The times., 1898-07-17
THE NATIONAL CYCLE MEET
Indianapolis Preparing for the
WheeImen Next Month.
TIE PROGRAM AS ARRANGED
There VIII BE Eight Professional
and Ten Amateur Eyents-Prizes
VIII Aggregate S3.500-A Hundred
Riders Expected TO Start in the
Great American Handicap.

Indianapolis, Ind. JD<y -J-Special.-A
popular subscription Of s. and upward
has been opened for the benefit Of those
who have not had the opportunity 10
assist in the work Of the committee for
the entertainment Of the visiting wheel
men during the national meet The chair
man Of the finance committee. Albert
Sahm. has succeeded in raising consid-
cradle sum for this purpose. but the
amount on hand was no; thought TO be
sufficient. and this means mas been TAX
en- 10 swell the amount. indianapolis
has over 25.0J9 wheelmen. VINO are anx-
ious 10 assist in this wrok The subscriu-
lions are being taken at the Indiana
State Bank.
The Aquatic Club has recently been or
sanized in this city. ana held a swim
ming tournament al Broad Ripple Park
this afternoon. The club expects TO
build 4 hOuseboat in the near future
similar 70 the hOusebOar or the Ridicul-
ous Club. and during the national meet
viii entertain the visitors IN the city at
their new headquarters.
The program Of races for the national
meet. consists Of eighteen races. covering
IN. e- days OF racing, afternoon and
event. Z. with purses aggregating $500.
There viii be eight events for professional
riders and ten for amateurs. The anna
teur championships VIII be run off at trial
heats for the big event Of the meet. the
one-nile amateur championship. The
two riders finishing first and second, in
the One-quarter, one-third, one-half one
mile, and fiye-mile championships. Will
qualify for this race at one mile. This
will allow ten 10 enter the trial for the
one mile. and viii bring out five riders
Tor the final, which viii be run of on the
last day Of the meet.
Another amateur race which is causing
a great deal Of interest is the interstate
pursuit race. This VIII be confined to the
State champions for the one mile. The
multiplet handicap is causing the chair
man of the race committee great deal
OF wOrry. When the race was first ar
ranged he intended that the single wheel
should be given the handicap limit and
the other machines be graded back to the
seNtUDlet- But il is believed by many
racing men that, al two miles distance.
the single wheel has a decided advantage
over the qusds. qUints and sextets which
are unable TO hold up for that distance
at top speed. It viii probably not be de-
ci5ed until the race men arrive, as Chair
man Foltz desires 10 have the handicaps
arranged properly.
The GreHt American Handican
IL Is thought that at least 100 riders
viii be entered for the great American
J. Andicap. which. without doubt, will be
the biggest event ever run at a national
meet one thousand dollars will be
given for this one event. $500 of If roine.
t. the winner. Great pains will be taxi
en- IN making the handicaps and any at
Tempt AT team work viii be promptly al
tended TO by the track officials.
The number Of points with which the
winner Of each Of the three national
championship races will be credited will
practically decide the professional cham
ships for the year. The first place viii
carry with II sixty points with forty.
thirty. twenty and ten, respectively. for
the second. third. fourth and fifth places.
This Is just ten times the number with
which the ordinary circuit rider is cred
tied. and should any one rider be able
10 capture two Of the three events il is
almost a certainty that he viii be the
national champion OF the year.
The international pursuit race viii be
Of decided interest. as il will call out all
the foreign riders in the country. A mid
dle-distance race has been arranged for
the night Of the l2th. Ii has not yet been
definitely decided who these riders will
be. but Chairman Foltz is in correspond
ence with several of the crack riders at
the middle-distance game and the two
= probably be chosen from among Lin
"a. Michael, Taylore, McDuffie. and
aylor.
The visiting wheelmen will have an op-
portunity OF becoming better acquainted
with the good roads governor of In
diana during the time Of their sojourn
here the week Of the meet. Governor
Mount has become well-known through
the country on account of his position
towards good roads and more of them.
lie has always had a strong friendship
for the wheelmen. and has assisted them
as far as IL has been in flis power
While the plan was proposed that In
dianapolis attempt 10 bring the '9S meet
20 this city. Gov. Mount was unable TO
accompany the delegation to Philadel-
phia. but gave his promise that in case Of
their success he would assist as far as
possible in their entertainment. This
promise holds for the whole meet. but
upon the first evening, August 8. ne will
tender a reception 10 all of the visitors
Al the executive headquarters in the
statehouse. At THAI time he viii prob
ably enlarge somewhat upon some of his
plans concerning road improvement, and