Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-18
S ME CYCLE CHAT

From time to time reports have been cir
culated regarding the erection of new cycle
tracks in the city. but for some reason the
plans fail to mature. For the past two
or three years not season has passed
without one or two rumors of a new track
coming up, but beyond the rumors nothing
substantial could be seen. In 1895 it was
expected that private parties would erect
q track almost in the heart of the CITY, but
the plan went through Then there was
rumors of a party contemplated making a
third-mile track at the Brightwood Driv-
Ing Park for cycle track. But this plan
never materialized. In this case 1t was
expected to place the cycle track inside the
trotting track. Last winter the report be-
came current that several people with
plenty of money behind them contem-
plated getting Van Ness Park tearing
down the historic mansion. and putting on
the site fast Quarter-mile course Moth
ing has ever been done in the matter Only
a few months ago it was ascertained that
company was securing bids for putting a
board track around I'D and r streets This
track was going to be in the nature of an
innovation, with the boards set on end
Now reports come of a big and fast track
that is to be built in the eastern section of
the city. The location is near the eastern
terminal of the Metropolitan railroad, and
1t is rumored that the railroad itself is par
TALLY interested in the deal The protector
OF the new track is Jack Prince, who has
some experience in such matters, and who
last fall started regular series of indoor
races in number of southern cities. The
project fell through, however, when the
season was about half through. Prince is
the party who secured the erection of the
Colosseum in Baltimore. which is partly
an indoor and partly an outdoor track. The
grand stand and portions the outside
are covered with roofing, but the track is
unprotected from the weather. This is done
to permit records established on the track
to be known as outdoor records. For the
winter season the track can be covered,
and indoor racing held 1t is understood
that the erection of such a track is con-
templated in this city.
Attention is called to a queer way in
which league hotels are selected by the Off
Gals of the local division. A local wheel
man in recent trip up the Shenandoah
valley stopped over night at Woodmont
In the local road book of the league
certain hotel is named, and the rider was
going to proceed to this place, when
friend informed him that there was an
other league hotel in the town, where bet
ter service and better accommodations
could be secured. He took the friends ad-
vice, and found the statements to be true.
The proprietor of the place informed the
rider that he had been promised by the
local chief consul to place his name in the
District road book conducting league
hotel but this was never done. He was
true to his part of the agreement, however,
and offered discount rates to all wheelmen
marking of the matter expressed the senti-
nlent that is probably echoed by all league
members. The organization should select
but one hotel in a small country village,
and select one where the service is perfect
ly satisfactory.
The success Of A. c. Moran in defeating
w. G. LeCompte in the twenty-five mile,
paced, match race Tuesday evening, was
gratifying to local wheelmen. The fact
that both riders became mixed up in their
pace, or that both may have sustained
falls, does not deter any from the victory.
The Baltimore man would have been en-
titled to just much credit as the WASH
irgton man had he been successful. The
time of the race, 59:1G 3-5, is rather slow,
nearly seven minutes slower than Counsel
mans time in this city This can probably
be accounted Tor in recovering from the
effect of falls received during the contest.
Just at the present time there is very lit
tie pleasure in road riding. The dust is SO
thick all of the roads leading from the
city that a spin of five or ten miles will
cover the rider with dirt,and transform his
appearance entirely. The slight rain of re-
Gently has not been sufficient to lay the
dust. While there may have been sur
plus waterfall in the early spring, just at
present a good drenching rain would be
welcome thing. The dry spell is beginning
to manifest itself, far cycling is con-
cerned. On the Conduit road, which is sup
posed to be the best road in summer and
winter, the dust is quite bad. The ma
cadam portions of the road are only a lit
tie dusty, but the dirt road that borders
the macadam is SO covered with dust, which
sends a cloud SO thick that 1t cannot
be penetrated by the vision when a horse
trots over it, so closely is the air filled with
the flying particles. On the Tenleytown
road the dust is reported to be anywhere
from three to six inches deep, and this is
not regarded as an eXaggeration. The
other roads leading from the city are in as
equally bad state.
Levant Wheelmen.
At the regular monthly meeting of the
Levant wheelmen last Tuesday, the follow
ing resignati tons of officers were accepted:
Mr.. Charles Graces, president; Mr..
Webb Lindsey. vice president; Mr.. VIM.
Norris, captain. Those elected to fill these
vacancies were: Edward c. Hutchinson,
president: E. P. Hazleton, vice president;
Lee l.. Herrell, captain.
There has been little delay in getting
out the century medals. but by the middle
of next week they will have all been dis
tributed to the survivors.
Marschalk, who received a very painful
accident some weeks ago, while riding on
the Conduit road, is again able to be out
and on his wheel.
Capt. Herrel has inaugurated mid-week-
ly runs, which arc becoming very popular.
Every Wednesday and Friday at 7:3O the
boys take a short spin to some of the su-
burban resorts.
A three days trip to Philadelphia and
Atlantic City is planned for July .. 3 and 4.
The boys will leave on the evening of July
2 and take the train to Philadelphia The
next morning the ride will be made to At
lantic City over the White Horse pike,
where the balance of the day will be spent,
and the morning of the next day. About
noon, July /, the ride back TO Philadelphia
will be made and the train taken for home.
About twenty-five men are expected to turn
out on this run.
Century Cycle Club.
The club made no run last Sunday, but
several members took various trips to diff
ferent points in the vicinity of Washington.
McAnaly, Posey, Monroe and Lieut.. OCon-
nor made run to Camp Alger, and We're
the guests of Sergeant Gray, 7th Reg. Ohio
Volunteers Captain Byrnes and VIM.
Kaufman made a run to Marlboro, Md.
Williams, Stevenson and several of the
Winged Al made a century with the Vesper
Wheelmen of Baltimore. Maher, Galeski,
Fister and Louis Keller, unattached, made