New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
REVIVAL IN WHEELING is POSITIVE
RACING SEASON BEGINS AT
VAILSBURG TO-DAY.

The last week has demonstrated that the revival
of interest In wheeling in this district Is positive
The dealers and manufacturers have for some time
maintained that the demand for new wheels was
far in excess OF that for the last two years. but
the turnout of enthusiasts recently has demon
strated beyond further dispute that the wheel is
popular ever Some votaries have gone TO
other sports and recreatons, but their places ap-
pear TO have been filed by others who are just
beginning TO realize the delights of healthful exer-
else in the open air. With good weather to-day.
and It is promised. the chances are that there will
9e an even larger 3utpourns OF WnseImen IN this ms
thousands out fairly astonished even the veterans
All of the roads are in excellent condition. and
while not many regular club announced
for the day many impromptu runs will be ar
ride through Central and Prospect parks Yesterday
showed that many of the early flowers and shrubs
are in bloom and that the discomforts of winter
and backward spring have disappeared The
nolias and japanese ounces In some districts the
liiacs coming out. adding fragrance and
city folks at this time Even the dirt roads have
dried out. so that the wheelmen who wish to tour
into the country to-day go in almost any direc
on and be reasonably certain to find the wheeling
conditions good.
Clubs and promoters are getting ready for
active racing season. College men are hard at
work for the intercollegiate championships. which
will be held at Berkeley Oval this year. Hundreds
of riders have also begun their preliminary work
at the Manhattan Beach and Vailsburg tracks. 1t
is doubtful If many meets will be held at Ambrose
Park this year. A track has Just been finished
at Hoboken, which the owners claim will prove to
be one of the fastest i'm the country 1t was de-
cided at the last minute TO open the Sunday racing
season at the Vailsburg track, at Newark. to-day.
The contests will begin at 2:S0 m and the entries
will be received the track, the handicaps being
arranged the entries received. This is
innovation In cycle racing in this district. The
track has been entirely rebuilt, the structure
being much faster than the old track. according
the riders who have tried it, The feature Of the
meet to-day will be q ten mile open contest for
amateurs, paced. with prizes for the leaders at
different distances
Those who have closely watched the preliminary
work of the more less we'll known riders far
this year OF the opinion that Walthour gives
promise of being of the strongest In the
middle distance paced game for the year. Walthour
has been doing fast work in the South. and his
friends to think that he will be able to show
his wheel to most of the men who make this
sort of racing their speciality. His admirers have
expressed the belief that Walthour will beat Stn-
son and Nelson. and that he will give Elkes
of his best races OF the year. According to the
people, little Michael has not lost his fond
ness for the racehorseS, and the little fellow will
use the profits of the cycle racing season to make
another attempt on the running turf. Michael be-
lieves that he will yet make good jockey. Me
Farland will follow sprint racing for time. but
expects to begin middle distance racing behind
abroad the likely sprnters among the pro-
fessionals are Kramer, Cooper, kimball and Nc
Farland. 1t is believed that either Bald or
Gardiner will do much racing this year. Among
work this year Schoheld, Schrfber, La Due,
Van Cott. and Dan Sullivan, of the Dwight
School.
The Harlem Wheemen will have their annual
minstrel show May 13 The club will have its
first next Sunday. to City Island.