Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-10-19
SPORTING NEWS
THE SIX. STATES RIDE.
Bicyclsts Who Started in Brattlt bOrO
Reached New Jersey in 21 Hours.

Distance Covered Was 23O Miles, FIn-
i.hed In Good Condition, Although the
Roads Were Muddy and They Met with
Two Accidents.
Robert NJ. Alexander and Fred T. Reid.
two well known long distance bicycle riders
of Hartford, Conn, arrived home from
New York on the noon express SATURDAY..
after having completed a tandem trip of
230 miles through six states, establishing a
new interstate record for the distance.
The start was made at Brattleboro at
midnight, Thursday, and the riders on
their long journey over rain soaked roads
passed through the 81 ates of Vermont, New
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut,
New York and New jersey, winding up
the trip at Weehawken. The men were
mounted on an Orient tandem, which was
fitted with new tires and chains for the
ride.
Although the trip was made in record
breaking time the sturdy pedalers encount-
cred many obstacles on the road and they
were forced TO walk long distances several
times on account of the condition of the
thoroughfares, which we're in a deplorable
state after the heavy rains in the early
part of the week. The first delay was at
Northampton, where about 30 minutes
were lost on account of one of the tires
creeping, and again at Meriden a puncture
put the men back nearly an hour.
The heaviest roads were encountered
north of Hartford, but after this city was
passed the riders were more favored and
fairly flew over the ground on the way to
Weehawken. The team ran amuck in
Massachusetts,, striking cornfeld in their
path al Deerfeld, and were forced to walk
to Hatfield, distance of about four miles.
Alexander and Reid alternated in push
ing their machine along through the ruts
of the field, while one walked behind and
took a slight respite from their task of
pedaling.
Again at Harlem bridge, just before the
metropolis was reached, the road was all
torn up and the cyclists had to amble along
on foot for over mile, but once the asphalt
streets of the city were reached they lost
no time in getting TO the Forty second
street ferry and crossing the river to Wee
hawken, where the ride was brought to an
end. The men returned to New York and
passed the night there, leaving for home
on the 9.04 train. 1t was just when the
tandem was pushed on shore at the Wee
hawken slip, making the total time for the
run just 81 hours.
Alexander, when seen by reporter, said
that both he and his mate experienced no
i'll effects from the ride and both felt in fine
|fettle after shower bath and good rub
down, But, he said, it was late in the sea-
son for long trips of this nature and as the
roads were being repaired in many of the
|fural districts it made travelling for the
'cycst anything but pleasant work. Then,
TOO, the rains of the past few days had COM
'pletely washed away portions of roadways,
necessitating part of the journey being
made on foot. 1t is probable that the rec
Crd made by the team will stand for some
'time, as the difficulties to be encountered
u making it, especially at this time of the
year, are enough to phase more than one
hardy wheelman who is out for records.