The evening times., 1896-03-16
BIKES | FlD IN GREECE
Oistrusted at First, They Are
Now Popular With Greeks.
AMERICANS ON TIE WAY
Will Participate in Olympian Games
at Athens Next MOnth-COnsul HOr-
ton Tells of the Progress of the
Wheel and Thinks 1t VIII Con-
tinue to Grow In Favor.

The revival Of the Olympic games in April
at Athens after lapse OF 800 years, un
der the patronage of the King OF Greece
is exciting the attention OF the athletic
world. There will be French, German,
English, Russian and American collegiates
among the contestants, and athletes ard
bicyclists are looking for fresh laurels, or
strictly speaking, to receiving the garland
of Wild olives, which is the C.d-time badge
OF victory. The classic models OF Greek
heroes are being carefully scrutinized ard
compared as to muscular Development on
account of this revival.
According to legend embodied in an
ode by Pirdar, the Olympian games were
Instituted by Hercules to commemorate
his conquest of Ellis and slaughter OF its
king. Hercules was the patron OF ancient
athletics. The feats Of the ancient heroes
have come down to us, even to heir names,
in an almost uDbrOken record, from the year
116 b. c. to twelve centuries later, when
games were abolished by Emperor Theo-
dosius.
1t remains TO be seen whether Amerl-
can heroes equal those of past ages in
deeds of prowess. The variety of ath-
letic contests at this revival will be
greater than in the olden days, for great
strides have been made and the bicycle
races have been added to the list In
ancient times the conqueror in foot race
was accorded the greatest honors.
AMERICANS GOING TO ATHENS.
Some of the bicycle racers who will COM
pete in the races left New York last week
under Trainer Thomas Eek. He will have
five speedy riders, all Of whom will COM
pete in the current races which will be
held shortly in Europe. Ray Mcdonald,
with n record of O:o9 for half mile, and
A. johnson, brother of John s. johnson,
will compete In the Olympian bicycle
races Many noted English cyclists are
expected to compete.
The Greeks have taken up the bicycle,
according to the report of the American
consul at Athens, who calls attention TO the
chance American manufacturers have Of
disposing of their products. He says:
There are about 400 bicycles in Athens,
mostly of English make, Raleigh and Quad
rant styles being preferred. The average
prices at which wheels sell here is S7S.65.
average weight twenty-six pounds. The
character of the roads makes lighter ma ke
impracticable. unless they are high grade.
"The history of the bicycle in Greece is
interesting. Thefirst machine was brought
here many years go by the king. Itwasof
the variety known as 'boneshaker.' His
ma iesty did not appear in public. as bicycles
were regarded by the natives as supernat-
ural and uncanny.
PIONEERS OF THE WHEEL.
subjected to many Inconvenience and even
dangers. They were hooted a nd laugbedat.
and were sometimes stoned and tumbled
from their wheels. At the present day the
rutic generally crosses himself and utters
prayer when bicycle pases him.
bicycling may be said to have COM
meuced here in earnest about eight years
ago, with the founding of several clubs
and the adoption OF the wheel rs an amuse-
ment by leading Greeks. 1t is safe TO pre-
dict a craze in the near future, as the royal
family and many leading diplomats are en-
thusiasts. The crown prince, and the Eng
lish, American and German ministers. among
others, may be seen on the streets daily
mounted upon wheels. Such leadership
has more weight in Greece than il would
have in America.
Last year one of the dealers here brought
over five wheels of a celebrated American
type from New York. He had no diff
Guilty in selling them Immediately at goo
drachmas apiece. They were lighter than
the English makes ordinarily used here, and
very much admired. No attempt has since
been made by American makers to place
wheels in Athens.
MANY agreeable excursions can be
made with the wheel, among them from
Athens to Pbalerum, to the Piereus, TO
the kings property at Tutoi, 10 Mara
thom. to Thebes and other places. Many
long trips are possible; for example, there
is magnificent road skirting the sea all
the way to Corinth. After stopping
day or two there to visit the ancient
Acropolis. one may continue the journey
to Nauplia, the capital of Greece under
Otho, Ia king in the ruins of Mycenae, Argos
and Tyreus on the way. The scenery Of
such trip is magnificent beyond descrip-
tion, and the points touched are of sur
passing historical interest. The climate is
and dry season, SO that one kCows before
starting what weather to expect"
The revival of the Olympian games, which
occurs in April, will include bicycle races,
and Consul Horton thinks American wheel
makers would find it advantageous to have
4 representative present.
Rich Conl Vein Discovered