The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-10-09

and he instantly said: "The wheel will
stand it all right, but I will wager $10C
that you can't. You are too heavy
My weight was 21o pounds, but l did
not think that that would in any way
interfere with my making 800 miles in
"a hours or less and subsequent events
showed that was right.
Being an amateur l could not accept
the 500 wager, but friend of mine did
and I agreed to make the attempt.
1t was agreed that the first clear day
when there was a full moon at night,
should be chosen for the attempt, the
course to be part of the Century Wheel
mems South Jersey Century course.
Another stipulation was that there
should be no training for the run. On
the 25th of July we went to Vineland,
N. j., where we were to make our head
quarters. The condition Of the weather
and the roads was not, In any respect,
what could be desired, but decided to
make the start hoping that the mud on
the roads would dry and the wind which
was blowing gale would go down.
L NglFc anu Out-lull llillcS WIFI
hred north and south of Vineland, max
Ing straight run of 25 miles with so
for the round trip. It was agreed that
should have a fresh pace-maker at each
IS miles and in case of accident to my
,wn wheel / was to take his. This,
however proved an unnecessary precau-
lion, as my wheel stood the run in ex-
;ellent shape and was as good at the
6nish as it was at the start.
The start was made at $3.50 o'clock
III the morning of July 25. The first
lew miles were made in much slower
lime than l anticipated owing to the
heavy condition of the roads. The
strong wind also was against me, but
leci5ed to keep on. and at $3.50 o'clock
| the afternoon, or seven hours after
| starting, I had covered my first CEN
ury.
Early in the day received number
| # falls, owing to the bad condition of
| The roads. At the end sof the first 100
| niles | did not feel at all fatigued.
discarded the wet sponge which so
many long distance riders use to strap
| over their nostrils and mouth when rid
ing and in place of it kept cough tab
| let in my mouth constantly.
There were q number of side paths
md sandy places on the road which
made it bad riding, particularly after
lark. In consequence of one Of these
bad places, got tumble which gave
ne sprained knee. This was very
troublesome to me during the rest Of
he run.
Another fall was due to the curiosity
If a raccoon which was so intent upon
watching us spin along the narrow road
that he forgot to get out of the way
I was so near him that did not notice
the animal until it was too late to turn
out, and over him went, taking beau.
tiful tumble and, | am quite sure, max,
ing his ribs ache. The animal popula,
ton of that section of Jersey seemed
to take q great interest in the run, for
hardly had ! recovered from the shock
and the surprise given me by the coon,
when | was treated to another tumble,
but this time by quail which flew
against my front wheel.
At 1880 o'clock | had finished my
second century, having made it in eight
hours, which call pretty fair work
considering my injured knee.
The actual time we were away from
the hotel in Vineland, was 81 hours and
seven minutes. Two hours were occu-
pied with eating and delays.
When the run was finished l was'well
rubbed down and given a bath. slept
two hours and then awolee without any
aches or pains nor have felt any since
The adverse conditions under which
made the run being considered, H.
well satisfied with it. 1t is now Eiy am
bition to break the worlds 24-hour rec.
ord of $50 miles which is held by ar
Englshman. Under favorable condi
tions I believe | can do this, and besides
holding such record. it will be pleas
ure TO me from the fact that | am Lot &
racing man. but simply ride for pleas
ure.