The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-06
CYCLING RECORDS.
Frank Shorthand Talks About BTachin es
and Riders

and Riders.
No racing cyclist has made such repu-
tation for himself as Mr.. Frank Shorthand,
whose performances clearly entitled him
to the premier position among long-dis-
tance riders. 1t will be remem bered
that this gentleman has covered no less
distance than 426 miles within four
and-twenty hours-an avearge of just
upon eighteen miles an hour through
out. 1t occurred to me Jour representa-
tive wrltes) that chat with such veri-
table champion would make some inter-
esting matter. l accordingly sought and
interview.
We naturally talked first or (rather
did, about the phenomenal records at
long distances for which Mr.. Shorthand
has made himself also famous. / sup
pose you undergo q special course of
training?n | asked.
"No I get no time for that You see,
cycling IS not the only thing that engag
es my attention, and consequently get
very few opportunities of riding"
But. surely, before you enter upon a
twenty-four hours race you make some
preparatlon?"
II get what little riding 1 can; but
beyond that | content myself simply
with fairly rational mode of living"
Perhaps you even smoke and drink
then?" | inquired.
"Such is my depraved taste.
DO these terribly long. rides entail
much physical eXhaustiong"
So T ,y1%
effects from them. or perhaps l should
not be SO fond of trying them. AS it is,
l can safely say that am as fresh in the
last hour as at the end of the first six. F"
But am I to understand that you
positively enjoy these tasks"
81 certainly shouldn't perform them
if didn't. am fond Of riding, you
know"
at cannot be denied,"I remarked,
THAT to ride continuously for twenty
-four hours is a severe trial to man.
strength. Have you any fear that it is
likely to do you any harm?"
can only say that should stop at
once if [ felt l was OVERRIDING it.,
wouldn't ride to a finish for anybody or
any thing if l thought ] was injuring
myself. And as to any future effects
well, fancy there is nothing to fear on
that score or I should have felt some
taing of them already"
We next turned our attention to ma
chimes, and | showed some curiosity to
know whether it was probable that, they
would be built still lighter and faster
than atssthe present day. The recent show
at the Crystal Palace seemed to indicate,
I suggested, that little improvement in
that direction could be effected.
:" I think you are right" Mr.. Shorthand
replied. Experiments have been tried
with aluminium to try and get lighter
frame, but they were not successful.
We cannot hope to get reliable machine
down below twenty pounds, and" he
added, " 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, believe"
ITO get the mile down to two minutes
would be a great performance, Mr..
Shorthand; do you think we are likely to
see it?"
"Not in the immediate furture-not
next season, believe. 1t will very likely
come about some time or other, but
expected to do it,"
What do you suppose Cortis-the
champion of his time-could have done
on first class Humber of today?"
Much the same as some of our best
men are doing now. He was equal to
them, no doubt; but [ shouldn't like to
say he was any BETTER 1t is not very
easy to judge. as machines have changed
SO practically since his time; but there is
no doubt he could have made some good
time on machines as we now know
them"
Zone more question, Mr.. Shorthand, if
I may. When you next start for the
Cuca cup do you think you will be able
to manage $50 miles in the twenty-four
hours?n
Pardonable modesty caused him to
hesitate before giving a direct answer;
but he finally "didn't see why he
shouldn't, given conditions which were
not unfavorable.
And quite believe it, for happen to
know that the limit of this fine athletes
pluck and endurance has not yet been
reached. Where would the record be,
I.wonder, if he trained andsgot thoroughly
'ft?" One can only guess. l tried to
get Mr.Shoreland to, but he wouldn't
ST. James Gazette.