The San Francisco call., 1896-02-15
THE WHE ELMEN.


Associated Clubs Next Saturday.
The one event upon which the interest
of all wheelmen is now centered is the
fourth annual 25-mile handicap road race
of the California Associated Cycling Club,
which will be held next Saturday, Wash
ington's birthday, starting at 10 A. NJ.
The San Leandro triangular course will
be the scene of the race. From a specta-
tors point of view this is the best located
course for road racing in the State. 1t is
necessary for the riders to encircle the tri-
angle three times to complete twenty-five
miles, and it is thus possible to witness the
start, see the riders pass a given point
twice, and then be at the finish. For this
reason the annual 25-mile race has always
attracted large crowds of spectators.
If the present fair weather continues,
the roads will be in splendid condition on
the day of the race. The riders are train
ing over it now every day. and say that
the triangle was never better. Last year
the race had to be postponed two weeks on
account OF rain, but the men kept up their
training indoors so that the race was lust
as fast and interesting as if it had been
run off on the day it IS usually held, Feb
Tuary %.
George II. Stratton. chairman of the
road racing and records committee of the
associated clubs, SAYS that there will be
more entries and better prize list for the
race this year than ever before. The first
prize will be a high grade bicycle, and
there is also club cup TO be contested for.
The entries for the event will close Mon
day, February H. and must be IN the
hands of Mr.. Stratton on that day or they
Wi! not be accepted. The handicapping
will be done by Il. a. Smvth, the most
efficient and conscientious Handicapped on
the coast.
Lieutenant Caldwell, in the absence of
Captain Plummer, who is in Oregon, has
called run of the Bav City Wneelmen
for tomorrow TO Haywards. 1t is the first
run OF the club this year, and a large
crowd is expected. Even such slow but
sure riders as Wetmore, Marshal, How
ard, Judge Dunno, Walters, Ready, Rhys,
Bent and Toepke have agreed to go along,
as the ride will be easy and they can get
back without taking the train. The run
will leave on the 8 O'Clock creek-route
boat.
IAN exchange says that the rational gar
ment to. be adopted largely by. wheel
women the coming season will consist of a
skirt to the knees, bloomers and
leggings. Inasmuch as there is q
strong disinchnation on the part OF
women to wear a garment that is
so conspicuous as the bloomer, they have
settled on the short skirt as the proper
wheel costume.
Captain Luce has called a run of the Jr.
o. I. A. NJ. Cyclers for tomorrow to
lngleside. The members will assemble at
the Baker-street entrance to the park at
10 A. NJ, and large turnout is expected.
bill is now before the Legislature OF
New York State, which provides for law
compelling railroad corporations to carry
bicycles free as part or a travellers S bag
gage. 1t Is step in the right direction,
as the railroads should not impose an
item OF expense on wheelman with %
pound bicycle, when other travellers are
privileged to carry 100 pounds, the form
not being specified.
John S. Egan and ]. P. Jaegling form one
OF the fastest tandem teams in the Impe-
rial Cycling Club, and that is saying con-
siderable, for there are now eleven tandems
owned in the club. They are often seen
on the road or in the park on a red wheel,
and dressed In gray suits with red sweaters
For ordinary riding the handle-bars of
your machine should be kept as nearly as
possible on a level with the saddle. This
insures an easy, comfortable seat and an
appropriate position, but of course, is not
meant to meet the requirements of
racing men. When the pedal is at the
lowest point, no matter whether the rider
may be STOPPING over or sitting up straight,
the ball OF the foot should rest on it easily.
This lnsures the proper ankle motion
saves unnecessary exertion and fatigue
The members of the San Francisco Road
Clup will ride to San Leandro tomorrow
and speed round the triangle. After lunch
they will ride to Lake Chabot. Members
will assem- BILE at the clubhouse at 80 A. NJ.
NJ. A. Farnsworth, a crack rider from
Denver has joined this club, as he expects
TO permanently reside here.
The action OF the National Assembly of
the League OF American Wheelmen at
Baltimore this past week in abolishing
class entirely, and declaring two classes
only, pure amateurs and professionals, is
such startling and radical change that
the racing en- here are ali at sea--they
don't know which way to turn. The rules
Will now be the same as they were two
years ago, but the amateur line will be
drawn tighter than ever and the leagne
hopes by supporting and keeping careful
eye on professional racing to make il
popular with the public. II remains to be
seen what the result will be. The record
breaking teams at Santa Monica and
Coronado will have TO disband probably
as they are all class b men, and though
they are given the privilege of going back
into pure amateurism, or what was known
as class A, they cannot then accent en-
ployment from, bicy Gle companies or ex-
pense money or remuneration of any
kind.
The record table is also sadly affected
All those beautiful class B records, made
in competition against time, hving and
standing start, paced and unpaced, on all
sizes of tracks and under various condi-
tions, will be dropped.
If The League of, American Wheelmen
can satisfactorily control professional
racing, and it will probably lind the way
to do so, it is more than likely that most
of the 537 class men in the United States
will go into the professional ranks and
race for CASH prizes. Those who have
made living out OF the sport under the
old class B rules will have to do SO or seek
some other employment, as nothing of the
kind will be permitted in new amateurism
The Liberty Cycling Club will ride to
Centerville tomorrow, taking the A. NJ
broad gauge boat. Frank Kelly, William
Rohrer, J. Hole, II. Goertzhain, George
Thackeray and 4. P. Waite have been
elected to membership recently. The club
will hold its fourth social hop IN April.
n. A. Robinson has charge of the arrange
ments for the clubs relay team, and seye-