The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-12

ter that 1t should be a pound or two above
the minimum apd be possessed of sufficient
rigidity. to-, sta nd 1tfle-, enormous strain to
which II Is subjected while taking the
not trust myself on a wheel weighing less
than nineteen or twenty pounds In the
hurly-burly of a race, where have to risk
life and limb. The rigidity of the frame,
too, is a great advantage to the rider. as it
affords him a return for every ounce of
energy expended, which is not the case in
of tool steel and a perfectly fitting chain
are OF course essentials.
THE PACEMAKER
Supposing a rider to be perfectly fitted
with wheel and supplied with good man
to shove him over the tape, what must he
do to stand chance of winning the race
AS rule he knows pretty well what stuff
his competitors are made of, and so he
determines in his mind who among them
are likely to prove his most formidable op-
ponents. With the crack of the pistol the
fight for position begins. With a big field
it is unwise for the outside riders to at
tempt to get the pole too soon. as bad
spills may result. But the good rider keeps
one eye on the pole and the other on his
most formidable competitor, or at least the
one he hopes to beat, and endeavors TO lie
up close behind him in the attempt to make
him set the pace. This is the proper course
where the spacemaking is not divided or
where single riders are not put IN for the
purpose. which ] believe to be the best
form of pacemalxing extant. The single
rider does not give the fortunate individual
next him so much advantage over the
others as a tandem pacemaker, and makes
the race more even at the finish, whore it
is usually fought out. Most of the races
in which / was successful last season were
paced races, the majority being the mile
open, which Is usually the race of the meet.
After the riders have mutually forced
some one into setting the pace, the man who
has his eye on the prize should work hard
to keep with the front push, not abreast.
but about second third. where he again
a position TO pull out at the last quarter,
where the real work of the race begins.
II the distance is a mile. He must keen a
sharp lookout to see that some rider does
not make jump TO leave the push before
he can get under way and catch him.
Now comes the tug. Any ordinary rider
Will have hung on up to this point. but
here skill and strength. quickness of brain
and Quickness Of muscle are necessarily COM
bined to- ACCOMPLISH the desired result. AS
the riders round the curve and come down
into the stretch. our race winners mind
must be on the alert while his legs are
working like a set of automatic piston rods.
He must not overestimate his ability a
sprint. but nicely calculate just how much
distance will be required in the Last few
yards for him to come up with and pass his
foremost competitor
At last the critical moment arrives. The
rider has come to the point where the great
exertion of the race must be put forth. He
ducks his head and puts twice his weight
wheel weaves from side to side under the
tremendous strain it is undergoing. The
tape and victory are just ahead, the confused
sound of shouts from a thousand Threats
over the ribbon like some mighty human
projectile, and the race Is won!