Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-24

in town Of two hours and five minutes m
which to take dinner. The first half Of the
century will be ridden practically by II
o'clock. while the balance will not be
started until ] o'clock in the afternoon.
According to the annual custom, a road
race Will be held this year on Thanksgiving
day morning over the Conduit road course.
Preparations for the same are already I'M
der way. early rs the date may seem TO
be and the indications are that the race
will prove a successful affair. OF late road
racing has declined wonderfully. so far as
local riding is concerned. and the establish
rnent of track on the Conduit road is re-
garded by many as being very much re-
sponsible for this condition of affairs 1t
seems TO have been the cause of track rae
ing succeeding road racing There was a
time. within the recollection of good
many Wheelmen. when road racing was all
of the rage locally. when the tWentyfOur-
hour American road record was sought
after. and when four or five races of from
ten to twenty and twenty-five miles in
length were held every fall. These races
brought out a large crowd of spectators,
who. while they were only able to see
portion of the event. were highly pleased.
At the finish the crowd used to he great
that the roadway for some distance on
either side of the tape had to be either
rOped off or specially patrolled. and even
this precaution did not avail in a majority
Of cases.
OF late the road racing seems to have
been confined to Thanksgiving day. and
these events have brought out a good at
tendance, both of contestants and specta-
tors. The race this year viii be a ten-mile
affair and will be for amateurs only. 1t
will likewise be a handicap affair. The en-
try blanks TO the race have not as yet been
printed but these will be issued In a few
days and can he secured from the Wash
ingtOn Circle Cycle store. 2125 Pennsylva-
MIA avenue, other bicycle places in town
II is proposed to have a big list of prizes
which Will consist of bicycles and iewelry
There will he inn Driv md
time prize, and likewise a first prize and
second pr.ze. These four prizes will most
likely be bicycles.
An elaborate program a sort of souvenir
Of the occasion. will be printed and dis
trihUted. This will be a great convenience
for the spectators. The start of the race
Will be at the spring just below Glen Echo
and the course will extend I'D as far as the
Anglers club house and return with the
finish in front of Cabin John Bridge Hotel
The riders will be given time handicaps
The limit men will be showed off first, and
Following them Will be the other men in
the order of their handiCapS until the
scratch men are sent off. with the start of
whom the timers Will press their watches
The officials of the race will be selected
from tn" number of those who have had
experience in road races.
So far very few of the clubs have held
their annual road race or track races the
entrance to which Is limited to club mem
hers only. The annual road race of the
iscvant Whccimen has not as yet been run
OF. but 1t is understood that this event is
row under consideration. There is a nat
ural desire to ascertain the club champion
and almost ever since the organization of
the club the road events have been held.
The Altar Cycle Club has also failed to
hold its annual club races The events of
this club consist of three or four races.
sometimes being pulled OFF on the track.
and again on the road. One of the main
races is the club championship race. the
winner of which is entitled to hold the gold
medal until some other rider succeeds In
wrestling IL from him. The Arlington
Wheelmen for the past two years have held
a club road race on the Conduit on Thanks
giving day morning. 1t is quite likely that
this race will be held this year as usual
| though no steps have yet been taken in
that direction. AS soon the club century
! run is disposed of the matter will most
likely come up for consideration and some
action be taken. The distance OF the race is
usually ten miles, and the course, the reg
uar one on the Conduit road, the same as
for the big open race.
So far as the local track racing is con-
cerned nothing definite has been announced
| With the big circuit meet hand no
thought is now given TO other race meets
/ II the weather keeps open It Is likely that
OTHER meets will be given before the close
! o! the season. though nothing definite in
| this direction is yet given out. 1t seems
| quite likely tHat the success of the circuit
meet VIII be n great factor in this direc
| ton. Al any rate. II seems hardly probable
| that the rack will close down without one
or two more meets being given.
! Fred Sims is now on the national circuit.
and Is following the races steadily. He
| past week. and IN the mile open. profess
| s.onal, succeeded In getting third place
| Later ut Philadelphia Billie and Fred en-