The San Francisco call., 1896-08-01

annually. Another meeting Will be held
at the Acme Club next Monday evening
to complete arrangements. The race
would be of considerable interest, on ac-
count of the number of fast road riders
across the bay and because of its novelty,
there being no similar event held by the
associated clubs or any of the individual
clubs.
Sanford Plummer, official referee of the
League of American Wheelmen for this
district and ex-captain of the Bay City
Wheelmen, limped around to the Bay City
clubhouse Thursday night and appeared
SO changed that his fellow-me mbers hardly
knew him. SANDY" has recently gone
through a severe spell of sickness, and has
dropped in weight from 166 to 131 pounds
His complaint was acute gastritis. He is
now past the danger point and mending
rapidly, and by the time the next race
meet is held-on September 9-we may
again have the pleasure of hearing his
merry voice sing out, "Get off the track. -
The Alameda Cyclers had large turn
out at Mill Valley last Sunday, capturing
the quiet town and it's fair ones together.
Next Sunday week they will go to Stock
ton on the watermelon run, the trip for to-
morrow being to Sutro's.
Another very interesting letter has been
received by the writer from r. P. Ayl-
Ziegler Jr., 1.-The California champion, now
following the National racing circuit. Mr..
Aylward's letters are always breezy and
full of news, anecdotes and the like, and L
always enjoy reading them and giving
them to the readers of THE CALL, Ay1-
ward is a splendid trainer, and there is
probably no one in the business who can
show him a trick. The marked improve
ment in Ziegler's form over his showing of
last year is ample proof of this. The
Californian has never been anywhere but
near the top of the latter since he Joined
the circuit, sharing the honors with
Cooper, Bald and Sanger, and it would be
very little of surprise to me if with Ayl-
ward help he passed them all in the per-
centage table before long.
Aylward's letter is given in full as
follows:
LIMA, Ohio, July "a, 1896.
FL. W. Spdlding, Cycling Editor San Francisco
Call: Here we are in this little burg patiently
waiting for the weather to clear up, and while
waiting l will tell you what has happened
since my last letter to you.
Otto was not feeling well when we left
Chicago so decided to skip the meet at Battle
Creek and get rest at kalamazoo. We were
just comfortably located at the above place
when we received a telegram from the referee
of the Battle Creek meet stating we must
make our appearance on the track at Battle
Creek or Sufter suspension. SO took Otto up
duO SuOWcQ u1s CouQItlOu huu ne WdS excused.
On the circuit down south almost all of the
boys had contracted malaria and the effects of
1t were jut now showing up on their systems,
and i'll Ottos case it broke out on his lips
similar to cold sore. Although it did not
necessitate his going to bed at tho same time
it made him feel very uncomfortable and he
could not do justice to himself while in this
condition. At Peoria he first felt the effects of
the southern trip and is just now getting over
it.
At Kalamazoo he did some very good riding.
In the half-mile open he ran Bald so close that
It was question who had crossed the tape
first. When it was announced that Bald had
won first place the grand-stand hissed~and
shouted, "Zieglerl Ziegler, Who won the
race? Zieglerl ziegler!' Although was not
in a position to say exactly who had won, it
looked to me like Ottos win. In the mile
open the second day he was pocketed and
could not get out to sprint at all
Bald is riding like fend, and so is Cooper.
I think Bald is still the best man.
At Battle Creek Bald defeated Tom by at
least four wheel lengths by making his desper-