The morning times., 1896-09-20
A DAYS RIDE OF 900 MILES.
c. w. w-nsei Tells How He Per
formed This Feat.
CoDyrlyhl 1861


Century bicycle runs must in future be.
looked upon merely ordinary perform
ances G. w Wensel, of Philadelphia.
has Just succeeded in crowding three OF
these huUdred-niie runs into a single day.
His is phenomenal run, and yet he be-
lieves ne can do better. or his perform
ance he has written follows:
For long time have had desire to
cover 800 miles in twcnty-four hours. but,
like many other occurrences. the compile
ton OF the work was brought about through
what might be termed an accident.
One evening. after having in company
covered 115 miles. we werr discussing
long runs in general. and our own in par
ticular. My friends were pretty we'll ex-
hausted. but 1 did not feel at all tired;
and said: .'Some dag 1 will ride 300
miles, or a triple century. for exercise, pro-
vided my wheel will stand it,
The agent of the firm from which
bought my wheel overheard the remark.
and lie instantly said: The wheel will
stand it all right, but ! will wager 500
that You can't. You are too heavy"
My weight was 21O pounds, but did not
think that would in any way interfere
with my making 800 miles in "a hours
or less, and subsequent events showed that
/ was right.
Being an amateur / could not accept
the 500 wager, but a friend of mine did
and agreed to make the attempt.
1t was agreed that the lirst clear day
when there was a full moon at night
should be chosen for the attempt, the
course To be part of the Century Wheel
mems South Jersey Century course. An
other stipulation was that there should
be no training for the run. on the 25th
day of July we Went to Vineland, y. j.,
where We Were to make our headquarters.
The condition of the weather and the roads
was not, in any respect, what conld lie
desired, but L decided to make the start
hoping that the mud on the roads would
dry and the wind which was blowing a
gale, would 90 down.
Twelve and oDe-half miles were meas
ured north and south of Vineland, making
a straight run OF twenty-five miles, with
fifty for the round trip. 1t was agreed
that 1 should have fresh pace maker at
each twenty-five miles, and in case of
accident to my own wheel l was to take
his. This, however, proved an uDueces-
sary precaution, as my wheel stood the
run in excellent shape and was as good
at the finish as it was at the start.
The start was made at $40 O'Clock in
the morning of July 20. The first few
miles were made i'll much slower time
than 1 anticipated. owing to the heavy
condition of the roads. The strong wind
also, was against me, but l decided to
keep on. and at $50 o'clock in the after
noon. or seven hours after starting, 1 had
covered my first century.
Early in the day / received a number
of falls, owing to the bad condition of
the roads AT the end of the first one
hundred miles 1 did not feel at all IA
tigued. l discarded the wet sponge
which so many long distance riders use
to strap over their nostrils and mouth
when riding and in place of it kept a
cough tablet in my mouth constantly.
There were number OF side paths and
sandy places ON the road, which made it
bad riding, particularly after dark. In
consequence of one of these bad places
got tumble which gave me sprained
knee. This was very troublesome to me
during the rest of the run.
Another fall was due to the curiosity
of q raccoOn which was SO intent upon
watching US spin along the narrow road
that he forgot to get out of the way.
was So near him that did not notice
the animal until it was too late to turn
out, and over him went, taking a beauti-
full tumble. and, l am quite sure, making
his ribs ache. The animal population OF
that section of Jersey seemed to take a
great interest in the ruu, for hardly had
recovered from the shock and the sur
prise given Inc by the coon. when 1 was
treated to another tumble. but this time
by quail. which flew against my front
wheel.
At 11:3O o'clock I had finished my
second century, having made it in eight
hours, which call pretty fair Work
considering my injured knee.
The actual time We were away from
the hotel IN Vineland, was twenty-Cpc
hours and seven minutes. Two hours
were occupied with eating and delays
When the run was finished, was well
rubbed down and given a bath. I slept
two hours and then awoke without any
aches or pains. mar have felt any since
The adverse conditions undor which
made the run being considered, ! am well
satisfied with it. 1t is now my ambition
to break the worlds twenty-four hour
record OF $50 miles which is held by an
EDglishman.
c. w. zwENZEL.