The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-09
THE FIRST CENTURY.

"They are all tagged" That was the
cry that greeted the 1872 starters in the
century run as they pedalled along the
highway from Providence 10 Boston
and return.
Each one wore a regular shipping tag
that had printed on it the fact that
this tag must be worn in conspicuous
place, and the statement that was TO be
presented To the checker at Wrentham,
Dedham and Boston. both out and back.
And each rider had his ticket punched
at those points and in this way the tag
was evidence that the rider had full
filled the necessary requirements, had
been at the checking station and, there
fore, had ridden the full distance.
1t was the first century open ever run
out Of Providence. IL was an unqualified
success. one hundred and fifty-two
riders started and 121 finished.
The run was divided into two divi-
sons. The first division started 12s
strong shortly after o'clock. and after
riding 100 miles finished about II hours
later.
The second division, the fast brigade.
had rather different luck. over score
OF riders started shortly after O'Clock
and some six are known TO have fin
ished. More than this number would
have finished, but the Boston police
said may"
After dinner the fast division started
back at 2 p. m. Mowry brothers tandem
again started to make thd pace. follow
ed by Gould and Vinton and mate, ana
several others, who wished TO try to
hold the pace.
The men were warned not to ride
above reasonable pace in the park
ways. AS a matter of fact they had re-
duced the road record and shattered the
fast riding ordinance on the way IN,
despite the fact that several Boston
policemen had frantically waved their
clubs at them.
So on the return trip the good advice
was misplaced. The cortege hit up a
pace that would not do at even the
funeral OF the fastest racing man that
ever lived. But they did not get far.
The parkway police noticed on their
first fleeting meeting with these cyclists
that they were century riders, and from
the big slow division had learned that
they were Providence men, and they
laid low. Several of them grouped
themselves at a convenient spot and as
the fast division hove in sight the bicy-
Gle policemen came from everywhere. A
moment before there had only been the
fast division. but now there was score
of bluecoats closing in on the century
riders. The different men took the
matter in various moods. Vinton ana
his mate had made arrangements TO ride
double century, and he considered
that his plans would miscarry If they
tarried 10 discuss the speed at which
they were riding. so they promptly
charged the barricade and in the excite
ment that followed burst through. Gould
was also in this scrimmage and he like
wise lodged the police. But one or
Boston's fastest racing bicycle cops was
after him in flash. Gould had already
ridden 80 miles and was not i'm condi-
ton TO do his best i'm pursuit race, but
ne did tfle best he could and the crack
bicycle policeman was adtudged dis
tanced by the spectators. In the mean
time Gould had lost his bearings and
was so modest as TO cover a wide cir
cult to avoid receiving any congratula-
tlors on his performance. He finished
In Providence about 6 o'clock and Vim
ton rode his double century without fur
ther mishap.
But the Mowry brothers were held up
They dismounted at the request of the
police and one was led away captive.
The return ride was work for a good
many. but me pace was made 10 accom-
modate the weaker. and they all pulled
through. IL was shortly after o'clock
when 102 cyclists rode up Westminster
street. They were a tired. dusty look
ing lot. But they were happy. for they
had collected n hundred miles and earn
ed Century Road Club souvenir.
As soon as the City Hall was reached
cheers We're given for II. G. Graves. and
as the wheelwomen finished a moment
later they. too. were cheered for their
plucky ride. Within the next few min
utcs large number ~ riders finished
and handed In their tags TO Centurion
Graves and the first century run Cf this
state was successfully terminated.