The San Francisco call., 1896-01-25

on the head. 1t has adjustable handle
bars, New York tires, rat-trap pedals with
toe clips. Serial number not known.
Walter e. Sanger IS one OF the greatest
riders the world has ever produced, and
has thousands of admirers who say that
to-day ne is the peer Of any man, not even
excepting Zimmerman or Johnson lie is
OF herculean build, being over six feet tall,
and weighing 210 pounds. He comes from
Milwaukee, where his father is man OF
wealth and position. In 1893 he captured
the English championship, after having
won everything in sight over here. He
won the mile English cham pionship hand
lily at Chicago during the fair, and in the
international events there was mentioned
by the English as their champion. The
Sunday night before that wonderful week
OF racing this was mentioned to him.
mo" he said, decidedly, II will not ride
Tor England. | am an American, first,
last and always, and shall never ride under
any colors except those of the stars and
stripes" The next day he fell, thrown by
the carelessness of a novice and when
they picked him up, nearly done to death,
his chances for the week and probably the
year gone in an instant. he whispered to
his trainer: Il had rather lose my chance
as an American than win for the English" {"
Upon his return from England, says the
N1ckell Magazine, he was met at the rail-
road station in Milwaukee by an immense
crowd that blocked traffic until the train
came in. The Mayor of the city received
him, and made speech in which he said
that Milwaukee was proud of her son. A
procession was then formed and he was
| driven through the city, the streets OF
which were lined with people. Seldom
has 1T been granted to an athlete to have
his Homecoming celebrated in a manner
| that would approach SO nearly the splen.
dnrC n a trII1 h
The season of '95 saw Sanger doing verv
little work. Until September at Spring
field he had done virtually nothing. There
he started in three events, competing
against Johnson, Tyler and every pro-
fessional of note in the country, and won
them all, finishing in two of them 100 feet
ahead of the bunch. Ever since then the
knowing ones have said there was no one
living could beat Sanger. He holds the
worlds record for an unpaced mile at
200 1-5, considered remarkable, as riding
for unpaced records is the hardest work
Imaginable and seldom can man make
good time under such conditions.
Sanger lived in California early in his
life, and / may suggest that perhaps that
has had great deal to do with his re-
markable speed. The filling of his young
lungs with California ozone gave him
stamina and wind power that will never
fail, even when put to the severest test.
He lived with his parents in the
vicinity of San Leandro, and has a
brother who is now living at Napa. But
he was born and reared in Milwaukee, and
we can only claim to have had a small
share In aiding him to success. Recently
he married a very beautiful and wealthy
young lady of his native city, but will not
give up riding just at present, as he real
ICES he has only just reached his best.
The visiting committee OF the League OF
American Wheelmen called upon the Cali
fornia and Alpha cycling clubs and the
Olympic Cyclers during the past week.
The future dates of the committee are
Olympic Club Wheelmen, Tuesday, Janu-
ary IS; Liberty Cycling Club, Tuesday,
February 4; Alameda Cyolers, Friday,
February 7; Imperial Cycling Club Mon
day, February II. The committee is meet
ing with great success, and is very much
hattered at the interest created and the
attention it has received at the various
places already called upon.
The race-meeting at the Mechanics Pa
vlllon In March, as mentioned in THE CALL
Thursday, is sure to take place, and the
riders should commence training at once
The prizes are Delng purchased, and will
soon be upon exhibition. Entry blanks
are being printed and will be forwarded
to the various clubs next week. The rae
ing board, California, Bay City and Olym-
pic clubs, having looked into the manage
ment of the affair, and being satisfied with
their investigations, have agreed to sup
port the venture and help make it sue
cess.
H. B. Gleezen, the well-known trainer,
has devised q plan whereby the speed oil
races may be increased and the use of pac-
ing machines done away with. He sug-
gests that prize be given to the man fin
ishing first in every lap except the last
which shall decide the race. Then, if the