The Worcester spy., 1898-10-18

Boston, Oct. 1.-THE New York and
Boston cycle road record was badly
shattered today by A. M. Curtis of
the Meriden Wheel club of Meriden,
Ct, and by James j. Casey, who rides
under the colors of the Vernon Cycle
club of Worcester.
Each rider cut a big slice from the
former record. but Curtis performance
was the better by nearly an hour and
half. Curtis left the New York city
hall at 1890 o'clock this morning and
at two minutes past seven o'clock to-
night he pulled up in front of the nu-
nicipal building here. His riding time
had therefore been IS hours and half
to be exact Is hours, 80 minutes.
James j. Casey, the Worcester wheel
man, who had been busily engaged all
day upon a similar mission was not so
successful Casey's performance was
most ereditable. but unfortunately is
overshadowed and thus largely lost
sight of by Curtis better time. The
representative of the Vernon club con-
sumed 19 hours and So minutes upon
the long journey of 262 miles
If the times made by the rival riders
are allowed by the Century Road club,
each will be the holder of champion
title To Curtis will go the amateur
road record, as well as the time record
for the distance. Casey, on the other
hand, will be recognized as the profess
sional champion for the course. A
popular impression prevails that the
present record holder is w. F. Taylor
of Norwood, who did the distance In %
a. cd frs1n NIT Ant
Taylor'S record has never been recog-
nized by the road club officials, hence,
technically, at least, 1T is Mrs. Allen,
rather than Taylor who is dethroned
Considerable doubt however, is ex-
pressed in cycling circles here tonight
as to whether one Of the records will
be accepted. There has been an ugly
story afloat in the club rooms that
Frank Benway, q Vernon rider, saw
Curtis being pulled up hill near Pal
mer with ropes attached to the tandem,
while still another story has it that
there are a dozen people who are will
ing to testify that the Meriden rider
received material assistance from a
trolley car while climbing the long
Spencer hill. These stories are hardly
plausible for it does not seem as
be willing to jeopardize his standing
by resorting to any such unsportman-
like tactics.
The stories have reached the ears of
Secretary A. w. Pease of the Massa-
chusetts division of the road club. Nat
urallN he was unwilling to talk on the
matter He admitted that he had heard
the stories and said before any record
was allowed that strict investigation
would be made. Further than this
Secretary Pease would not talk, and the
stories are published here for what they
are worth.
OF course the two men had similar
weather conditions, so no excuses can
be allowed upon this score. Both rid
ers say the roads were in fine condition
most of the way, but there was wind
that bothered the men and made thel
ride even more arduous than otherwise
it would have been From New Haven't
through Hartford and Springfield and
on to Worcester these two time assas-
sinators had a head wind blowing full
in their faces. The strong wind surely
made a half hours difference in the
riders time.
But good roads and weather condi |
tions are not the only elements of sue
cess in these record breaking attempts. |
There is the ever present elementl
of luck which often has much to do
with the success or failure Of any at |
tempt in the athletic line.
Today the luck was all With Curtis, /
while poor luck seemed to follow I'M
Casey's wake. His own wheel did not
break down, but those of the pacemak- |
ers frequently went wrong. at times de-
laying the Worcester rider and at 9TH
ers causing him to ride on alone.
The value of fast, experienced pace
makers, and plenty Of them, was never
better illustrated than in today's trials. |
Curtis had the better pace for the ma
jority of the way and it is to this fact
that his success is in a measure due |
Not only was the pace of the Meriden