The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1896-07-18


Gated. Well. 1 should think SO. There
are bicycle races and there are bicycle
races and to be able to distinguish one
from another one must not
only be rapid calculator and
mind reader and sew
eral other things. but he must be pos
sessed Of a most remarkable memory.
Since pacing has become so popular
among the racing men, things have
taken on such a complicated form that:
almost any rider who is possessed Of,
a reasonable amount Of speed, and who.
Is slightly ambitious. can, by some
combination of starting and pacing,
and fast riding break state records.
with ease, and IL he Is persevering he;
can pull down some worlds records,
unless some other fellow happens to,
strike his combination first. The idea:
of pacing is unique, but when used I'm,
connection with competition races IL
becomes a comedy and Is a temptation,
to the riders who would not be abovk
attempting to win races by other than,
fair means. II a man in a COMPETE
ton race catches the tandem and holds
II, IL the tandem riders are fast, and
he is capable Of good sprint at the
last Of the race, he Is a sure winner"
while one equally "a fast, to win the
race, would have to ride without the
aid of pacing machine. as there Is
never more than one used in a race,
or he would have to play for position
behind the first man, which gives the
latter the advantage of one length till
the very last Of the race. AS an illus
tration take for instance the two-mile
amateur event that was pulled OF
here on the 4th. Barnum was an easy
winner simply because he was lucky
in securing the position behind the
tandem. for he had a fast field to ride
against. including Ray McGreer. who
demonstrated that he was Barnum,s
equal in speed by tieing Barnum in
the mile race the day before and later
the deciding quarter-mile. He left the
track on the third lap. seeing that
there was hardly any show Of winning,
as Barnum never fell back far enough
to enable anyone to cut in for the tan
dem. 1t can hardly be said that he
was winded, as he only rode three laps.
The two-mile, professional race may
also be cited as an instance. In this
race, Frederickson, seeing that Pixley
had kind Of a snap with the tandem.
attempted to ride around and take II
easy awhile himself. He succeeded in
throwing everyone but himself and
Maxwell, and was disqualified. Max
well became ratified and fell. leaving
the Terrible alone on the track. who
finished coolly as IL nothing had hap
pened. Such things happen in unpaced
events. but not so often. Men have
been known to enter races hired by
either trainers or principles to throw
all men possible provided 1t lessened
the chances Of defeat Of the one de-
termined upon, being paid so much
throw. The most confusing part, how
ever, to the average person Is the ap-
parent ease with which the records are
broken. The announcemnt Of a new
state record Is such a common occur
ance that 1t hardly ever meets with
anything more than momentary con-
sheraton. Records are recorded on
about 200 different kinds Of races. and
II is hardly surprising that some peo-
pie have to be educated in the man
ly art Of bicycle riding"
Hastings Is out of the form and Henry
Of Navarro is in the hands Of a veter-
marian. The latter. after winning the
Suburban handicap at Gravesend won
one or two races. but Is now lame.
1t looks as IL the stable which Mr.. Bel
mont will send to England next fall
may not be so strong after all.
1t looks as IL there would be a visit
from several Of the foreign cracks to
this side for the larger fan bicycle race
meets: The visits Of foreigners have
rarely been profitable, but 1t Is likely
that Tom Eek. during his visit. has
told them Of the chances Of making
fat profits under his management. and
those who come across are likely, to
put Themselves in his charge, The
amount which they, will receive. will
depend. largely upon ,Eck's ability to
work the various race promoters on the
fan circuit, and as. he has had con-
siderable experience in securing spe-
cial sums for the. appearance Of John
son. it Is probable that he can secure
a number of good engagements for
them. While there will. of course. be
considerable curiosity to see: the fast:
French: RECORD breakers on our own
tracks and 10 competition with our
own. men,. thss result y net atksly 10. .hs