The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-01
A Feat and Its Significance.

Further proof that great things can be
accomplished in the way Of physical endur-
anoe by q man who knows how to go about
them is furnished by the performance Of
TEDDY" EDWARDS, known to the knowing
as q consecutive century bicyclist." ED
YARDS set out at midnight on the 81st Of
last December with the intention OF wheel
ing one hundred miles every, day during
the present year. He had completed his
250th century when an attack Of typhoid
fever compelled him to stop riding. His
achievement, however, was sufficient to
illustrate the wonderful possibilities Of the
human body when properly trained and
sensibly and methodically exercised.
EDWARDS began his task with q clear un-
~derstanding Of his own strength and copdi-
ton, and Of the pace he must maintain each
day in order to complete his work. Ofevery
twenty-four hours he allowed himself four
teen in which to ride. When he felt dis
posed to scorch along for an hour or two at
a flfteep-mile speed, he did so, and when he
didn't care to exert himself actively he rode
at a pace slow enough to arouse a "cen-
fury" ambition In the slowest pedaller.
Usually, however, eleven miles an hour was
his average, and his spare time was de-
voted to rest. The monotony Of riding day
after day was greatly lessened by his prac-
tice Of taking as often as possible roads
with which he was not familiar. That
course enabled him to discover new at
fractions on every trip. Between his rides
he found time to read the newspapers and
associate with friends.
IT, - 49, As-oz % r~r-a.~-t1 I.A--
which lasted seventeen days, he had not
broken the continuous century record for
one year. In order to do that he had to
make four more 1O0-mile uns. His recov-
cry from the fever was so rapid n COM
plete that he desired to make up the sew
enteen centuries and finish the year with
1856. Friends persuaded him not TODD so,
and he has decided to discontinue his eff
forts after his 260th ride.
For the purpose of ascertaining the effect
that these eight months Of hard cycling had
produced Upon the organs Of his body, Ed
WARDS was carefully examined by an ex-
pert physician. He said 1 was as sound
as a dollar" AYERS the champion, land that
the doctor in Buffalo who said / had en-
largement of the heart, ~valvular trouble of
Tue IedTU, anu Ill uudL, WAS WIRING. ne UOlu
me I was the best recovered case of typhoid
he ever saw and that 1 could go right along
IL / chose"
Obviously there is a great distinction be-
tween q six days ride and one Of the sort
described. 1t is by no means certain that
a man who, with previous training and
good care, might hold out during a week of
almost continuous cycling, would not col
lapse utterly II he attempted to ride a CEN
fury every day in the year. On the other
hand, EDwARDs's ability to break the six
days record in Madison Square Garden
e week is questionable. Nevertheless,
the fact that he succeeded in wheeling
25, miles in two hundred and fifty days,
without any %perceptible injury to his con
stitution, is Of interest as showing that ex-
traordinary tests Of mans endurance are
not likely to prove dangerous to persons
OF SOUND physique.