The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-12
HOW TO RIDE A RACE
CHAMPION EDDIE BALD GIVES vALU-
ABLE POINTS TO CYCLISTS.
Mistakes of Many Riders In Not Being
Perfectly Fitted to Their Wheels
The Final Squirt.


Eddie Bald, in New York Journal.
There are as many theories of the proper
way 10 ride race to win as there are kinds
of trees" In a schoolboy's first composition
"a great many" Every individual rider
knows the method by which he achieves
success, and many of them, especially those
who have not had the advantage of expert
enced trainers. have little idea why certain
plans of action, even in their own cases,
accomplish the desired results. So when any
one attempts to set down rules calculated
to guide the novice at bicycle racing in the
way to make the most of his ability, he
must expect to meet criticism from hun
dred riders, each of whom holds his plan
the best and surest to bring success in track
competition.
Nevertheless, there are certain rules upon
which a majority Of the best trainers are
agreed, though even these grave and rev.
erened segnors are likely to differ upon
many points. Take, for instance, the push
off, the very first thing that contributes to
success or failure in a track competition. In
my opinion Asa Windle has the best system
of any trainer have ever known of launch
ing his man into race. Standing with his
left foot on the tape (the trainer is forbid
den by the rules 20 step over iD, he holds
the handle bars of the riders wheel firmly
with his left hand and the saddle with the
right. Exactly with the pistol. losing not q
single instant. he gives a mighty pull, and
before the momentum acquired by this
movement has had time>to slacken. follows
1t ND with generous shove with his right
against the rear of his already wel-started
riders saddle. A great many trainers simply
shove their men over the tape, but Windle's
Is certainly the superior. plan. 1t gives the
rider a couple of yards advantage at the
start and affords him a superior chance in
the struggle for position that Immediately
ensues. Asa's combined pull and push is
an untold boon to the rider whom he starts
in race.
FIT YOUR WHEEL PERFECTLY.
Before getting up to ride in a race the rider
must see that he is perfectly fitted with his
wheel. have seen racing men riding with
their saddles so high that only the ball of
the foot rested comfortably on the pedal.
The result was that on the downward stroke
there was no spring, the muscle being
stretched to its fullest extent. The liveliest
gate is one in which there is always a slight
degree Of reserve force. This may be pro-
vided for by adjusting the saddle so that
the heel will rest comfortably on the pedal.
which will allow the proper swing Cor the
toe-cip, though this. Of course, is largely
matter of taste.
The drop crank hanger. which is increas-
ing largely in favor with racing men, has
many advantages. One of these. which per-
haps is oftenest quoted. is that the chain
runs down hill. Whether this is a real or
imaginary aid to speed-producing must be
left to individual opinion. There is advan-
tage. however, in the fact that the riders
center Of gravity is near the ground which
Is a decided help in taking the curves at a
rapid pace. About two and one-half inches
is the proper drop. If it goes lower there is
liable to be danger the curves where the
oax to-
should be shown: Indeed, many good riders
got bad falls while this Improvement was
being experimental with. AT Battle Creek
last season Titus got terrible spill in this
he was going around a sharp curve. But un-
less the hanger Is too low. there is no danger
from this source. In paced race the uer-
it's Of the drop hanger are very noticeabIe
i permits the rider, sitting low In his sad
die, mach fuller protection, and leaves the
unfortunate who sits high to encounter All
the resistance OF the air. IS he is not 30 wen
shielded. = -
DO not place too much confidence IN the
extreme hghtnees Of your mount Far bet