New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-25
THE BIG RACE STARTED.
EIGHTEEN BICYCLISTs AT THE SCRATCH
IN MADISON SQUARE GARDEN.
A LARGE CROWD. PLENTY OF MUSIC AND LOTS
OF EXCITEMENT FOR THE SrARroFF
THE CONTESTANTS RIDE At

FURIOUS PACE
Madison souare Garden was blaze Of light and
color at midnight last night, when eighteen hardy
athletes lined up in the immense amphnneatre
preparatory to starting off on li--hour bicycle
race There was a crash from the band OF musicians
stationed In the centre OF the arena, the reteree
gave the signal. ana the wild scramble Tor dollars
and endurance glory had begun. Each rider hai
distinguishing coors. and the speed at first was
terrific each rider seeming to have mad desire
10 get the lead. The crowd yelled. the music be-
came louder and more frantic. and the spectators
felt the blood surge with excitement
But this is n race of endurance, and that terrific
speed cannot be kept up FOR long. a1d before the
Is up to-day rost of the contestants VIII Sow
down to that steady. plodGing rate of speed which
their trainers have outlined for them. The weak
at heart and others whose physical conformation
will not withstand the terrible strain will drop by
the wayside and by next Saturday night the heroes
who remain on the track will be small compared
with the little army which started off hopefully
last night.
TENTS FOR TIE WEARY RIDERS.
Every accommodation has been made for the
public and the riders. ami y the present tourna-
ment does not eclipse any ever held in this
city the critics in such matters Will be surprised
Little canvas tents have been put up on the Fourth
ave side Of the garden. where the weary riders will
get the few hours Of rest allowed them by their
trainers during the week. Each tent l. fitted up
with oil stove. cooking utensils bunk and in
numerous bottles of lininents and medicines.
There will also be physician in attendance to
look after the unforunates who fall by the way
side
The eth Regiment band will give concert every
afternoon and evening, and other interesting fea-
lures will be trick riding by W. $. Maltby and
Eugene A. Neidert. Howell champion of England
Prince, Masterson, IIanes. Price, Kluge Bcttner
NTpIto =, tclx orJ
Bartholomew will take part in the short distance
races. which will be run afternoon and evening
during the week. Handsome prizes will be given
in the short races well in the long
The track is one of the best ever put down-so
say the riders, who have tested it thoroughly dur
Ing the las, few days. Ii has wavy, billowy look
about II which. 70 an inexoerienccd eye would
suggest Of those crazy tobOggan chutes seen at
angle of thirty degrees. and bicycle can be run at
full speed on any part Of the track The track IS
ten laps 20 the mill. Most Of he riders rode safe
ties. although there ordinarcs well geered
9rdlnaries he latter sort Of compromise or cross
List Of he contestants is as follows; G. H. Van
Albert Albert schock, Frank o. FGiier. Dawson
Tornwalt Peter Golden. Edward Reading. \. ).
bert Hosmer. II: Z. Bartholomew. Frank Waller,
=. J. Berlo. J. +. Starbuck and II. Greer.
At ll:6 p. m. when the riders first appeared.
made by groups of young men Yelling their college
in o G9 war GrT g T1 he cc1 As r, vas
como. heartier than that extended TO Martin, the
ciean-cut champion
Tn" start vas made promptly at 1901. with Ash
niger and Martin In front. Ashnger led the end
~ the first lap. B"riO. the cX-amateur. then shot
out ~ ~" bunch with q lightning burst OF speed
drawing way from the others as II they were an y
chored. Ringing cheers followed him he crcei
around the track RorlO completed the first mile
IN two minutes and forty-onc seconds. excellent
time undo~ the circumstances. tie started out with
the intention Of bre ll.ing the tWenty-fOur- hour
record. and while hr may DO this. h. viii destroy
what chance h might have for winning the race
He will probably be- among the short-distance rid
ers by Tomorrow. Reading. AshingeT and Martin
look in particularly good physical condition.
Tho core AT ! O'Clock was.