Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-05
UP-TO-DATE NEWSD
FOR THE WHEELMEN

viii Pickons went down to Demopolis
on Thursday where he rode in the races
yesterday. He is quite a favorite there,
as he won nearly all the. races at De-
moplis during the meet there last May.
He will return via Montgomery and Will
ride in the races there tomorrow.
In Mr. A. Mcleod we have one of the
best official referees and handicappers
in the country. He is thoroughly up-to-
date on all cycling events. and kick on
his work is rare thing.
One of the prettiest roads in the world
is the level stretch on the Vanderbilt
road from Village creek to the-furnaces
A beautiful spring of deliciously cold
water bursts forth from the rocks near
the bridge across the creek, and the
scenery is magnificent. For one who de-
sres to take a short spin this road can
not be eXcelled.
The phenomenal riding of w. E. Lum,
the speedy Montgomery youngster, re-
calls his first appearance on the track
here three years ago as starter in the
novice race. The starters were Lum,
Fleck, Pickens and Allie Ges. Gels was
looked upon a s sure winner, and it was
interesting to see how the local boys
eyed the Montgomery lad as they came
to the tape for the start Fleck won the
event, with Pickens second and Gels
third. Lum was riding wheel which
he was unused to and failed to make
the showing which was expected of him.
The race was run in 1885, which was
state record at that time. Since then,
however, Lum has come to the front,
and now ranks among the best riders in
the country.
There was a rumor abroad last week
that Eddie Warren would go back to
afr hhf 1nfao
seen and said: Eyes, l think will ride
this fall if can spare the time from bus
mess, though l am very busy at present.
The boys keep after me so much to rlde
that I don't see how / can very well
help from donnng the racing garb once
more 1 do not think that my long alb
sence from the path will interfere with
my speed, and l am sure that l Will be
able to ride in front again this year.
Mr. Warren is a very modest young man,
and has the reputation of doing very lit
tie talking and lots of riding. He is
liked by every racing man in the country
for his square racing, and has never
been protested during his long racing ca
reer. His friends are confident OF ms
winning the state championships this
year.
Whenever there is an accident caused
by the collision of a cyclist with pedes-
trian the blame is always laid on the
wheelman. OF course there are mood
and other vehicles, but the time has long
since disappeared when the wheel was
considered the plaything or small boy.
Sturdy business men use the Wheel 10 go
to and from their business and are as
careful as possible being often provoked
by non-riders, who endeavor to incon-
venience them in crossing street.
Tho road race given by the "Cyclers'
Rest" proved great attraction, as there
were at least 1000 people on Fifth avenue
to witness the event. Manager clark de-
serves great credit for the manner IN
which the affair was conducted. He will
give several such races this summer and
will have some of the best riders in the
city to compete.
At last it is an assured fact that the
new bicycle track is a CO. Mr. j. A. Snf-
der, who will have charge OF the meet for
the lessees, gave the State Herald cy-
cling man the information. Work will be
commenced in few days at the new ball
park where it will be located. The con-
tract calls for the completion of the
track by August l.. The inaugural meet
will be held as soon as the work is COM
pleted. Mr.. Snider said that the prizes
for the opening meet would be the best
ever offered in the south and that we
would have all of the fast men to com
pete. 1.-THE state League of American
Wheelmen championships will be run at
this meet and / do not see why, with
these events, together with list of hand
leaps and open races, sprinkled with a
few class races and with liberal
prizes and purses, wouldn't draw the big
gest crowd of racing men ever seen on
one track in the country" Both anna
teur and professional events Will be
scheduled, and, with lot OF electrlc
lights around the entire track, night
racing will be quite. feature and will
afford those who cannot get off to see the
afternoon racing an opportunity TO at
tend 1t is quite probable that blue rib
+xx,tl1 ha ha1d q
the big opening meet.
The national meet, which will be held
at Louisville in August, will draw quite
a crowd from Birmingham. special
car will be secured if the number desir-
ing to attend will justify 1t. Mr. James
M Pickens has charge of arrangements,
and treat is in store for those VINO are
so fortunate as to go. 1t Is here that all
the national champions meet in finale
battle, and, on the finest track In the
world the time made in these races Will
be phenomenal.
Mr.. j. p. Fleck the well known profess
sonal of this city, who has been winning
on the Southern circuit, was In the city
on a visit to his parents during the past
week He will be on the circuit for three
weeks yet, and after that time will return
home.
Bicycles have done much to bring into
common use many things of which the
ordinary man was acquainted only by
hearsay before he put his first patch
upon his punctured pneumatic tire. 1t
has led tens of thousands OF men and
women into the paths of elementary me
chanics. and many wheelmen have dis
covered that they were natural born me-
chanics. The mere cleaning of a wheel
after days outing gives the novice an
insight into the wonders and mysteries
which were formerly secluded behind the
walls of machine shops and factories. A
loose nut or bolt, a slack chain, bent
crank or loosened handle bar gives the
bicycle owner an opportunity to try his
apprentice hand on one of the most beau
tiful and complete mechanisms that ever
came out of a shop.
In taking long rides on warm days 1t
is better to ride before noon and after
-ofto IAhat, saixad