The times., 1899-08-06

New York, Aug. 5.-The greatest interest
is already being taken in the amateur ma
tionaI championships to be contested at
the Berkeley Oval track under sanction OF
the National Cycling Association August
g ard 26- The various clubs have been
hustling TO strengthen their teams of late.
The Nassau Wheelmen have captured W.
A. Ruiz, L. c. HaEsman, and George II.
Collett: the Greenwich WheeImen have W
It. Wahrenberger. A. T. Nye. jr-, and a
number of others; the Harlem Wheelmen
have Frank L. Kramer, the present anna
teur champion; J. II. Lake, George Sehreib-
er. and many more; the Kings County
Nhesinen have George Schofield, Charlie
Earl, and George NUM-, and the Riverside
Mheelmea intend training q team especial
ly for these championships. Nailsburg
sends John King young Ross, and party
OF good ones as dark horses Buffalo, Bos
Ton. Philadelphia. and several other cities
viii send delegations OF their best riders.
This VIII be the greatest all-amateur meet
ever scheduled in these United States. and
with every good amateur up in the SIX
championships doubtless the real champion
viii be evolved as all viii be trained 10 the
by the various clubs.
Charles W Miller. the Iong-distance
champion Of the world, viii desert the long
work for the middle distances. This de-
cision vas reached by Miller after his re-
cent return from Europe. His attempts out
at Manhattan Beach track for the one
hundred-mile race have convinced him
that there is an excellent opportunity in
that branch of racing work. i have been
IL. Iona
said he, that / am somewhat tired OF the
strain. II has not injured me in the
slightest ] have the same spirit that
always had, but this shorter game is iar
more attractive TO ne / believe that
can follow pace as fast as any other living
rider with a little practice, and / intend 10
take that practice now. Yes. ] shall go TO
Europe next season. but as ! look upon the
matter now il viii be to compete, in the
middle distances say up 10 one hundred
miles. and not in those long tiresome con-
tests Miller is residing at Sheepshead
Bay. and is daily al work at the Manhattan
Beach track perfecting himself for his ne~
field
In a training race at the woodside Pari
track, Philadelphia. last Friday afternoon
the worlds half-mile handicap competition
record was broken. This important mari
was lowered 10 0-56, the record being
question was a training contest arranged
by f. A. Mcfarland, who Handicapped six
teen riders five yards apart, and who rlaceC
out al I20 yards two OF the trainers. The
agreement for the contest. which was I
sweepstakes affair, included no bar agains
team work. fouling, or, in fact, anythin:
except clubbing a rider from his wheel
The entrants included both amateur ant
professional riders Of the L. A. ". ant
X c. A ranks who are training in com
pany az Woodslde. Orlando Stevens wa
on scratch; Mcfarland. yards; Freeman
10: Lawson, Is; Downing. 20; Kusel, %
Babcock, 80; Munroe 35; Weise Hammer
40: Henzel. IS; McEchern. so: Mayo, 55
Gardiner famateur1, 60; Sloan, 80, an
Juth and BolIes at I2G. Although tn
trainer of y and Stevie, Juth, proved "a
from an adept in team work, for he jumps
away from Bolles and then waited for him
Mcfarland pulled Stevens down the linz
and every man rode as though for his Yer,
life Entering The stretch Stevens Wa
still far from q winner, but with som
wonderful jumps be crossed the tape foo
TO the good OF the bunch. At the close o
this contest Stevens, MeEcheFn, Thomp
son. Freeman and Downing. paced b
turns a training mile IN l:5i, lowering III
best previous training mark for what j
styled a training spin, by four seconds
Each twelfth mile was made in 0:0S 81
as fast as the fastest sprint of the oTdinaT
run Of riders.