The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-30
NOTES OF SPORTS.
Shafcr Was Making n Good Thing Ont
Michael.

Cycling men all over the country are
CLOSELY watching the career or httle
Jimmy Michael. the Welsh midget, who
is the worlds champion paced rider at
the middle distances. Michael TOOK n
notion a few months ago that he would
like 10 take up horse racing as a Jockey
and Mike Dryer. the ~wcil-known turf
man. believed that If Michael could learn
10 ride ne would be all right. as he was
very strong and could ride as a hght-
weight. and would probably be q good
Judge OF distance. So the turiman told
Jimmy 10 come 10 the Gravesend track
and practice with some OF his horses.
The midget did as SIr. Dwyor requested.
and Il is reported hat he Is getting quite
a good idea or saddle work.
Among those who were watching
Jimmy's work at the horse race track
none are more anxious about the out
come thar David Shafer. manager and
trainer Of Michael I'm his bicycle races.
Shafer picked Michael mp and has made
a good thing from his track work. get
ting. IL Is reported. one-halt OF Michaels
earnings. Michaels success was OWING
almost entirely 10 his own abilities. he
being a successful racer before Shafer
ever saw him.
Last year Michael's earnings were
pretty big. and there was likely 70 be a
much greater demand for bis services
the coming season than ever before. ana
II looked as II Shafer would be the king
bee Of the Iicycle racing game. But n
Michael takes I'D horse racing he VIII
not need to snlit his earningH with
Shafer. and Is likely 10 drop Dave ana
60 IN FOR himself. rs it is probable mar
tn, foxev little Welshman has tumhled
t. -. fact that Shafer has MIN for too
nj ch Z: @ good thing.
Nm XorL Qxnnrf on feet tells us
that active exercise helps the foot
Skating and bicycling are particularly
commended, as they teach the art OF
resting the weight OF the body upon the
bali Of the foot rather than the heel.
The bicyclists must, however. be warn
ed against a tendency TO toe in. rms
IS very marked IN racing bicyclists'
whose feet are often practically deform-
ed.
4 statistician who wanted TO know how
much energy IS expended in cycle riding
figured on the basis Of a rider travelling
200 miles AT racing gait on 4 machine
geared TO y. the rider and machine
weighing 10 pounds. As a result OF his
calculations he declares that in such a
performance 5000, 600 pounds Of energy
are extended. or about 20-horse power.
4 fair knowledge of the amount ~ n
terest awakened for trotting in Germany
NAV be EdLNeftU III TIC A'li'NiNE 49,
from Mr.. Christian Schaurte. OF Dussel-
dorf. The field for selling trotting stock
in Germany Is a very bad one, as you
arc probably already aware. Public
betting IS prohibited. and the totaiisator
is allowed only In certain places so that
the difficulties 10 start meetings In new
localities are very great. and, as it seems
unsurmountabie. Berlin and
have their races. but. for a fiourishinS
sport. there should also be lots of httie
meetings all over the country. 10 keep
the interest in trottings alive. As II IS,
~trotting Is cultivated alm0st exclusively
in Berlin and Hamburg. and. even IN
these places. trotting seems to 90 down
mostly from the management or the race
courses. IL would take me too long to
20 into details. but the fact rs there, th1t
t%rotting sport IS on the downward grade
in Germany. and It requires "a great deal
Of energy on the part of the few Ger
man breeders not to drop the thing al
together. 1 really have very little hope
for the future OF this sport In Germany.
4 skilful rider will be able 20 take a
light safety over almost any obstacle
whereas under the same circumstances a
clumsy rider would smash a heavy ma
chine. II IS done by slightly raising the
front wheel as the obstruction is reach-
ed. and the pressing heavily on the
pedals and throwing the weight forward
lust as the front wheel passes over, thus
easing the driving wheel.