:55 3, mile open
to all amateurs; 6:O5. mile handicap open to
all amateurs: 81 5, = mile for Woodward & IO-
throp cup for Capital club members
In addition to the above, it is expected that
Messrs. Hansmann and Church. on a sociable
tricycle., will run a mile against Mcssrs. Forncy
and Davis, ON tandem tricycle-the first
event of the kind.
II past experience is an Indication the grand
stand Will be filled to Overlooking on the diy of
the races, which, from the excellent condition
are certain to be the most successful OF the long
series of successful races given by the Capjtai
club. The parade will start from the Capital
clubhouse ut 40 p. IN. and proceed to the
track under command OF Capt. d. w. Gill, Two
hundred whcelmcn will be in line.
1t may be of interest for purposes of COMPARE
son. to know that the American amateur BIZ
half-miie, lis 1-o; three-fourths mile 1859:
mile, 2:39; two miles, 5:i2 80; three miles.
$50 20; four miles, 1855 %; five miles,
14:51.