New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-20

ON THE ROAD TO WILLOW 'HoN f.
dence Of the 90 National Meet Executive Com
mttee in the wisdom Of again hanging up UNI
usually large purses, and for that reason the
sum Of $500 was last week voted to the CON-
nttee which will have charge OF the WILLOW
Grove races
When it is remembered that six Of the thirteen
events which will make up the two days pro-
gramme are hampionshps-four professional
and two amateur-the prizes for which must De
lin accordance with l.. A. w. rules medals or
gold silver and bronze. it is apparent that the
remaining races will afford golden opportuni-
ties for the speedy riders. The Race-meet Com
mittee has succeeded in having the Sloo limi'
waived In all the professional races and that
mark will he passed in each instance FOR the
professional mile open. which will be one or the
features Of the last days racing the sum Of $500
will be hung up-the largest purse in any one
race on the National Circuit OF 1897. In each
open race there will be four prizes. while in the
handcaps the first six men to cross the tape will
share the good things
With just enough up and down hill to make
the trip enjoyable the ride over the old York
Road to Willow Grove. where the National
championships of the l.. A. W. will be run off
on August 6 and l. cannot fail to enthuse the
thousands Of wheelmen and wheelwomen who
will visit Philadelphia TO take in the National
meet The accompanying picture shows the long
level stretch of road just below Branchtown
OF Paramount Park every Philadelphia Is
Justly proud. Its three thousand acres and its
miles of macadamZed roads make II veritabe
"wheelmens paradise and the Runs and Tours
Committee will see to It that the many visitors
to next Augustus meet shall not go away without
getting a definite idea Of It's many attractions
The illustration shows the foot OF Dairy Hill,
where the road from Benedict Arnold's revolu-
tionary mansion debouches into the East River
Drive under the Reading Railway bridge.
The work of the Reception Committee will be
facilitated by the individual CLUBS, In many or
which committees are already at work preparing
for the entertainment OF delegations OF visitors
from out-of town clubs. While this work Will
be Of an Independent character. the chairmen or
these club committees Will keep In touch with
Chairman Madison Rush Of the main Reception
Committee, who will have general oversight OF
the entertainment Of the entire body OF stran-
gers within the gates" All the prominent clubs
in the city have arranged to keep open house
throughout the entire week
Several thousand riders OF the metropolitan
district will participate In the combination CEN
tury run OF the NewYork, New-Jersey and Long
Island Associated Cycling Clubs which Is sched-
ued to take place during the week Of the meet
The starting point will he Newark. and the route
will be that usually followed by the local A. c.
c. in its annual intercub contest.
The Subscription Committees work. Is begin
ming TO tell as the time for the meet approaches
The $1,000 fund which the Executive Commit
tee deems necessary to entertain properly the
thousands Of visitors, Is now in fair way OF
being realized. The railroads. hotels department
stores big mercantile houses and other business
concerns are responding with encouraging liber-
atty and as but half the field has as yet been
covered the prospects OF entire success are eX-
ceedngy bright.
Realizing the value OF l.. \. w card here
abouts In August next, hundreds Of local wheel
men and wheelwomen are applying for member
ship in the organiZatiOn-abOut five hundred is
| the weekly average. At this rate Pennsylvania
will be close to the twenty thousand mark before
August |.
THE Sporting Life" is discussing the advisa-
| bility of erecting at a suitable place along the
| old York Road ION the way to Willow Grove a
| huge tent in which II will set out eatables and
| turntables galore for every League member who
cares 10 partake.