The morning times., 1896-03-01
.Gynnkhand
Races
On Wheels.
Spring Sports for BOYS

Since the Armenian boy has taken TO cvo-
ling he has developed an AMOUNT Of skin and
! energy that must, I thiak. astonish even
himself. Hehas found outthat not only can
he do mile in-2. 40, Is it-oT forty 1nilesin
a minute?
Whatever the latest record, however, is
neither here nor there.
Its gymkhana on wheels mat We are at
present interested in. We have had hockey,
| paper chasing and polo On wheels. and now
the very latest is a series Of races on bicvc-
/ les, in which the prize goes 70 the one who
IS the cleverest at guiding bis machine
| and at the same time performing some feat
or another-say, holding an umbrella over
| his head, while dashing along 10 the goal OF.
dismounting several timrs in the course Of
the race 10 pick up potatoes placed ut inter
walls.
There is no doubt that tine costumes the
boys wear for the contests adj 10 the inter
estOf The spectators
All in Bright the jauntyIttlef forage
Riding Suits cap and the Jersey. in
bright eoIors, the
shiny boots and the spotIess white breeches,
the wheels with gay sJreameFs of ribbon, all
help TO make the scene gay and festive
one.
Prizes for the viCtCTs take the shape CT
almost any useful or ornamental article. A
cycIometer, a lamp for ones wheel, a wheel
even. silver inkstand, or a Matchbox.
The race which perhaps affords most
fun and hilarity is the thread and needle
race Each rider starts out on the race
with a needle. THIS he carries TO lady
among the spectators, who threads It for
him, and then he hastens on % the goal.
The one. of course, wins The prize who
aCcompliShes the feat ia the shortest time
The ribbon race Is almost as exciting
as the one just described-the contestants
riding in pairs, side by side. their arms
joined by a knot OF ribbon. TEe prizes IN
this case are necessary for the two who
come out ahead.
One race. called the dressing race"
is subject 10 these rules.
Bicycles to be brought 10 the starting
point The coat and vest Of the rider TO be
on the ground. After the starting signal
Is given each Compeu-
tor, without any out Dress Before
side assistance, to put The Race Begins
on his vest and coat,
mount his wheel, and make the best Of
his way 10 the winning post. where he is 70
arrive with his vest and coat entirely but
toned; vest 10 have at least flve buttons
coat at least three buttons"
The egg and spoon race. which is prob
ably more difficult than any. Is regulated
BY these instructions:
Each competitor 70 receive a wooden
spoon with an egg in iy. 10 be Carries
with one hand 10 the winning post with
out breaking il. Should the egg fan, the
competitor is TO replace IT in the spoon
without assistance, and start gain from
the point where II feu, or ne may return
TO the starting post for another egg"
In the polo, ban and buCEet race, each
rider has to place three polo balls IN
separate buckets distributed between start
ing and winning points Tie first in after
pla cling the balls is, Of course, the winner.
Another race has tc DO with umbrellas,
as follows:
Wheels to be broUGh, 20 the starting
point, where the riders stand each with
an umbrella. After the starting signal
is given, each rider without any outside
assistance, must put up his um breHa,
mount and make the best of his way 70
the winning post, where he Is 10 arrive
with the umbrella open and in good condi-
tion-the umbrella must remain open from
start to finish. This is no easy contest,
for the umbrella usually proves to be
an unweiIdy subject.