Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-03
CYCLING RECORDS.
Frank Shorthand Talks About Ma
chimes and Riders.

From the st. James Gazette.
No racing cyclist has made such a repu-
tation for himself as Mr.. Frank Shorthand,
whose performances clearly entitle him to
the premier position among long-distance
riders. 1t will be remembered that this
gentleman has covered no less a distance
than 426 miles within four-and-twenty
hours-an average of just upon eighteen
miles an hour throughout 1t occurred to
me (our representative writes) that a chat
with such a veritable champion would
make some interesting matter 1 accord
fngly sought and was courteously accorded
the necessary interview.
We naturally talked first (or rather did
about the phenomenal records at long dis
tances for which Mr.. Shorthand has made
himself so famous. II suppose you undergo
special course of training?" 1 asked.
mo; get no time for that. You see, cy-
cling is not the only thing that engages
my attention, and consequently 1 get very
few opportunities of riding"
But surely, before you enter upon a
twenty-four hours race you make some
preparation
Il get what little riding 1 can; but beyond
that 1 content myself simply with a fairly
rational mode of living"
Perhaps you even smoke and drink,
them" l inquired.
such Is my depraved taste
DO these terribly long rides entail much
physical exhaustion
mo. l never feel any unpleasant effects
from them, or perhaps L shouldn't be so
fond of trying them AS 1t is, l can safely
say that | am as fresh in the last hour as
at the end of the first six"
But am l to understand that you posi-
lively enjoy these tasks?'
Il certainly shouldn't perform them IL
didn't. 1 am fond of riding you know"
1T cannot be denied" i remarked, that
to ride continuously for twenty-four hours
is severe trial to a mans strength. Have
you any fear that it Is likely to do you any
harm?'
II can only say that / should stop at
once If felt l was OVERRIDING it. 1 wouldn't
ride to a finish for anybody or anything IL
thought was inturing myself. And as to
any future effects-well, / fancy there is
nothing to fear on that score or / should
have felt something of them already"
We next turned our attention to ma
Chimes and 1 showed some curiosity to
know whether 1t was probable that they
would be built still lighter and faster than
Crystal Palace seemed to iSScate, / sug-
gested. that little improvement in that d.
rection could be effected.
Il think you are right" Mr.. Shorthand re-
piled. Experiments have been tried with
aluminium to try and get a lighter frame,
but they were not successful. We cannot
hope to get a reliable machine down below
twenty pounds" and he added, Il don't
think We want one"
In that case, then, records are nearly as
low as they will be?'
Yes, there may be new records made,
but nothing very startling, 1 believe"
ITO get the mile down to two minutes
would be great performance. Mr.. Shor-
land; do you think we are likely to see to-
Not in the immediate future-nct next
season, l believe 1t will very likely cume
about some time or other, but don't knew
anybody now who could be expected to do
it,"
What do you suppose Cortis-the cham
pion of his time-could have done on q
hrst-class Humber of today?"
Much the same as SOME of our best men
are doing now. He was equal to them, no
doubt; but l shouldn't like TO say he was
any better 1t is not very easy TO judge.
as machines have changed SO radically since
his time; but there is no doubt he could
have made some COOL times On machines
as We now know :hem.''
"One more question, NJ Shoi III nd, IL I
may. When yoi neAt start for the Cuca
cup, do you think YOU will lie able II man
age lG miles in ;he twenty for hOurs?'
Pardonable modesty caused him 20 hest
tate before giving a direct answer; but he
finally didn't see why he shouldn't, given
conditions which were not unfavorable"
And l quite believe II, for / happen to
know that the limit of this fine athletes
pluck and endurance has not yet been
reached. Where would the record be- /
wonder, If he trained and got thoroughly
fit? One can only guess. 1 tried to get
Mr. Shorthand to. but he wouldn't.