The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-15
NEWS oFTHE CYCLING WORLD.
A RACE MEET To RE HELD At
THUNDERBOLT DRIVING PARK.


cycle Teaces Held There-The Pro-
gramme Of Races Is Good one.
Many Out-of-Town Riders Expect
ed 10 Compete-About Handle Bars.
Bits of bicycle Gossip.
"A bicycle meet win be held at Doyle's
Driving Park at Thunderbolt next
Saturday afternoon. The htue half
mile track has been the scene Of
many exciting horse races ana some
Of the best trotters and runners
in the country have raced there at times
but never has there been bicycle race
there before.
True Jack Prince, the old time profes-
sional bicycle rider. did ride several races
against Claymore, Jr.. one Of Mr.. Doyle's
fastest trotters, few years ago, but
this could not be considered a bicycle race.
Prince rode on a board track three feet
wide just outside the inside fence and Won
all his races, though in one Of them he
came near being beaten out by the same
little trotter.
The coming races viii be under The
management of I. L. Kinsey, Jr., the we'll
known professional rider Of Savannah.
<insey VIII have the track rolled hard ard
il IS his opinion that good racing can be
had on a hard clay track, such as the
Thunderbolt park is,
The following is the programme Of races
and the list Of prizes;
First Race-One mile novice. First
prize, pair tires, value s.; second prize.
bicycle saddle. value $3.50.
Second Race-Half mile open. First
prize, bicycle lamp and a silver ring ard
bicycle saddle, value $50; second prize,
racing saddle, value 50.
Third Raee-One mile, for boys under 16
years. First prize, bicycle lamp value 50;
second prize, pair shoes, value 81; third
prize, box candy value 81.
Fourth Race-One mile, 2:4G class. First
prize, bicycle brake and special saddle
value $3.50; second prize bicycle saddle
valee 3e5.
Fifth Race-Quarter mile dash First
prize. pair tires, value S.; second prize,
pair bicycle hose and twenty soda water
tickets.
Sixth Event-Fancy trick riding, by W.
H Connery.
Seventh Race-Flve mile open. First
prize, pair 6res. value $40; second prize
bicycle lamp and bicycle saddle, value Sc
third prize, bicycle lamp, value $50;
fourth prize, eyclomter, value 81.
The entry list to the class events were
10 have closed yesterday, but It is thought
that II entries are rendered Immediately
they will be received, A number of en-
tries have already been made. and Man
ager Kinsey does not anticipate any trou-
bic in getting a good number of riders
Entries to the open events will be receiv-
ed up to May 20 at noon. The entrance
fee is Is cents.
Hy Thompson, the speedy young rider
of Jacksonville, who rode rings around
the Savannah boys in the races held here
several weeks ago, Will probably enter
Thompson is one Of the fastest young
riders in the country, ard if he follows
racing this season he ought to rank well
up with the amateurs. Frank Powers,
Kinseys old rival, may also be here, be-
sides Jones, another Florida crack.
l.. l.. Bright, one of Macon's fast anna
!. tours, has signifed his intention of enter
ing Epperson ana Jones of Macon may
also come, besides other riders from near
by towns.
All OF The local riders who are in train
ing are expected to enter. The riders have
not done much work in exhibition this sea-
son as yet, but those who have watched
some of last seasons riders and some who
did not ride last season in private know
that they are capable of making fast time
The Savannah boys will have their hands
full with the out-of-town riders. but they
expect to keep a'good share of the prizes
at home.
Probably very few people In Savannah
know that Hone Connery is a trick rider
The youHgster has never made any preten-
sions to trick riding and has never per-
formed IN exhibition, but he can do some
difficult tricks on wheel.
There Is not the interest In cycling now
that there was this time last season. This
Is true as regards wheeling in general, for
pleasure, in racing circles and in the trade.
At this time last year bicycle clubs ga
lore were being organized and everybody
was preparing for a big season OF wheel
8ng. business was brisk with the dealers
and wheels We're being sold blythe dozens.
There We're track races and roadrraces and
match races and the rivalry among the
riders was great Altogether, everybody
seemed to he intensely enthusiastic on the
subject of wheeling. It was the sole topic
of conversation, even.
There may be several causes for the APP
parent lack of interest In the sport at
present The war Is mentioned as one of
them, and there is no doubt, the scrap
with the Dons Is hurting bicycling as
sport, and in a business way. People con-
tinue to ride wheels of course, but only
because they help themselves by doing So
The racing season in the North, East
and West has not commenced yet, but
the plans that are being made. especially
IT. the big Eastern cities. would seem 20
indicate that prosperous season is looked
for. There viii stin be the old heat races,
but match races and long-distance events
will undoubtedly have the call.
Dale avenue, the new road TO Thunder
bolt, is not used a great deal by the wheel
men, though il has become popular with
some riders. The road proper Is the finest
around Savannah. and the ride to Thun-
derbolt is a delightful spin, The only I'M
pleasant feature of a ride on Dale avenue
is the lack of shade trees, but this IL
only felt during the heat OF the day, ana
the thoroughbred cyclist viii not mind a
little heat at best. Leading, as II does.
10 a popular resort Dale avenue ought to
he much used during the summer riding
season,