New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-01
VHAT THE BfCYCLE RACE SHOWED.
SUCH CONTESTS ARE BRUTAL FROM THE NATURE
OF THEM.

SUCH CONTESTS ARE BRUTAL FROM THE SATURL
OF THEM.
The recent six.days bicycle at Madison Square
Garden has undoubtedly opened the field for the de-
yeopment of a new sport. That bicycle riding Is
becoming unusually popular in this country is assured,
and il only needed the Official stamp OF New-forKs
approval to make the sport universal all over the
country. The recent tournament at the GARDEN mas
certainly done this Little Martins recors OF 1.466
miles beats all previous records over nifty miles, and
in spite OF his great feat, it is doubtful If his
record will stand long, for the simple reason
that Martin, in spite OF his intense
sufertnss could have added one hundred miles II he
had been pushed
While the race was a superby managed one there
were many features which will be condemned should
they occur in a future tournament. More money was
taken in at this tournament than at any other tourna
ment OF its kind ever held in this city, and indeed the
miserable portions doled out to the six men who
finished in the race seemed to be out of all proportion
An the actual receipts Tie trouble was that the
riders interests not looked after well as the
managers Well.informcd people who have seen
previous tournaments liz this city expressed Lie
opinion on The last night Of the race that Martin. the
champion, would receive between $4,000 ard $4,000.
Martins actual receipts were less than $1,000 In
future tournaments Of this kind rsers VIII undoubt-
cdy be looked after much better.
In spite of the excellent management. the good
records and the cheering generally, there were
several features in the which were repugnant to
spectators. This thing Of keeping man the track al
most continuously for 142 hours is brutal and ought not
TO be encouraged OF course II shows the endurance and
pluck of the modern athlete but after the second or
third day il is merely matter Of brute force and
all scientific and interesting features eliminated.
The writer heard u wcllknown physician, who was Al
the Garden the next 10 the last day Of the
express the opinion that of superior intelligence
could not by any possible chance win race OF that
kind.
The physician said that such strain upon high
nerved intelligent man would undoubtedly set him
crazy "Why look at those going around the track
said he they arc merely autOmatOns, not really
scious Of what they doing Think he continued,
that race OF this order ought to be conducted on en-
trey different principles. Let the he the track
Tor sixteen hours each day. and let them have the other
eight for sleep, fresh air. baths and Refreshments
THIS would away with all these brutal features and
would certainly make the race more inspiring spec
tace for the OnlOOkers. During these sixteen hours
while the men are Oh the track, they would 20 ut a
err6c rate Of speed and tle race would be more
interesting and the contestants would not ride In that
pusillanimous manner and In such stless way which
Is so characteristic OF all the riders after the third day
Il that they will have race I'm Boston during
Thanksgiving week 1t would be a good idea for tho
IostOnians to adopt this plan, and will wager they
will find that the will not only be more interesting
from the spectators standpoint but that IL will
influence the financial returns OF the week.