The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-26
RECORD WILL Be BROKEN
First Twenty-Four-Hour Bike
Race on the Coast.
IT is KEENLY CONTESTED
All but Ginam, OF the Six-Day Riders,
Are in the Racs-No Lack of En-
thusiasm Among Spectators
When Start Was Made.

San Francisco, Feb. 25.-The first "a
hour bike race ever held on the Pacific
coast was started tonight at the Me-
chanics' pavilion with Is starters at the
tape. The starters include all the rid
ers who rode in the recent six-day race.
with the exception of Gimm, who is
still confined to his room suffering from
very mysterious malady. In addition
to the six-day race men are two Cali
fornians of note, namely, William G.
Furman Of Los Angeles and Charles
Kraft, the champion road rider of the
Pacific coast, both of whom are men,
bers of the Bay City Wheelmen of this
city.
The Californians make their debut in
long-distance racing, and as each have
made enviable regulations as cyclists
in this state, they have many support
ers for places at the finish of the con-
test, but the superior condition and the
experience of the old-timers will prob
ably tell upon them when it comes to
the last half of the contest.
The pavilion was crowded tonight as
the 24-hour race was looked up to be
the browning feature of the two weeks
indoor racing. 1t is certain that the
24-hour record will be broken, as the
track Is the fastest indoor course ever
constructed and the air here is better
than in the East, as result of which
the riders can make much better time
with less fatigue than anywhere else
IN the country. There is quite sum
of money going up on the contest,
Pierce, Waller and Chapman being
liked by the talent. Prior to the start
ing of the 24-hour contest there were
keenly contested mile handicap races,
professional and amateur. The re-
suits were as follows: One mile hand
leap, professional, Hardy Downing San
Jose as yards) won; Charles s. Wells,
San Francisco Goo yards), second: Ed
die Leoner, Buffalo $50 yards), third;
time, 2:06 One mile handicap anna
teur, r. Robinson (4U), won; Eames
(65), second; Mcneil (100), third; time,
2:122-5.
Charles Kraft of San Francisco at
the last moment decided to withdraw
from the contest, and W. G. Furman
had never really entered, SO the an
nouncement of his intention to start
was erroneous. The following riders
started in the 24-hour race which was
begun at 1927 p. M: Waller, Pierce,
Albert, Lawson, Nawn. Miller, Aronson,
Hale, Julius, Fredericks, Turville, Ste
Nens, Chapman, Barnaby, Ashinger and
Pill6ington. ~
AS soon as the start was fairly ac-
complished there was no lack of en-
thusiasm on the part of the speeta-
tors. Miller took the lead in the first
mile, which was ridden in 1925. 1t is
understood that Miller is not in the
contest ito stay, but that he will ride
at intervals during the race Miller
acknowledges that "a hours riding is
not his forte. but his presence will en-
liven the long ride. although there is
some grumbling among the riders be-
cause of his supposed intention to quit
periodically. and, refreshed, to return
to the track and ride the steady wheel
men off their feet
Teddy Hale dropped out during the
second mile for a few seconds, but re-
turned to the track and received great
applause. Hale is plainly SICK but says
he will stick it out as long as possible.
All of the contestants rode better than
a 2:30 gait during the first hour.