The St. Louis Republic., 1902-08-17
GENERAL CYCLING GOSSIP.
Dofngs of the WheeImen Now Fixur
ing on the Circuit.


To prevent any chances of the motor
working after fall the pacemakers for
! the fast bicycle riders now have a scheme
that eliminates any chances of this danger
The man on the rear seat has a string
around his neck which is fastened to a
plug that makes the circuit In the electric
battery. This battery furnishes the spark
FOR exploding the gasoline vapor. In case
or a fall, the rear man naturally tumbIes
OFF his seat and the plug on the end of the
string is certain to come with him. This
Cisconnects the circuit. and the machine
injury to the riders from the whirlins
pedals the plan tends to decrease the cost
Of repairing the machine after falls.
new style of race for bicycle riders
has been tried, and although IT works the
men little harder IL is unqueSIionably
much more spectacular for the general pub
lie. 1t is a lap race. but instead OF the
race being awarded to the man VINO leads
at the end of the most laps, the rules call
for points TO be awarded. The winner OF
each lap is credited with five points, the
second with three points and the third
with one point. 1t will be seen that a man
might not win a lap during the entire race,
yet on the general figuring OF points II
would be proved that ne had the most
spe5d and endurance combined The race
demands a sprint at every lap, and this
furnishes interesting competition for pat
rons OF the sport.
Iver Lawson of the Columbia cycling
team, who returned from Europe last
week had some interesting things 10 tell
of cycle racing across the water. Lawson
offers no excuses for his defeats early
in the season. and is well satisfied with his
trip. That the foreign promoters look
upon him with favor is proved by the fact
that he mas signed to race in Paris in
the fan. Lawson is bitter over the treat
ship race, which was run at Rome. He
scored well enough in the heats to figure
in the semifinal against Btxto, the Italian,
Nd q German
Coming into the home stretch, Arend's
tire exploded and all three riders fell heay-
regain his feet, and grabbed his wheel with
the intention of running with 1t for the
tape. He says one Of the spectators then
stomach. knocking him out completely.
Arend was senseless from the fall Bixio
was carried to the tape by friends and was
spectators. although anxious for their
countryman to win. could not overlook the
Lawson. Some 1000 spectators were in at
tendance
The arrival of 'P.ugger'' Bill Martin
from Australia adds interest to cycle COM
petition. Martin. who is called the Iron
Man. is 42 years old. and has been racing
for some twenty years. He halls from
Lowell. Mass. but has done great deal of
racing in Australia. where he Is considered
the greatest OF riders. Martin won last
years great Austral race with its first prize
VI S<,cJO. ana lnClueHI1Aly aCrDlIS having
won about $50 600 from the bookmakers
Just how much Martin Is worth is not
known He owns two hotels and other
property in Australia and some real estate
in Lowell
The season in Australia begins in Octo-
Der and ends in April. and the racing is
done on asphalt or dirt tracks In Eome
cases. the competition is on grass tracks
a crowd OF 10000 to 1900 is not unusual
and there were S2.oG0 paid admissions for
the last Austral wheel race.
As he has failed to make a success of rae
ing horses. II Is said that Jimmy Micnael
VIII soon return from Europe to enter the
cycle racing game again. After a success
Iul season last year. as a member of the
columbia cycling team, Michael elected to
cross the water and try his skill at riding
horses- he did fairly well, but of late his
mounts nave not been of the best quality
ana he has very often failed to finish within
the money. Iyer Lawson. one of his team
mates last year says Michael can win II
ne Is given the mount good horses.
lawson says further that the dininutive
Neishman has ordered two powerful motor
tandems. which he Is expected to bring over
to this country in the fall.
Eight straight victories are to the credit
OF Albert Champion of the Imperial team.
who seems to be the surprise OF the season
IN bicycle competition The little French
lad has proved that his foreign reputation
was well earned. for during the past two
months he has scored over ali the best
American riders.