Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-22
CURRENT CYCLE CHAT.

The performance Of Harry Fixes of Glens
Falls. N. Y, in riding mile in 1:31 during
the past week on the local track gives the
course worldwide prominence for speed
1t has all along been known that the track
was fast, and this has been demonstrated
upon more than one occasion. When E. L.
Wilson established an amateur worlds rec
ord the speed qualities of the wooden oval
were recognized. When Fred Sims estab-
hshed his two worlds records and earned
for himself the title Of 1.-The handicap king"
1t was only additional testimony But the
record made by Eikes eclipses all others
The other records were made by local men,
not so prominently known as racers. Elkes'
reputation as Il rider is almost world wide,
especially in view of his wonderful hour
performance last fail.
The news of the breaking of the hou1
record has been published in the leading
papers all over the country The rivalry
among the crack riders for the honor of
holding the mile record is much greater
than would ordinarily be imagined. 1t is
the most Sought-after honor on the cycle
Faith today, and there are many who look
forward to the time when the distance will
be covered in one minute They predict
that the time is not far off when this will
be accomplished, and in view Of the way
records have been lowered in the past there
seems to be plenty of ground for this rea-
soning. 1t is safe to predict that the on
slaughts against the record will be con-
tfnued with undated vigor, and 1t seems
possible that before the season closes the
time will be brought down to 1.20 or LIS.
When Major Taylor, the dusky rider, GOV.
cred mile in 1.32 and fraction last fall
at the Woodside track, Philadelphia, paced
by quads and CUNTS, that was regarded as
the lowest time possible to obtain with
human pace alone. The Introduction of the
motor cycle opened UP new possibilities for
speed, and the records made this year can
be attributed to this invention which so
far as this country is concerned, was only
introduced last January at the Madison
square Garden six-day' race: When Eddie
McDuffie broke thecreeerd of Major Taylor
and placed the figures at 1.31 % he was
assisted by this sort of pace. and also had
the advantage of q wind shield, rugged up
In the rear of his pacing outfit
Ellees came to Washington determined to
break this record He selected the motor
quad for his pace, Eandr got four good men
to man it. He announced that if he did
not break the record 1.-the first day he
would stay in theJ city and continue his
efforts until successful He felt confident
that he could lower3the time, the only CUES
ton with him being fast enough pace.
There was only one motor on the quad
and he is reported as saying that he would
have four motors put on in order to get
fast enough pace. IN case one would not
be sufficient. iF
having all conditions favorable for his at
temnt There was no wind at ali to offer
resistance, and the sun was lust low
enough in the west to keep from causing
any annoyance. The pacing machine and
the pacing crew We're in excellent condi-
ton, and rode for all they were worth AS
fast as they went they were not able to
shake the plucky rider behind, and he kept
so close behind that it looked as though a
quint was making a ride against time. At
no time during the two exhibitions that
ElkeS gave his tire six inches from
the rear wheel of the quad. The rider did
to have difficulty a all n,
following the pace, and 1t was the opinion
OF the experts present that he could have
gone fully four or five seconds faster had
the pace been equal to the occasion.
In this connection it is amusing and in
teresting to turn back for the space of
only two years. when middle distance rid
Ing was introduced in this country. The
mile in two minutes then sought after.
A report came from Cheyenne that Johnny
Green, a rider of that town, had covered
a mile in 1:33 on a straightaway course.
The announcement of this feat was greeted
with considerable doubt, even when it be-
came known that the straightaway course
was slightly down hill, and the ride was
made when the cyclist had a terrific wind
blowing upon his back In view of events
of the present year the ride of John Green
Is now regarded as possibility, even
though it looked TO be an impossible thing
to ride a mile within that limit at that
time.
Going back to the time Of the high wheel,
a mile in three minutes was regarded as
faSt travelling. 1t might be stated that
when this was done the science of track
building was not near SO perfect as it is at
the present day. Ever since the advent of
the safety the time has been gradually
brought down, and the records made by
the great Arthur A. Zimmerman, compared
with the time made at this day, are ex-
tremely slow. Last season it was the am
bition of the middle distance riders to
make a mile in 1.35 behind pace, and while
1t claimed could do 1T n
this time, the actual feat was never per-
formed.
1t has taken possibly over five years to
reduce the record from three minutes to
1.31 for the mile If this rate OF reduc-
ton continues it will be only a short time
before the minute mark Is reached. The
limit of possibilities with human pace alone
has been reached. The motor cycle pace
has just been inaugurated. and very sue
cessfully, too. What are its future possi-
bilities?
Rain again interfered with the West Dent
race meet the second time since the orig
inal date was announced. This meet will
be the banner colored meet of the year,
and an unusually large number of entries
are on the program. All of the local col
ored riders are entered, and there is great
rivalry among the contestants. They have
been training faithfully for the ride, and
while there will Undoubtedly be much
amusement at the affair." there Will also be
some good riding b'S'
Speaking or fast time brings TO mind the
speed that some of sthe riders at this meet
have acquired. One of 1.-THE entrants. who
stands good showfat winning the cham
pionship race, stated to some OF his friends
that he made the sprint In the last twelfth
of mile sin Nottingham is, he was
going fast the timers were unable to
snap him as he crossed the tape.
Griffin Halstead, the son Of Murat Hal
stead, who came TO be- great rival of
Fred Schade in the local cycling world,
announces that he will race no more. Hal
stead is said to have made the statement
that he secured enough honor by means Of
his limbs, and now he was trying to secure
some honor by using his head, meaning
that he intended to settle down to hard
work. For several years past he has been
employed as chief of pages in the House of
Representatives. and last year was among
the bunch of amateurs transferred to the
professional class by Chairman Albert
Mott While training for professional
events Halstead received a fall which Sc
vereiy injured him, and which prevented
him from continuing in the racing game for
the balance of the season. The early mart