Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-19
LOCAL RACING PROSPECTS

Since the opening of the International
Athletic Park in 1896 the racing feature
or bicycling has been furnished to the
Washington public, with it's accountant
ment OF excitement and amusement. After
TWO years of racing it may not be con-
Sldered as having taken a fair hold upon
the public as favorite entertainment
Regarding the International Park, the
same objections exist today that existed at
its opening two years ago. 1t is generally
believed that the place is too far from
the city, but this is hardly the real cause
In other cities the tracks are located even
farther away form the center of the town,
and the same objection does not exist
Berkeley Oval, che Of the most famous
tracks In the country, is a good sample
and SO is the Willow Grove track at Phil
adeiphia The trouble with the Interna-
uonal Park is not account of its dis
lance from the city, so much as on account
OF the poor facilities afforded for reach
ing it. This, in the mind of those who
know, is regarded as the real source Of all
troupie.
The Great Falls electric road has a mo-
nopoiy on the traffic to the park. and the
promises of a double track have been
made before, but never realized The
promises OF last year regarding better
facilities are now expected to become facts
Tor this year. The railroad facilities have
never been suffcient to meet the demand.
This year seems to present every pros
pect of decided improvement and con-
sequent interest in racing. The road has
recently secured new Superintendent
and he has comre Lced to get it in SPLEEN
Ola shape FOR the anticipated rush of the
coming season tC Glen Echo and the park
Inc contract for ballasting the whole line
with rock and bringing it to grade has
been executed. Except a small norton of
the line, where there are several bridges
the remainder Of the road will be double
tracked.
At the park itself a number of improve
ments will be made. Last season ii ham
peLed that several meets were spoilad by
PAD weather, and this year such a difficulty
VIII be avoided. The dirt of the track
would absorb the water ard render ia ST
riding impossible The management rec
cgntzes that the track must have a more
durable and permanent surface and have
decided TO remedy the present one by lay
ing cement Or beard track on tn, pres-
ent One-third mile foundation II is most
likely that board track will be chosen
on account OF its speed qualities. With
such a surface rain will not be a cause
or postponement, as the slant causes if 10
dry Off very rapidly.
With satisfactory service to the place
for the general public and a new and more
speedy surface for the riders, there ought
to be a number of successful meets 6uring
the coming season. The riders themselves
will also be glad to have the improve
nents SO as TO be enabled to train on the
track upon which they will race, very
important matter TO the racer ALREADY
activity has commenced for a meet One
of the cycle clubs is negotiating for the
park for Decoration day, intending, to hold
big meet and run off a ffty-mile race.
part of which will be over the Conduit
road, finishing the last five miles on the
track. The eariness of the preparations
may show the intention of having a big
event
As to the different meets, it is somewhat
early for the clubs to take the matter I'D
ofnclally, but 1t Is to be hoped that they
will assist IN keeping the bicycle racing
and their own glory to the fore in the Dis
trict sports. The two dates assigned on
the grand circuit of the National Cycle
Track Association have not as yet been
taken up, but something will be done in
due time. 1t is unlikely that the local
cycle board of trade, as a body, will give
any meets this year on account of the
feeling created last season.