Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-30
CHICAGO ROAD RACE.
It's Finish Witnessed by an Immense
Throng,

CHICAGO. May 30.-The Chicago road
lace. the successor of the historic Pullman
bicycle event, was run over the new North
Side course today, the finish being witnessed
by an immense throng of enthusiastic Spec
tators
Fred Rau. winner of the race, crossed
the lire at IL ;05 am. making the time 57m
los. his handicap being I'm. 30s.
The race was for the first time run from
point on the lake shore drive. opposite
the Grant monument in Lincoln Park north
to Evanston, and back to the starting point
distance of something over eighteen miles
and, while II was trifte longer, and con-
tained more bad turns than the Pullman
course, II was much the superior of the old
route as TO footing. The hour of starting
was fixed at 10 O'Clock, and long before the
time arrived the driveways and footpaths
OF Lincoln Park were thronged with specta-
tors. Persons in carriages. tally-ho park
phaetons, wheelmen and pedestrians were
clustered about the imposing monument and
gathered on the granite beach to cheer the
finish.
There were 416 entries, and over 800 con-
testants lined UP when the hour arrived
The veteran wheelman, n. H. Van Sicklen,
ofhciated as starter, and promptly at the
stroke of 10 the limit man was started
twelve minutes ahead of the scratch As the
first man left the mark, and, bending over
his frail steed, punched his pedals straight
away for Evanston, he was greeted with a
rousing cheer, and was soon skirting the
lake rorthward at terrific pace.
AS soon as the limit man was of, the
others followed in quick succession start
ing in twos and threes and punches, ac-
cording to their handicaps. Five cracks
were billed for the scratch, j. p. Bliss.
Herbert Citizen, George X. Barrett. H. X.
Winship and A. L. Lumsden, but OF these
only the three latter were on hand As lbev
left the mark amid lusty cheers and sped
away after the leaders, carriages and bi.
cycles swung into line and followed at a
rafting gait to view the first few miles
of the contest.
The course had been cleared by the po,ice
and the racers had full swing in their hot
ride for cycling glory. There was but one
bad place in the route, the crossing of the
st. Paul railroad tracks. and there some of
the riders were badly delayed, but the
majority crossed free from the obstruction
OF passing trains and swinging gates The
value OF the prizes given to the success
full riders exceeded $500, including cups,
bicycles and trophies. AS the riders van
ished the waiting crowd speculated freely on
the outcome and expressions of opinion
were freely backed with money. c. l. Dasey,
q. l.. Emerson, c. H. Peck and Gus Steele
were each played heavily for first place
and the scratch men were all well backed
for the time prize.
The objections that had been raised 70
the changing of the course from Pullman
had all disappeared before the start and
the number of contestants today was larger
than at any previous day since the deco.
| ration day event was inaugurated
At the Belmont avenue turn there was a
collision between three Of the riders All of
whom were thrown violently to the ground,
| These were Z. c. G. Touch, W. H Gross
| ard William Holmes. Touch jumped easi-
| ly to his feet and remounting started on
his way with vigor Gross with a h3O-yard
| handicap and Holmes with a five-minutes
| handicap were disabled. Their machines
were broken and both the riders badly
| bruised. and they lmped off the course,
| Touch had six-minutes handicap. and
! was making good show when he lost
| ground.