The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-08
FOR A BICYCLE TRACK
CLUB FORMED FOR RACING PUR-
POSES LAST EVENING.
over $4,000 stock Pledged Already
To Break Into the Rae
ing Circuit.

The Indianapolis Cycle and Athletic Club
was organized last night, and it is now
within the bounds of probability that this
city will have an up-to-date cycle track.
Nearly ten thousand dollars worth of stock
was pledged last night, and a spirit was
manifested that is sure to make the move
ment a go"
During the season there has been much
lamentation among bicycle dealers and BIZ
cycle riders and the thousands of athlet-
ically inclined people of the city that a
town the size of Indianapolis should not
have a decent cycle track The experience
of last year with the cheap skate" tracks
built at Broad Ripple and near the fair
grounds Disguised those most directly in
terested in cycling and cycle racing They
had dear experience and were glad to get
out of the business. Then the season this
year has been so late that the bicycle peo-
pie have had little encouragement to con-
slider anything that would mean the ex-
penditure of money not absolutely neces-
sary.
But withal there has been the general
sentiment that cycle track ought to be
built and maintained here. The recent fine.
weather and the outcoming of thousands of
riders has revived the low spirits. and BIZ
the past week. The experience of last year
and former years placed the consideration
Of anything but the best in the line of a
cycle track and cycle races out of the uues-
ton. On all sides where the movement was
discussed it was only on the basis of a
first-class third-of-a-mile cement track
with ample grand stands and ali the facili-
ties for training and caring for riders and
patrons that are to be found at any of the
best tracks in the country
This quiet discussion crystalIized into a
meeting last night held in the private Of
flee of President Hay of the Hay & Will
Its Manufacturing Company. There were
present representatives of most of the large
cycle stores and manufacturers and also
representatives of the chain companies and
other business men. A. c. Newly, chair
man of the indianapolis Chain and Stamp
ing Company, stated that he had a site for
track and athletic park in view which
could be bought now at a very low price.
1t would be large enough for q track of
the desired size, for all the conVeniences
necessary for a first-class athletic club in
eIualng a ned for sports such as baseball,
football and tennis. The ground is inside
the city limits and of easy access There
are also several other equally desirable
sites which meet all the requirements
II was SHOWN to be the sense of the meet
ing that II the movement were entered upon
IL De with the intention of forming an ath-
letic club where all field sports could be
INDUCED in and where there could be some
indoor sports, such as bowling. 1t was
agreed that if undertaken it should be on
large scale, SO that the park and club
would become a pride TO the city and would
be place where merchant or other mem
Der of the club could take his friends from
out of the city to enjoy an afternoon or
evening, even though there were no bicycle
races scheduled for the time.
The necessity for prompt action il any,
thing is to be accomplished this season
was apparent to ALL for it will be neces
sary to get a date and sanction soon if the
city is TO get in the national circuit this
year. There is also a desire that Indian
apolis secure the National L. A w meet
of 1898. 1t win be held this year In Pbiie
delphia in August. BY. that time it was
argued Indianapolis would be able 10 renre
sent that ii had the finest track in mo
country and one of the most beautifuI
parks in connection Herewith for the en-
terta1ment of visitors. The national meet
of ne, year will bring 20. 600 visitors to the
city occurring il. and those present last
night seemed to think that Indianapolis
would be successful If a track be built
The meet must, according to custom, come
West 1t was at Louisville last year and