Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-10
WHEELS AND RIDERS
Leading Racers Who Follow the Cir
cult.
NOTES OF THE RECENT MEET HERE
The Patronage Was Not What 1t
Deserved.
EARNINGS OF THE CYCLISTS

Those who witnessed the races Monday
at the International Athletic Park clearly
saw the great difference between f1rst-class
professional racing and first-class amateur
racing. In the professional races the alb
sence of lcafing was noticeable. There was
10 kicking or objection over the pace set
ting and the riders kept moving In good
style In the two-thirds Of mile, open. the
pacemaker ran away from the men, giving
the appearance that they were loafing, but
that this was not the was evidenced
by the good time in which the distance was
covered. In the amateur races there ap-
pears always to be some objection to cut
ting pace as the riders term 1t. Among
the ranks of the amateurs it is generally
understood that the man who sets the
PACE so tires himself that he Is no good
for the sprint at the final The statement
is borne out at almost every race. the sec
ond or third man generally winning out.
while often times the winner Is farther
back in the bunch.
A good many people attributed Coope-'s
bad luck the meet TO the number ne
wore The popular superstition against
No. ID was evidenced on all sides, and be-
fore the races there were many people
who were willing to wager that Cooper
would not even win race In thls tney
we're disappointed. There is no more su-
perstitious riders than the circuit chasers.
All of them have their signs and omens
Cooper has his share, but he did not kick
he did kick and that was at the
circuit races at Louisville, KY, at the
time of the national meet of the League
of American Wheelmen. where he and
Bald began quarreling on their wheels, Tor
which they were each fined 500 by the rae
ing board of the league. Cooper was given
No Is; and he kicked like mule. He did
not want the number, but he was forced
TO take it. else not ride His trainer.
Mother Webb, urged him to take 1t, and
lie did The result highly exceeded his an
tfcipations. He was more successful than
he thought. He won the one-mile, the two
rlile and the fiye-mile championships OF
the country and several other races, ge.-
ting quite d snug sum Since then ne mas
mad no objection TO wearing the No 10,
and that is why he did not object at the
recent circuit meet If some of the other
riders had struck the same number they
undoubtedly would have raised strong OBJ
iections-
The track at the Athletic Park received
high praise from all of the circuit cracks
ard their managers. and it was the unani-
nous opinion that it was the best dirt
track in the country This is saying
good deal. as the men on the circuit have
visited almost every prominent city IN The
country, and raced over many kinds OF
is said to he OF the worst. MIR. Will
PeIot, the manager of the Morgan and
Wright team who had the largest rep
rsSentation of racers and training Inen at
the track Monday was enthusiastic in his
praise of the course. I'VE did not expect
to see such a good track ne said. and
you may be sure We were agreeahly disap-
pointed. You can't say too much in praise
of the course. Though It is now, 1t
Is the equal OF ally dirt track in the coun-
try. The track was in splendid condition
for the races. Its width Is excellent and
the turns fine, making 1t an ideal track in
all respects" Eddie Bald was also high
In his praise of the course. and thought
II fine one. Tom Cooper was also IA
vorably impressed with it, was Arthur
Gardiner. Charlie Church and the ether
fast men.
The path of a professional racing man
Is not nearly so rosy as 1t is painted. He
is forced to put up with good many
things. and being in constant training all
the summer finds the life tiresome. 1t Is
work to him. He does little riding, except
when racing. and labor at all, simply
lounging around and taking things easy.
This is all right in its way. but every now
and then the racer is called in by the firm
for which he Is riding, and variation
given to the program which is not relished
Generally when man Is called In by the
manufacturer it Is for the purpose OF crit
icsm. The poor riding of the man or his
falling to keep in condition may be the
Objectionable points. Just after the Tren-
ton races Bald was called In Ivy the Barnes
people. Nobody knows what was said.
but almost every one knows why the firm
took the action. Bald had not been riding
as the firm thought he should. and they
surmsed that he was not keeping in proper
condition. Though one knows what
was said to Bald every one knows what a
.salutary effect the lecture had. He won
a race at the Waverly track at Newark.
y. J., and then came to this city and de-
feated Cooper in the two open events.
This brings to mind the fact that Bald
ard Walter Sarger are down for match
race today at Milwaukee, Wis. The purse
will be for sl,HD. and a result it can be
expected that good race will take place.
Sanger and Bald held a match race pre-
viously at New York city. at which Sanger
g came off victorious. In the event that Bald
wins this. II is likely that third race will
: come off for the deciding honors.
Bald and Cooper will shortly have a
match race. In the dressing room at the
International Athletic Park Cooper made
the claim that he and Bald were even on
the points on the national circuit, and that
soon as he got in Chicago he would is
a challenge for match race of one
nile for $40 a side. II can easily beat
him." said Cooper. "and am willing to put
up my own money against any sum that
he may place up. The weather was toe
chilly for me to ride today. I did not &c,