The San Francisco call., 1896-01-18
THE WHEELMEN.
Bay City's EuChre Party Stori es
About Trainer Shafer.

bicycle clubs for tomorrow. no roadraces,
tryouts centuries; absolutely nothing.
The country roads are said to be several
inches deep with mud, and even the park
roads will not be sufficiently dry to make
riding enjoyable, even if it should not rain
any more to-day or tomorrow. So there
is little for the club cycler to do but go to
his clubhouse and entertain himself in
bicycle surroundings, even which the un-
attached rider cannot enjoy.
But while actual riding is impracticable
there is no inactivity in cycling matters.
The membership committee OF the league
is continuing Its visits and getting en-
couragement everywhere. There is a
proposition on foot to conduct an indoor
tournament at the Pavilion early in
February. Club entertainments are being
held with regularity, and altogether there
is nothing 10 indicate that the cycling
season has ceased except the fact that the
wheelmen are temporarily deb AIRED from
riding.
There will be a meet ing at the Olympic
Club this evening of the several bicycle
clubs interested in the proposed wheel
mems baseball league. 1t is likely that all
the big local clubs will enter teams except
the Bay City Wheelmen. As it seemed
somewhat strange to me that they should
hold out asked President kerrigan again
yesterday the reason. He replied some
what curtly;
Don't you come talking baseball around
our clubhouse or there'u be trouble. We
have but one object in view, and that is to
win the 1896 relay race and as many as
possible OF the prizes in the TWENTY-FIVE
mile road race in February. We can't ex-
pect TO do this and play baseball. Suppose
we formed a team; we would have to play
such men as the Terrills. Wells, Tommy
Hall, Dodge, Hawks, Reid, Menne-in fact
some of our best racing men. Ii they were
q success at baseball their racing condition
would suffer. This is bicycle club, and
al such an important time of the year we
have no use for outside sports. Let others
play ball, and Wen do the racing. Per-
sonally l might almost say l would like to
see this wheelmen's ball league organized,
for Just so sure as ii is, it will dissipate the
energies OF the men toward bicycle racing
and our path will be so much the easier"
The secretary of the California Cycling
Club has issued the following notice:
On Monday evening, January 20, the board
of officers OF the North California Division, l..
A. W, will visit the club for the purpose of ex-
planning the aims and objects OF the learne
You are requested TO be present TO assist in
giving these officials reception, such as will
be in keeping with the name of the club. You
cannot spend an evening to better advantage
THOMAS WALL, Recording Secretary.
Gradually a sentiment that was directed
against the future and maintenance of
class b is working around in favor of this
class of racing men. The facts concerning
the class, ana the conclusive proofs which
abound everywhere that il must be con-
tinued II the sport would live, are becom-
ing more ana more the subject of COM
ment among the people who are directly
interested.
Amateurism will ever be supported, for
for he > ~.
was created. They have every right to
ask protection, and the L. A. W. will see
that they get it. But should the National
assembly see MT TO discontinue class B. it
Will make the future lot of the amateur a
hard and trying one. In many cases
amateurs unwillfully violate sections of the
racing rules, for which they are punished
There is no recourse once the racing board
sets Its ban upon the amateur. He has to
ride among the men who are paid to ride
and ride fast, too. Many riders are thus
discouraged and com PEELED to retire from
the path.
Suppose amateur and professional classes
existed, as 1t Is the intention of some
L. a. w. legislators that these classes shall
exist. The amateur who put himself under
suspicion would be liable to suspension or
be transferred at the least. There would
be no avenue open to him by which he
could ride as an amateur, and a profess
sional he must become or give up his
cycling g-racing aspirations. But with a
class known as the B class there is a
chance for every class a man.
With the prospect that many riders
Will go into professionalism this year, the
ranks of the b s viii be thinned out, and
the faster riders will compete for gold
Then the eX-amateur can see that he
stands show by going into class B. He
will train and compete accordingly. But
should it be question of riding as pro-
= Cr1U ha
would be many riders who would renounce
their determinations of becoming racing
men. Thus it may be seen that class for
the surplus pure-amateur material is of
vital importance.
If the delegates to the National assem-
bly, at Baltimore in February will argue
this question from unbiased points of view,
the continuance of class will seem even
more plausible.
The bicycle has done innumerable good
things Tor every one; rich and poor, proud
and humble of both sexes alike are getting
the beneficial results of the glorious sport,
and although perhaps one of the least
noticed reforms that have taken place on
account OF the bicycle, yet one Of the
greatest, is this very thing the doing away
with corsets and tight lacing. This means
for women that though the waist NAV be
larger the lungs will be fuller, and the
whole system will be improved and given
an opportunity to glory III the fountain of
health.
Corsets, in retarding the full power of
the lungs, naturally prevent them from
performing the duties required and thus
breed consumption, disease and death,
The new benefits to be derived from cycling
are appearing from day to day and everv
woman in the land would possess a
machine did she but know of this one
great benefit.
Captain Williams has been obliged to
resign his position in the San Francisco
Road Club, as he could not find sufficient
time from his business to give II proper
attention. VIII l. Pixley, an old-time
wheelman of this City, who was at one
time captain of the old San Francisco
Bicycle Club. long since defunct, has been
elected to the vacancy. The coincidence
is amusing and is giving added interest, as
the Road Club is now located next door to
where the San Francisco Bicycle Club
was before it finally gave up the ghost,
selling out its furnishings to the Bay City
Wheelmen.
George Hamlin, F. Thiel, n. Alderman,
E. Elliott, r. Robinson and H. Fried
lander of the Road Club will ride in the
Associated Clubs 25-mile road race in Feb
FuarV and will com m aDCp fraipinn coor