The sun., 1897-03-28
NEWS OF THE WHEELMEN.
PREPARATIONS FOR 4N AcrITE SEA-
SON ON THE TRACK AND ROAD
Riders want the l.. =. ~. to Adept Ralss ts
Eliminate All Danger frSm Track Races
CentarJ Runs Popuiar with the Ciuss-An
independent LenEus In CnErsrnia-Ges-.r.


active racing season. The talk Of organizing a
series OF big road races has been instrumental in
reyiving interest in this branch OF cycling and
as a result the leading clubs are preparing to
select road teams from among their best riding
members. The inauguration OF several long dis
tance races will afford such clubs the Kings
County. Riverside, South Brooklyn. Manhattan,
and Harlem Wheelmen opportunities to decide
which organization is entitled to the premier
position in road contests in this section. Racing
will also play an important part in some OF the
new clubs. Track racinS in the Metropolitan
district this year will receive q decided boom
Already the Kings County, Riverside, and Ata-
lanta Wheelmen have received sanctions 70 hold
tournaments and the local racing men will be
enabled to compete frequently in this immediate
vicinity.
While Professional races will DC promoted at
all the local meets, amateur racing men are in
the majority in this section. and, accordingly a
preference will be shown for amateur contests.
The action OF the Atalanta Wheelmen Of New.
ark, in renting the waverly, y. j., track for the
season, indicates that in that State an active
campaign will be carried out. The Atalanta
Club members intend to hold three or four meet
ings. and will also lease the track for out.
aide events. There a number of clubs in this
section which hold club championship races
each year, ani these organizations may rent
grounds for some open events.
The L. \. W. state circuit will embrace all the
leading cities and towns where Soot tracks are
available. SO that the racing prospects par
ticularly bright. There have been some rumors
OF new track being built in Brooklyn, but the
project has not assumed definite shape so that
such a movement - unlikely this year. The
ami the big following which has supported race
meets in the past assures q sucresstul year from
both 4 rucing and financial standpoint.
Riders who follow the circuit feel that the
Ra,:nS B0nri OF the L \. W. should formulate
events. uure especially relating to the number
OF riders allowed 10 start ii heats. according TO
mee.s arc;tcnts were trequent and injuries
numerous. resulting from the overcrowding OF
ssttcnc hold that the entries FOE all the cirruit
and .osal meets are very large. necessitatins
sbSGl be hesi sopted pisens is' thhs m.sea sss
uy@n the number o. to be run at
OF n one afternoon. Frequently a club will
scne'.uie programme OF seven ant. often eight
races for one mee5inS The entry list is large.
tsrS i Is compulsory to crowd the trials. 1t is
in sub cases that accidents are looked for and
track Z. m!shap to one side will often carry down
every riEer in Il race: which is due 10 lack OF
room 10 avobi the rider who has fallen
Fewer races with better regulated heats will
remova a big element Of danger from cycle
Ricins Board is responsible for the few evils OF
cycle racing. Should the board come out and
Contracted the sport would be vastly mproved
Cuns and promoters will insist on running long
programmes and overrruwded heats for purely
pc, GI.iary remuneration, but such practices are
detrimental TO racing.
Talk OF forming an independent racing associ-
alton 70 govern racing stlll prevails IN some
tuns Of the West. \ call has been issued from
California fOc Il meeting OF racing men. track
owners a,:i meet promoters. TO be held IN san
Francisco to-iaT, Tor the purpose OF forming 4
The Lsns Ie Of American Whee.men. which
assumes to control cycle racing in the Jnited
States Of America hav ing failed at the last as
semb,y to adequately legislate therefor. and es-
periGly h-ving refused To recognize the usces-
SHY for special legislation 20 meet existing con-
ditions in certain OF the southern and Westera
States. ana being avoweGly OUT OF sympathy
with. aGd having refused representation TO- Lhs
professional element in the sporr. ths orxaniza-
tiun 20 Cuntroi cycle racing IN msnRsE som ae.-
imperative. and BY common eoEsenc is LETT 10
the .hc West. as the section mcsS particularly
Interest ed to take the initiative il: this matter
h@nrers Of the l. a w anticipate that tne
meerliS VIII be attended only by the dissatisfied
Tack Ovvn.rs in California. and thar any asso-
siation torne'; will he of purely local natrr-.
The racing men declare that they will not Join
sontro OF racing, and the question thar viii con
tIpnt tie OPPOSITION element VII be the mater
op OF securing riders cer 5Ss thss s ,S ices
stated yesterday that the new Pacing
Board has been considering the efforts OF
the L A. ". racing element and he
warrants that the promoters of the opposition
grass by midsummer through lack OF competi-
tors TO support their venture and the financial
failure OF their tournaments resulting theretrnm.
The Californians taking the initiative in oppos
ing the l. A. W. viii result in the bIacklistng
OF all the outlaw tracks. which will compel the
racing men to abandon California. to the detri-
ment OF the independent league folks. The
l. A. ". membership in California is compara-
t!veiy snail. and the inauguration OF opposition
racing means the deprivation OF that section OF
al the crack l. 4. w riders
The new officers Of the national body Of the
l. A. ". have been very dilatory this year in |,
Tfurr 1NY11iF
OF the league. and as a consequence the work OF ,
the organization is at present somewhat at a !
new Executive Committee has been marked by |
n progressive policy which is lacking Just now. |
bers that in order TO successfully push the
projects OF The organization it il necessary for
have time 1t their disposal TO carry on the work !
with 7oGIe expedition. The membership OF the
serYa i've members fee! that chances to enroll |
me vast army OF unaitichs1t riders in the L A.
W, are wofuilY negieCFed
=. " IL being snppanted by a Federation Of
GyciLstt whose memberships y greater than the
league division. tnless radical steps are taken
TO hnnni the league membership and make it de-
sraaIr ror riders 10 Join the organization, indie
pent-rL associations will crop mp throughout
the country.
-Cme Of the divisions in the L. A. W. have de-
c,ded % appoint official repair shops throughout
me different states, SO that riders may have
has een sstaSiished in the e; New H Yort ssate Rae
Division. and will likely be copied. Tourists
have tr"q Iently lodged complaints with the L
\ w. that repair men in some towns have
exacted exorbitant charges for the work on
broken wheels and for sundries. The l. A. w.
proposes To prevent such practices in this State,
and Treasurer, W. :. Bull ot the division now
furnishes members with the list OF official repair
men in each town, with tariff schedule of
prices IN addition TO rates NJ the leading hotels
Tor /. A. w. members.
L1nG-distance road riding in the form OF CEN
tury runs rarely attempted until recent
years. In the days OF the old high wheels a man
that could ride 100 miles the road in ten
hours was regarded n remarkable performer,
while a woman who would accomplish such
leat established great reputation In the old
cycling days II was customary TO hold annual
centilT run from Newark to Philadelphia. This
rth originated with Larry Clarke. member OF
lhe hereury " heel Club OF Flushing. and, while
several hundred riders attempted the ride, rarely
more Than htty flashed. The condition OF the
EHi'' nov - different. The army Of riders ID
.nf2rr. lEt century runs have become a craze, in
Eal... rI...n.H