The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-10
CYCLING IN THE RAIN
MANY SUNDAY RIDERS CAUGHT IN
Yesterdays STORM.
ZiSzag Clubs Run to GrecnGeId-The
Crowds Out at Broad Ripple
Famous Eastern Race.

-e-
Yesterday was a dampener for the wheel
men. The threatening appearance of the
clouds at sunrise caused many hundreds to
defer contemplated country excursions, but
other hundreds We're satisfied to make the
start and take the chances with the uncer-
tain elements. Others who waited until the
afternoon to make trips and started in the
sunshine We're caught in the torrent of the
early evening.
When the heavy rain came up yesterday
evening there We're several hundred wheel
men at Broad Ripple, or on the way to the
city along the cycle path. The indication of
the approach of a storm prompted many to
mount their wheels and fly for the city.
They were caught along the cycle path and
about the streets of the city, and many of
them were drenched. Some left their wheels
and took cars for home. 1t thus came
about that the kniokerbocker for men and
the short skirt for women seemed to be in
vogue for everyday wear. They We're seen
upon almost every car and upon the street
corners. Bicycle costumes were seen every
where, but the bicycles had been stored
away IN the dry to await the clearing of
the weather for an opportunity to fetch
them home.
The evening storm came up in such a
short time after its approach was apparent
that few had opportunity to escape it.
About as good an opportunity to note the
number caught on the cycle path was af-
forded a party of young men composed of
Fred Geiger, Homer Commons, III. C. New
lands, George Nichols, John Minor and
George Talbot. They left Broad Ripple
just as the storm was discovered coming up
from the southwest. They came in on the
tow path, and in twenty-six minutes from
the time they left the Broad Ripple Park
they arrived at the drug store at the cor
ner of Fl. Wayne avenue and st. Clair
street. They passed fully two hundred
people all headed this way. Every
as ee0y the yeem We're to sbl be going NINA as , fast
wheels. 1t was a sort of a free-for-all race
against rain, and in most cases the rain
storm had burst and was pouring down
upon the riders in torrents. There were few
places where shelter could be found, and
some OF these were barred to many of the
riders from their own choice.
AT Broad Ripple Park it had been an
ing the afternoon. Several trainloads of
people were hauled out on the electric line.
and when everybody, including several hun
dfed Wheelmen, had collected about the
band stand a man came along and tackled a
streamer on the stand announcing that the
concert had been postponed on account of
rain had interfered with the concert. The
afternoon was almost perfect. 1t had
rained a little during the morning, but
there was little indication when the sign
appeared of the heavy storm which was
coming. A dissatisfied. crowd spent the aft
ernoon about the park, and was finally
driven to seek shelter from the rain, which
did finally come in torrents.
Many riders made the trip to Greenfield
yesterday, though there was nothing like
the number that would have gone on a
fairer day. From sunrise until nearly noon
an occasional party of from two to six
could be seen heading in that direction.
during the week an enterprising restau-
rateur of Greenfield had scattered about
indianapolis his business cards, on the re-
verse side of which was a bill of fare of
the, dinner which was to be served yes
terday. 1t was a most elaborate affair got
up IN a style that would bring the blush
of shame TO the stewards of leading hotels.
If the dinner was as well prepared as the
menu card it is not surprising that many
riders were willing to take q chance on the
weather for a chance to get their feet under
one of that restaurants tables. And it
was AL for % cents" the card announced.
ZIGZAG CLUBS RUN.
The long-talked-of run to Greenfield of
the Zigzag Club was made yesterday. IN
fortunately, the hour set for the start
proved to be one of the most threatening
of the day, and there were few to report
for the run. 1t was at $50 when the start
was to be made. An hour before a score
or more of riders had gathered at the club
house on North Delaware street and when
the time for the start came, there were
twice this number. But it looked as If it
might rain any minute and less than twenty
were bold enough to make the start. In
twenty minutes after they had started the
rain began to fall. The riders had not
reached Cumberland but were too far to
turn back and they kept right along re-
CARELESS of the rain. They found a merry
company ahead of them at Greenfield when
they arrived, The light rain at noon found
them all under shelter and the run back
was made without incident. The crowd
which made the run With the ZigZags was
photographed at the clubhouse before the
start.
Small parties made trips to various points.
George Fife, James Donlen, Harry Walsh
and James Manley rode to Lebanon. Fred
Hofft rode to louisville and got caught in
the rain on tho return trip. A number went
morning, many waited until afternoon to
start and the result was that they found
themselves on the country roads miles
from home and often miles from shelter
when the storm came on. Even with shell
ter they were in a sorry plight, for there
city in the rain and mud. Wheels were left
at farmhouses and vehicles chartered.
Some wheelmen found railroad stations
a sudden and very disagreeable interrupt
ton of a day of pleasure.
1t is said by wheelmen and some old
women that it always rains seven Sundays
when it rains the first Sunday III May. II
that is the case the wheelmen who count
on Sunday runs have not much to look for
ward to in the immediate future. Some
| claim that the preceding Sundays are to
be counted in the seven and find 1t has
| rained five successive Sundays. They are
willing to concede two more If they can
! have the assurance that the third from now
will be clear.
The rain which fell last night did some
slight damage beyond spelling new spring
bonnets and the fun of wheelmen. To the
|, telephone service it was q most serious in
convenience. Wires were crossed In all
parts of the city An attempt to call the
| exchange sometimes resulted in getting
| doctors. livery stables and undertakers,
! when perhaps the patron was only anxious
TO find out the baseball score. The trouble
seemed to be general ali over the city.
The Western Union Telegraph Companys
wires entering the city were not affected.
The Postal reported the loss Of one wire
between this city and Louisville.
NNIr IL we A CsIN