The morning times., 1896-12-25
LOCAL WHEELMAN ENTERED
George Ball VIII Be in the Six
Day Race.
MANAGER PLUMMER HERE
He Says the English Team Is i'm
the Pink of Condhion-Hale Has
Not Arrived How the Men Are
Fed as They Sprint Around the
Track Other Arrivals.

The big SiX-day Observation-Disclosures race,
which will commence ON Monday next at
Convention Hall, is daily growing to be the
most absorbing topic of interest among
wheelmen both in this city and all over the
country Indeed the interest is not con.
fined to American soil, for the famous
racers who will compete hail from half
dozen European countries, and their
progress from day to day in the race viii
be watched with the kccnest interest by
their Couutrymen abroad.
Ed. Plummer, the manager OF the Eu-
ropean racers, arrived in Washington yes
terday. and at once proceeded TO inspect
Convention Hall and inquire into the yari-
ous preliminary arrangements for the race,
Mr.. Plummer did not bring Teddy Hale
with him as was expected. lie says Hale
is getting the most possible rest after the
tremendous strain of his long race in New
York. and it is hardly possible that he
will arrive until Sunday afternoon.
Mr. Plummer was formerly London
newspaper man, and it is only in recent
years that he has gone into the business
of managing racing bicyclists.
His Team in Good shape.
He says his entire team is in fine shape
and ne has no sort Of doubt but that the
present eight hour per day record viii
Toe lowered 10y a good margin.
In answer to a question as 10 Champion
Hale probable showing in the coming race.
lie expressed the opinion that some biz
surprises would be sprung on the racing
world at the conclusion Of the meet, and
also that the showing OF the various men
III New York was no criterion OF what
they may bc capable in contest such as
the approaching one will be.
In speaking of the way in which the
riders take their food during the progress
! OF the race, Mr.. Plummer gave an Interest
ing description Of the duties which fall
TO the trainers in preparing this nounsh
! ment. IL an eight-hour race rider prac-
tically goes without square meal FOR
! ten hours on a stretch, as none OF them
! would care to start in a race without allow
! ing at least two hours in which to digest
! their food.
TIE tremendous drain ON the vitality
! Of the racer must be reinforced by food of
some Kind, so it fails to the trainer to de-
| termne just what viii best answer the
purpose and in what quantities it may bc
/ served.
Manager Plummer says the principal di ct
! OF his men while on the track is composed of
oatmeal, rice, a small amount of chicken
! broth, whipped egg, cocoa, and sometimes
/ tea.
Fed as They Ride.
The way in which this is conveyed 20 the
rider is unique A small cylinder is filed
with the food, and the trainer, standing at
the edge Of the track. holds it up for tie
rider to grab as he passes swiftly by. OF
! course he may take whatever time he de
sires To finish the contents Of his cylinder
which when exhausted, is tossed back into
the ring.
Hale in his recent race in New York, rode
a wheel geared up to 90, while some OF
tie other English riders had as high as
120.
An announcement which will be very pop
ular with the local wheelmen is that q
| Washington man will he allowed TO com
pete in the big race George Ball, the well
known sprinter of the Washington ROAD
| Club, has been entered as one OF Manager
Young's American team. Mr.. Young has
had plenty OF opportunity TO observe RaIl'i
work in the long practice spins he ta'
taken with the cracks, and so much pleased
was he with his showing that he has in.
cludcd him in the list OF his entries ten
drred Manager Towers Ball is in goo,
shape and Will doubtless do himself credit
in the big sprint. he will be looked after
toy Fred Schade, who will see that he ha,
the best handling during the race.
This morning all the cracks will go III
the Conduit Road to witness the ten-mil,
road race, held by the Chain and Sprocke
Cycle Club. The English racers viii q
up on tandems, quads, and seXtettes, ant
together with the famous American racers
they will form the most notable groul
before which localriders ever competed.