The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-24
CRACK WHEELMEN ARE HERE.
BANKER AND OTHER CHAMPIONS
WILL DO SOME RIDING.

Champion of Italy and Champion OF
Holland Are with George Tanker,
Champion of the world. and Vie
tor Brcyer of lie VeIO, the Cycling
Paper Of Pnris-Wi1 Probably Ar
range Races at WheeImen's Park
or ThunderboIt-They VIII Seek to
Recall some of the OId-Time In
terest and Enthusinsm-Tomas
May Go Against IA Horse.
A party of distinguished cyclists came
in yesterday on the City OF Macon. The
members of the party represent four ma
tionalities. and three OF them are cham
pion wheelmen. They will remain here
several days, ana It is quite possible that
they will decide upon a series OF exhibI-
ton events, either to display their indl-
vidual riding or to show what they can
do against one another.
George A. Banker, the champion rider
Of the world, is the American In the
party. He Is showing the sights OF his
native country to his foreign friends. all
OF whom he knew abroad with him
are Nj. Victor Breyer. editor OF lie velo.
the cycling paper OF Paris Giovanni Tom
asselli champion of Italy and II. Meyer
champion of Holland
Than George Banker there Is no better
known rider in America In Savannah he
is remembered by many. as he was here
in 1888 and worked on the track at Wheel
mems Park with Zimmerman, Wheeler
and the other cracks. Since then the
Plttsburg boy has forged right to che
front and L..
to none. The last international meet at
Montreal did the business for him. when
he won the great mile event
Banker came over recently and was ac-
companied by his friends For several
weeks they have been In New York, riding
at Madison Square Garden. They expect
to put In some time on their wheels In
Savannah, as they brought them along,
and are booking out for a chance to keep
In form for some work they expect to get
INTO within a couple of months at the
North. Several of the Northern and East
ern cities are now building amphitheaters
with board tracks, and there will be pien-
~ OF racing when the circuit is finished up.
When that time comes Banker and his
foreign friends want TO be in shape, and
there Is no doubt they will be.
They do not know Just how long they
VIII be In Savannah. 1t will depend large
~ upon the racing and wheeling spirit thew
find here. If Il is dicovered that there is
no chance of arousng interest IN races
the sportsmen VIII doubtless 20 on 10 Jack
sonville, where they will expect better
luck. They believe, though, that there
Will be many who will attend IL they give
exhibitions either at Wheeman's Park or
Thunderbolt
A plan is being formed to have Tomas
SEN or some other OF the riders to go up
against the fastest thing that Doyle or
anybody else has IN the trottlng or pacing
line. Such contest would be inter esting
and would probably draw such a crowd as
the wheelmen would like 10 see
Mr.. Dixie Hines Is an enthusiast For
several years he was connected with one
of the leading wheelmen's papers and his
acquaintance with bicyclsts Is extensive
While abroad Mr.. Hines met NJ Breyer
and the two formed very close attach
ment. During his stay in Savannah NJ
Breyer will be the guest OF MIR. Hines.
II sufficient interest Is shown i'm the
plans of the wheelmen there will doubtless
o others gath ring at Savannah. M. BGey-
er and Mr.. Banker said they had II from
y. Taylore and A. Chapion, the great mid
die distance riders, who are now at Madi-
son Square Garden, that they were anx-
ious 10 come South. If Savannah is alive
for them they will come. Banker may
write the boys to come ahead.
II Is quite possible that the party may
locate here for winter training and prac-
iice. Their plans are by no means definite,
and they are just about as likely TO make Il
Savannah as any other place. II they ce-
eide upon Savannah il is more than Ike y
that there viii be reawakening of the
racing spirit among the local riders.
The visitors would like TO see those who
have done something on the track IN Sa-
vannah get into the thing again Anything
that can be worked up in that ne they
Will give their attention 10, and ID is pos
sible that Kinsey or somebody else may
be backed against some other Georgia
rider. Walthour is said to be in Atlanta
and Robbie would add interest II he SHOULD
come down for a spin. The gathering of
Taylore and Champion. Waltz our and 9TH
ers, with those already here, would seem
like the same old smile, and bring back
something of the wild enthusiasm that
was seen when the cracks Wintered here.