Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-07
HONEST WHEELING
VI
salutary Action Taken in Regard to
Recent Raeiing.
II ST
CLUB men INSIST ON FAIRNESS
Recent Happenings Among the
Washington Cyclists. .
THE MILITARY RELAY RIDE
THE MILITARY RELAY RIDE

1t seems to be a strange fact that in the
last two road races of the local wheelmen
crooked racing has crept in, and almost
ruined the sport. If this sort of racing is
Kept up 1t will do more to ruin the sport
than all of the other defects and draw
lacks combined, and it is the duty of those
VINO project such races next season to
scrutinfze the entry blanks when received
and reject all those riders who have been
guilty of unfair riding. 1t has only been
this season that this kind Of racing has
become nuisance. The prompt and rad
ical action of the judges in the Dupont
read race, in regard to pacing, appears to
have had a salutary effect, and 1t is hoped
that the same effect will be reached by the
conclusion of the judges in the Thanks
giving day race. To prevent pacing In the
future umpires should be stationed at in
tervals along the route and to prevent
recurrence Of the foul riding in the last
road race, the scheme should be adopted
which has been introduced in Chicago. 1t
Is this: Each racer should have an extra
number, printed on cardboard, and In max
ing the turn every man should be obliged
to tear the number from his racing shirt
and throw 1t to the ground, where the
checkers can pick it up.
Rhodes and Thompson's Case.
ne ueciSiOH Oh the Judges III
ing ]. H. Rhodes and F. G. Thompson
meets with the approval Of all wheelmen.
The judges convened last Saturday even
ing, and in anticipation of hearing some
thing startling large representation of
wheelmen attended the trial. Thompson
failed to appear at the meeting, and he
had admitted to several people, according
to witnesses, that he did not cover the
course. Testimony was to the effect that
he rode to the bottom of STONY hill" and
entered the Palisades Hotel, remaining
there for some time, and after skirmiShing
around rode In to the finish at good
speed. BY this manner. according to the
testimony, he rode no more than FIVE miles
out of the twenty.
Rhodes was present at the trial to defend
himself and, as he said, to vindicate his
character. There were about fifteen riders
summoned witnesses. with some of
whom the accused was acquainted. Dressed
In red trousers, with a black sweater, his
gaunt form and face decorated with a
goatee and mustache. Rhodes was con-
spicuous figure in the race, and therefore
easily recognized. He had a smaShup at
the DEVILS Elbow and, rode thirty-four-
pound wheel, siXty-tfrfte gear. changing
near the finish. making three wheels rid
den by him. Several riders testified to
passing him at the elbow at the time of
his collision, while others gave the remarks
made by Rhodes as they passed him on
the upward ride.
One rider stated that he saw Rhodes just
a quarter of a mile ahead of him on the
level stretch above the elbow, and bending
down on his handle bars he spurted to
overtake him. When he looked up again
he was surprised to see Rhodes pedaling to-
ward him.
Rhodes Claim.
On his own behalf Rhodes denied every
thing in toto and he vehementIy claimed
that he rode the course. He had no re-
me mbrance of making any remarks to the
riders except one, and that was when he
had made the turn and was fully a mile
on the return trip. The rider to whom
he made the remark was called in, and he
stated that he met Rhodes fully two miles
from the turn and he was then off his
Wheel standing by the roadside, with his
wheel headed toward the turning point.
This rider Ball. By the testimony of
one of Rhodes witnesses it was found that
Ball passed the scene of the misnap less
tran two minutes after the occurrence.
With only this start it would have been
impossible for Rhodes to have met Ball
two miles, or even one mile. from the turn
ing point. the latter distance being equal to
lead of two miles.
The trial lasted fully four hours. and,
though Rhodes was given every chance to
exonerate himself, his main defense was in
his own claim. There was a preponderance
Of evidence, and there was only one course
left for the officials. After givinghim a sound
more road races in the District, his dis
qualification was announced, and Galley
given first prize and NIudd time prize. The
list of winners.a announced by the judges,
was published in The Star Tuesday.
Going Over the Course Again.
Entertaining the idea that yindication
of his course would be to demonstrate that
he could ride the course in LOO, Rhodes
made the attempt last Sunday morning. A
number of wheelmen were present to
watch the result. He did not come up to
his time, however, and the best he could do
was a fraction over four minutes above
the hour This was the exact time by the
stop watch which the timer placed in his
pocket while he and others followed the
pace set by Rhodes. When taken out the
watch had stopped, and was started again,
70 account being taken of the stoppage.
which is thought to have been at least
three minutes.
For his foul riding Thompson was sum
marly fired out of the Washington Road
Club, at it's meeting held Wednesday even
ing. After being awarded the first and
time prizes III the Dupont road race he be-
came an ardent aspirant for the club rae
ing team, but the decisive action of the
club kills all his hopes. The action of the
club shows It's determination to have only
fair sport Fortunately for himself, Rhodes
is an unattached wheelmau.
Following is the text of the resolutions
adopted regarding foul riding of the Wash
ngton Road Club: THAT we publicly de-
nounce all who willir ely, at any time d.
rectly or indirectly, aid or abet any partici-
pant in a road race in a way that is con-
strued to be foul or in direct contrariety to
the rules governing such races; that we do
hereby pledge ourselves to receive no en-
tries from those who race in manner that
would be applicable to the above resolution.
And We further agree to, individually and
collectively, use our influence toward this
end with the officials of any race given
without this organisation We do hereby
agree that should any msynber or members
of this organization at any time ride con-
trary to the above resolution. he or they
shall be expelled at The first opportunity"
The Military Relay.
Considering the creumsta nces, the recent
relay ride of the military cyclists is an ex-
tremely creditable affair, And has placed the
company in a very good light before the
eyes of the public Under, ordinary circum-
stances the time could lave been reduced
considerably, and the distance covered in
eighteen hours or less, or an average of
between thirteen aud fourteen miles an
hour. In the relay, the. distance covered
averaged but a fraction less than eleven
miles an hour For the distance there are
some individual riders In The city who could
have covered 1t in the same time. The men in
the ride, however, were not men with repu-
tatiOnS as fast riders, and on this account