The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1892-12-03
4 cnoSTlY bDcYclIST.
He 8nters Z Five-lfile Race With I
Pace Almost Deadly.


Pace Almost Deadly.
II used to ride in races, and only Ia
year spun around the track 1t my hon
in the East, but was cursd of the spo
in rather remarkable manner" sud
visiting bicyclist at the race Of thu Gar
den City Cyclers in this city to reporter
1.-THE story is strange one," ne con
tinued, ''and have never told it to any
one yet that think really believed 1t
but so firmly am / convinced OF tn
reality of m incident that was ffightfu
in some of its details, that for fear Of
REPETITION have not had the courage t
ride IN race since.
tThe races were run on a half mile
horse racing track that had been rollet
and otherwise partially prepared for thu
purpose. had never been especially fast
but Just before the event ! hao bought
new pneumatic tire racer, one Of the hrs
seen in that part of the country. The ma.
chine was beauty. full nickeled, and
with the object Of making display more
than anyhing Else ! entered for the Eve.
mile race witG 15-minute limit, the con.
dltlons being the same as those Of the last
race in San Jose yesterday that Wilbur
Edwards won.
"Therc were seven starters in the race
and we had;1 laps to make. I thought
we we're making rather slow time, and
from some remarks that ! overheard
from the judges stand when we passed
On completing the eighth lap was GER
tain that it would be no race, as the win
ner would not make the distance within
the time required. By this time / was
we'll winded and was sure that would
not come out first, but did not feel in
the least disappointed, as had not ex-
pected to win the race when ! started.
"In the beginning Of the ninth lap,
however, as I was tolerably we'll in the
lead, thought would squirt little, so
forged ahead and was allowed to make
the pace for awhile each of the riders
having done this in turn before me. !
had been in the lead seemingly only q
second to my surprise saw just ahead Of
me strange looking rider on an old
style, solid-tire wheel. l had not seen
him pass and did not know that any such
man had entered the race in the fzst place.
"The stranger was we'll in the lead and
l felt so much ashamed of myself to think
that I was Flooding behind on. 9 new
style racing pneumatic while he was
making a pace at a swinging gait on .
solid tire, that just dug my toe pals
into the track, so to speak, and did my
utmost in an attempt to pass him. 1t
did no good, however. ! could not de-
crease the distance, although spnrred on
as / was my speed, as l afterwards
learned, became something terrific.
"when passed the grand and judges
stands at the end of the ninth lap for the
finish there was tremendous cheering.
could not understand what it was all
about, as did not consider that my ef-
forts on pneumatic flyer to catch man
on a solid tire with spring frame were
worthy of much applause. l did not
have time to look around and see what
the rest of the rides were doing.
"On flew like the wind, every muscle
strained to the utmost In my endeavors
to catch the stranger who kept swinging
along about 10 feet in the lead. l fel
that he must tire out at last, so I did not
relax. but rather increased the immense
strain to which l was putting every fiber
Of my beng. When we neared the grand
stand could hear thunders of applause
rolling up to greet US, and when l was
within so yards of the scratch I made |,
last desperate effort to pass the stranger.
"In the strain that was upon me shut
my eyes and padded like lightning.
When l was certain that I had crossed
the tape l looked up just in time to see
q terrible spectacle. The wheel of the
rider ahead struck something. He was
thrown forward and struck on his head.
+ was sure his neck was broken and blood
gushed forth from his nose, mouth and
ears. The sight was horrible and in my
exhausted state could stand the strain
no longer. l tainted and fell from my
wheel.
"The next thing knew was stretched
out on blanket in the rubbing down
room with crowd around me. As soon
IS the boys saw that had recovered con.
seriousness all of them began to talk to
pe at once. They congratulated me on
my wonderful victory, all declaring they
had never seen anything like 1t before.
They all wished to know, however, why
had exerted myself 30 much when
was SO tar in the lead. l had left all the
rest OF the riders far behind, and yet l
swept forward and saved that race, coming
Just inside of the 15-minute limit.
"When l spoke of rider that was
trying to catch all were dumb with
amazement, They had seen no such
~heelmau and the judges had given me
II |