The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-28
IS THE CENTURY ON THE WANE.
Capt. Ed Byrnes Suggests How the
sport Can he Made Enjoyable.


One of the most enthusiastic road riders
in the city and one who has many centu-
~ bars to show for his active interest in
the sport, is Ed S. Byrnes, former local
centurion of the Century Road Club Of
| America. and the present captain of the
newly organized Columbian wheelmen. He
is always ready and willing TO help along
road riders and his advice has often been
found valuable aid to timid road riders.
When seen last week he gladly gave a
talk on the subject of century riding and
road work generally and his remarks,
which follow, will interest lovers Of the
sport.
The proper way to ride a century" said
Captain Byrnes, lis to take the full time
allowed. which around the District is four
teen consecutive hours. In several Sec
lions Of the country sixteen hours is per-
mltted for one to cover 100 miles. | think
when one has plenty Of time and the road
surface is in fairly good condition both
fourteen and sixteen hours is certainly am
pie time for n wheelman to cover this dis
lance, and then bike-riding a century is
pleasure. Take, for instance. the road from
Washington to Frederick. Leave here. say
at o'clock In the morning. and by not
overexertlng oneself he can reach the Mary
land town by IL 80 a. IN. and with two hours
and q half rest with good dinner, which
latter, in my experience, is characteristic
Of the hotels in Frederick. the wheelman
is then in .;cod shape for the return trip
home, which does not seem near so great
al ~. IL
the day
Il have had the question put to nc
numerous times if | saw any OF the see
merry while on one of these trips. and have
no doubt hundreds Of wheelmen have had
the same query put TO them. and my re-
ply has been always in the affirmative.
Some persons who have never tried this
department OF sport are under the impress
sion that the average century rider ducks
lis head down, and with his hands on a
pair of handle bars. goes scorching along
country road. only seeing the road in
front OF him, and bound to make a certain
place at certain time. The latter, in
some respects, is a fact, but with the
proper attention to your riding, leaving
your mount for heavy hills, and taking
advantage OF all down grades to ride them
a little extra amount Of energy, I can
safely say that anyone, providing they
are in good health, will find century
ride pleasure
Captain Byrnes went on to say that
"some think that, Well he should prac-
tice what he breaches, a3 he has been a
promoter II fast centuries as well as some
long distance race record. " This he ac-
Enowledges is true. but not from choice
but from a sense of duty, for he was in
terested in that branch too. and if the oc-
casion required 1t would the same again.
Personally" he continued. II like good
long tine on all the century runs that |
make and believe the majority of wheel
men are with me on the subject. There is
no question but what century riding around
the District is on the wane. but the reason
/ am unable to give" Nothing the recent
reports OF the centurion for the Maryland
division of the Century Road Club of
he goes on TO say, Il find that
last year in the State OF Maryland century
riding held its own in the way of percent
age for the year, and showed a gratifying
OF affairs. and the same condi-
tons appear in most other parts of the
We will hope that next season
this kind Of sport will come to the front
once more at least among the century rid
ers of Washington. and not overdo it in