The Portland daily press., 1889-05-31
SILENT STEEDS ON A MUDDY TRACK
Successful Meet Of the Maine
wheelnnen at BIddeford.
One Hundred and ThIrty-two cycIers
In the Parade.
Exciting Races, with One First Prize
Coming to Portland.
Especial to the Press.l

BIDDEFoRD, May 3O.-The Maine bicycle
meet here today was a success beyond all
expectations. The number Of visiting
wheelmen was larger. the roads in better
shape and the enthusiasm Of the towns
people greater than the local cyclists who
had charge of the affair had dared to
hope for. The only drawback of the day
was the shower In the afternoon, which
spoiled the track and came very near disap-
pointing the 1000 spectators who assembled
at the Saco Driving Park to witness the
races.
The first arrivals we're a Portland and a
Waterville rider. who came in on the eve
ming train. The 235 Pullman this morning
brought four men from Fairfield on the 7O8
several Lewiston and Portland riders came,
and on the train arriving at 9.25 the baggage
car was crowded with Go wheels, while as
many riders filed up the platforms Of every
car on the train as 1t steamed into the Bid
deford station.
ford, at 10 o'clock. led by Capt. George M.
Leavitt and Lieut.. @. III. Cobb Of the York
County Wheelmen, with whom rode the offi-
GERS Of the Maine division OF the league.
Then came the York County Wheelmen,
with the Portland Wheel Club next, and the
Lewiston. Fairfield. Belfast, Waterville and
Skowhegan riders following, the tail end OF
the procession being made up Of non-mem-
bers Of the league. There were 1872 cyclists
In the parade.
After pleasant ride through the principal
- -
taken to Old Orchard for dinner. The boys
huddled together on the Ocean House YER
anda to be "took" by Sawtelle, the Bidde.
ford photographer, and then they sat down
to royal banquet at 7. l.. Cleayes's res
taurant.
The races came of in Saco at 2.30 O'Clock,
witnessed by one Of the largest crowds ever
seen within the park. And they were en-.
thusiastic, too. 1t began to rain while the
men were. getting In condition for the first
heat, and many feared that the contests
would have to be given up, but the racing
men were ready and willing to venture out
In the rain. The rain had made the course
so soft that hard work and slow time were a
combination that accompanied every event.
Two headers were taken by Biddeford men,
one in the club and the other In the State
race.
George NJ. Leavitt of Biddeford won the
club contest In two straight heats; Walter l.
Aver Of Biddeford, second; Nathaniel
Adams Of Biddeford. third; r. A. Fairfield
of Saco, fourth. Time-412, 408.
The State race was won by G. s. Wyer OF
Fairfield in two straight heats; j. Lawrence
Of Biddef0rd, second; Nathaniel Milliken OF
Biddeford, third Time-4.13. 4.31. In rae
ing off the tie for second place with Milliken
John Lawrence made the best mile Of the
day, In 402.
The safety race was an easy victory for
Warren G. West Of Portland. who won two
straight heats besides the first, which was de
clared no heat II was nip and tuck between
o. ID. Alexander OF Portland and Charles I'll.
Cobb OF Biddeford for second place, an ex.
ira heat having to be made by them. Cobb
took second prize and Alexander third. Fred
Burns Of Saco took fourth prize. Lyle b.
Chase Of Portland entered and came in sec
ond In the first heat, but dropped out Of the
race on account OF the rain and the soft
track. Breen Of Portland also entered in
the first heat and came In last. Time-hali
mile, 2.01A. 1.5S, 2.45.
@. 5. Wyer Of Fairfield, winner Of the
State contest, captured the Pope prize cup
riding without competitor. His time was
the visiting wheelmen were royalty enter.
tanned at the York County Wheelmen' s
rooms In the evening. and left for home on
the Pullman.
The annual business meeting was held fol
lowing the supper. Chief Consul Dow Of
fOrtland presided. he reported the present
membership Of the division Ito, an increase
Of nearly 40 since he was elected to the Office
last fall.
Arrangements were made for revision OF
the division constitution and bylaws.
A. l.. i. Cummings OF Biddeford was re-
elected for the fourth year as secretary
treasurer Of the division, his term Of Office to
continue till September, 1890.
Considerable sport was enjoyed at the ex-
pense of two members Of the Portland
Wheel Club, who were obliged to submit to
an initiation.