The record-union., 1896-02-27
unpaced mile, as well as the hour rec
ord. I. G. NJ.
GENERAL NoTEs.


The battle is over; professionalism
rises above the smoke and debris of a
bitterly fought contest. Following in
the rear is pure amateurism, and never
again will the taint of the moneyed
class be allowed to conflict with its pur-
ity. Sterling Elliott, that hard worker
for better roads and a greater interest
in cycling, now heads the wheeling con-
tirgent as their chief executive. In
him wheelmen will find an able leader.
His careful foresight and perfect knowl-
edge of all that pertains to the sport,
beside a wide interest in cycle racing.
make him fit for position to which he
will do full justice. 1t is President Ell
liott's purpose to increase the L. A. w.
membership to 10000 before another
winter comes, and no one doubts that
his indefatigable efforts in this direc-
tion will succeed.
Now that professionalism reigns su-
preme as an adjunct of the l.. A. W., a
necessary one, perhaps, it is quite
probable that the theory regarding class
races will be revived. 1t seems there is
a strong inclination on the part of we'll
known officials of the league to give
this matter some consideration. Critics
claim that professional racing men
should be classed as they class horses
Then the less fortunate wheelmen would
have a good opportunity to share in the
large winnings SO lavishly distributed
annually. After rider qualified for a
class under 2:15, he would be considered
a "crackajack," and consequently must
soon ride even faster. The best racing
men would soon find themselves in the
same class, and have an excellent oppor-
tunity of contesting for championship
laurels. Pacemaking in this case would
doubtless be done away with, as it
would be unfair to the riders to draw
them out to the limit of their speed.
Is 1t advisable for the bicycle rider to
rush hills? Many and many is the time
that the wheelmen hesitates at the bot
tom of some. steep incline, debating
within himself whether he shall make a
rush for it or climb the hill leisurely.
Often in a state of doubt the rider makes
a headlong dash, but his strength is
not adequate to meet the effort, and off
the wheel he chambers to fume that he
did not take more time at it. Old and
experienced riders rarely rush hills. If
the incline be short, or the course over
a section of country with a slight wave
to the land, he makes number of fast
climbs, but never attempts to rush
long HILL 1t is advisable to climb all
hills slowly.
Amateurs will need to be very wary,
indeed, concerning a possible violation
Of L. A. w. racing rules in the future.
There are many men in this class to-day
who deserve to be professionals, and
the Racing Board will utilize every ef-
fort to bring them to justice. 1t will
take some time, this much needed re-
form, but it will come with the same
annihilating quickness that character
lied Chairman Gideons term of office
Herbert McCrea has decided to re-
main in the amateur class. McCrea is
the former Sacramento crack who re-
Gently lowered the worlds standing
start mile record to 1:49 1-5. When
the news was received that class B had
been abolished McCrea resigned his po-
sition on the team at Coronado, and
Trainer Shafer now refuses to pay him
his salary, claiming that McCrea has
T,.o1xaY1 I0is oopfraot