Evening star., 1898-03-19
som CYCLE CHAT

The registration of racers has COM
menced, and the working of the new
scheme will be awaited with interest. At
the recent meeting of the national assem-
bly, an amendment to the constitution was
was adopted, or rather to the racing rules,
providing for the registration of all pro-
fessional riders, the cost of the same being
81 per head. During the week Chairman
Mott of the racing board issued the fol-
lowing notice: Registration cards have
now oeen distributed to the members of the
racing board, and they are prepared to
register racing men on receipt of applica-
ton accompanied by the fee of S. Racing
men residing in New Jersey, Pennsyl-
yania, Maryland. Delaware, District of CO.
lunbia Virginia and North and South
Carolina will register with Albert Mott,
Park Heights, near Kate avenue, Balti-
more.
None of the unregistered men will be
allowed to race. The riders will have to
carry cards with them, after the manner
of the members of some of the unions Of
organized labor. If their eligibility to ride is
questioned they will have to produce their
cards. which will be the open sesame. The
riders who go ahead without fOrmality of
having registered are very apt to find
themselves in muddle The bans of sus-
pension will be placed upon them, and they
will be practically barred from racing at
any track in the country, or at least the
reputable tracks.
In connection with this matter an inter-
esting question arises. There are very few
coiored riders of any note. In fact, the
only one is Major Taylor. the cOlored sprin-
ter of Massachusetts. He will apply for
registration, but as the League of Ameri-
can Wheelmen draws the color line his ap-
plication may be refused. This will tend
to bar him permanently from the track.
On the other hand, to evade the decision
he can apply for admission to the Cana
ian vx-hi iah
NOT uraw the color line. Owing to an agree
ment between the Canadian association
and the League of American Wheelmen
the colored rider would have to be given
the privilege of riding in race meets. The
question has not been decided one way or
the other.
Attention may be called to the really
surprising condition of some of the Vir-
ginia ro ads surrounding the city. For
many years the condition of the roads of
Virginia has been almost synonymous with
wretchedness. but this Is hardly applica-
bic just al present. Indeed, if anything,
the roads of the state in this vicinity are
better than the roads within the same sec
ton of Maryland. For this season Of the
year the highways of the old dominion
state are fine, and short ride would prove
the statement. Some of the roads which
one might expect to find good may prove
a little disappointing. but the back roads
are far better than they were some years
ago. The improvements that have been
made. while not amounting to anything
great for single year, are beginning to
show up.
As an illustration of the way things are
going the following serves well: The
stretch of road between Langley and Lew
irsville. which four or five years ago was
n arked vile. is today good. A northern
man settled in the vicinity. and he knew
little about road building. He secured
consent of the proper authorities to at
tend to the repair of that section of the
states highways, devoting his attention
to that one particular road, which is about
three miles in length. Under his direction
the improvements made are excellent, and
far better appreciated by those who re-
1t is equal to any pike in this section of
the country.
A resident of Newburg, N. r., has de-
vised a scheme to have an adjustable track.
Portable would probably be a better word.
A patent has been granted to him for his
device. Hic track is composed of metal
and wood and has an arrangement for
regulating the pitch of the banking to suit
the speed requirements of the track. By
means of the Tightening of loosening of
bolts. the course can be made fat or
almost vertical. the track manager may
desire. In addition TO this advantage
number of steam pipes run around the
course so that If used for outdoor racing
in winter time. by a circulation of steam
or hot water all OF the snow and ice on
the track can be melted, and the track kept
clear. Furthermore the track can be
taken down and put up whenever desired.
| and the Same grounds can be used for
other purposes
The construction OF the track, in the
ords of the inventor. is described as fol-
lows: The metal plates are first placed
upon the ground extending across the
course OF the track. These plates act as
siifs for carrying the weight Of the track.
and arc placed at distances apart along
the course of the track equal to the
( length OF the plates of which the Sec
tons are composed. These plates arc
formed with holes In their centers or
notches extending from the edge to the
center. The notches receive the vertical
pests. which support the cross timbers
carrying the track. These posts have
screw bolts. and can be adjusted 90 as to