The San Francisco call., 1897-08-16
He Rides Twenty Miles on
the Road in 48 Minutes
90 Seconds.
Six Tandem Teams Made Him
Ride a Remarkable Race
Against Time.
Hamilton Won the Acme Clubs Event
and Wyman Made the
Fastest Time.

Charles A. Kraft of the Bay City Wheel
he is the worlds greatest road-rlder by
lowering the American record for twenty
miles, and the margin, though narrow,
would have been much more had he not
been delayed fully half minute by the
crossing OF train in front OF him when
near the finish.
Kraft has held the twenty-mile coast
record ever since racing at that distance
was established here up 10 month ago,
when the honor was wrested from him.
Kraft originally established the record at
81 min. 81 1-5 sec. on July II, 1885, in the
annual race of Ihe California Associated
Cycling Clubs for the Baker IL Hamilton
trophy. When the race was again run on
July II OF this year he brought it down to
50 min. II 2-5 Sec, but week later E. A.
Bozio of the Imperial Cycling Club went
alter the mark, tandem paced, and covered
the course in so min. 16 sec. This set
Kraft upon is mettle and he decided to
regain his lost laurels and to put the mark
down so low that others would not meddle
with it again for some time.
With this in view he set about train I'm g
AT once, while the arrangements for
proper pacing were LETT with z. Lloyd
Conkling, manager OF the Bay City racing
men, with the result that six tandem
leans were secured to pace him, and the
tandem riders also went into training for
the ride.
Kraft could not have chosen a better
day for his ride than yesterday. There
was little wind across the bay, and the
overhanging log made the air cool and
agreeable. The road over which the trial
was made, in San Leandro triangle was
made in pretty fair shape, and every thing
was favorable for fast Tide.
AT 10 o'clock large crowd had as
ser bled at tltchburg TO see the start, and
the word 20 go was given five min utes
later, with Kraft tackled on behinu the
J. Davidson-J. Mendel tandem, who car
RED him along at rdttling clip. Kraft
was too anxious, however, and ran on
their rear wheel too close, with the result
that he was thrown from his wheel when
not more than 200 yards from tue start
and was severely bruised. He jumped up
at once and remounted with the intention
OF resuming the ride, but the tandem had
in the meantime turned around and was
coming back, insisting that he should
have his wounds dressed and make fresh
start. 1t was we'll that he did this, as it
was found on examination that his
handle bars were loose and his wheel
In less than fifteen minutes, however
the sturdy Teuton was ready Tor a second
attempt, and this time got under way in
good shape, and was careful not TO ride
100 close to the men he was following.
Davidson and Mendel took him to the
powerhouse this tide of San Leandro,
where they dropped out and he was turned
over to Kroetz and Kingsley, and went
humming along through San Leandro to
The first junction. and then was turned
over to Vincent and Ferguson of the
California Club. They gave him no rest.
but hurried him along to the first turn OF
the triangle near Haywards.
Kraft made the turn alone, and was
pick up around the corner by Theisen
and Birdsali who carried him to the tank
corner near San Lorenzo, and then gave
way to Kanzee and Raynaud. the Bay
City's crack midget team, who saw him
safely across the railroad track the Fl. st
time. and were replaced by Boeckman and
w. Davidson, who were to carry him into