The sun., 1901-12-17
Cycle Racing's Continued Popularity

Cycle Racing's Continued Popularity
Last weeks six days race in Madison
Square Garden demonstrated that the
power Of the bicycle TO attract and en-
terrain and even 10 fill with enthusia asm
and amazement large crowds OF people,
both wheelmen and non-wheelmen,
still exists, In spite of the falling of
during the past year or two in the num-
Der OF wheelmen In this city. The crowds
at the Garden we're well nigh as large
and demonstrative as those OF four or
five years ago, when a six days race
was a novelty among indoor cycling
events. 1t is estimated that not less
than 100, 600 persons, all told. witnessed
the race recently ended; and of these,
hundreds came not for few hours only,
but prepared TO sit up all night in order
that no incident Of the contest might
escape their observation.
The foreigners who entered the race
hoped to sweep all records before
them and to make the American riders
throw up their hands. What was the
result? The English team were sew
enth at the finish; the Germans won moth
ing, and no honors were achieved by
any Of the other foreign champions,
seven in number who, it was believed,
were the best long distance wheelmen
to be found in Europe. They trained
at tho outset to be in excellent cond-
ton. OF the French team, particu-
larry, great things were expected. In
last years race they covered the same
number of miles az the winners, and
they we're thought this year to be fit
for bruising struggle yet before
the end Of the first day the Frenchnen
had enough of il and retired.
lt need be no cause for surprise that
the winners in this years six days race
failed To break the record Of 2.73S miles
established by MILLER and WALLER in
1900 Such races, so far as the COM
petitors are concerned. have become
a matter Of business rather than Of senti-
msnt and glory purely The riders argue
that II a racsscan be-won by travelling
1900 miles, or ASS miles, the distance
covered by WALTHoUR and MCEACHRRN,
Il is iajudiciouB 70 exert themselves TO
the utmost to break records. Fortu-
natoly, however. for the spectators who
desire to see nothing but fast riding, it
h never possible TO tell what speed will
be necessary or what distance will have
to be covered by the winner. for there is
always the chance that lively sprinting
will be indulged in from start Ia finish.
What il the attraction in these long
distance endurance races which induces
wheelmen 40 train hard and mcthOdi-
cally for weeks and months in preparing
20 ride day and night for whole week
in the effort TO winf The comparatively
small sum Of money paid to the viCtnrs
can be only part Of the incentive, But
il must be remembered that 20
professional bicyclist his reputation
is Of practical and continuous value
Those who occupied first. secord and
third positions at the finish of this wears
race. for example, are IN "A position 10
demand good pay for their servioes on
outdoor tracks next season, they will
virtually be able Ia iiA their own sslares
cessful usually receive round sum
Of money from the makers Of the whoels
they use In such contests and ire
qurnily. alec 10y prearrangenruI. some
thing from other souro"s
A. 90 the terrible physical rfrDt uf
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