New-York tribune., 1902-01-01
SPyogRgIS
9poRT>r1fN'
FIRST BICYCLE RACE.
ANNUAL CONTEST TO YoNKERs AND
TARRYTOWN STARTED AT MIDNIGHT
A RACE TO CONEY ISLAND.

Many of the hardy road riders about New-York
have been preparing for several days to take part
in one of the three races which took place last
night. While all OF them the old year out
standing on the ground. they in their saddles
speeding away to someSs special point on the birth
of the new The annual race of the Associated
cycling Clubs of New-York started a few sec
onds after midnight at Fifty-ninth-st and Eighth
Most of the officials of the organization were
present, and a mighty cheer went up the pistol
was fired sending the riders off on their trip to
fonkers and Tarrytown. The first rider at
Yonkers received bottle of wine and a medal, and
the same conditions prevailed at Tarrytown. The
clubs to which the riders belonged will receive
banners
Over in Brooklyn there goody number Of
wheelmen present at Bedford Rest. where two
races were started at midnight. While the wind
blew out of the northwest with considerable force,
the riders did not to mind this handicap.
Several of them have made similar trips in a snow
storm The roads last night dry and crisp, and
most Of the riders were confident that they would
make excellent time. Special prizes offered for
the races in Brooklyn well as the one from
Promptly at minute after midnight the wheel
night in their annual ride or race to Yonkers and
Tarrytown. Starter Gerberoux had no trouble in
We're off like the Wind H Y Bedeii the W winner
said that he had an excellent chance to capture
the prize, providing he met with no accidents
pect Wheelmen; J: W. Kelley. Century Road Club
Association; Morris Stafford, Prospect Wheelmen;
AT Calm. Prospect Wheelmen: r. e. Wagner,
Royal ArcanUm Wheelmen; B. Bammerman, Cen
tury Wheelmeni W. q. Rank, Century Wheelmen:
George Gillies, Century Wheemen; r. A. Nandyke.
Century Road Club Association; G, Laurie, Cen
tUry Road Club Association. and H. Mander, Cen
tury Road Club Association.
The first rider arrive at Yonkers Bedell,
30 minutes. Bedeu had A desperate brush with
Calm all the way and beat him out by only ten
seconds.
The vicinity Of Bedford Rest, Brooklyn, always
popular rendezvous for wheelmen In summer, last
night looked If the for bicycle riding had
broken out with startling fury. The Century
Road Club started one race from the Rest 10
Coney Island and return over the Coney Island
Cycle Path at midnight. The distance is about
sixteen miles, and record ride was anticipated
when the thirty-two men were sent on their
journey. Among the starters was Ernest Gerlott
summer On the way down to the island the
wheels seemed fairly to fly, for the riders had the
wind their back and it reported that all
through safely. The return trip was directly
in the teeth OF the gale, and only the seasoned
riders able to keep within sight of the racing
The Coney Island race won by about three
lengths by W. B. Ferguson with Ernest Gerlott
second and G. +. Perden third. The time was
81 minutes. The others struggled in for half an
hour.
held under the auspices of the Century Road Club
Association was started. John NJ Wall was the
starter and most Of the nineteen men who
mounted their wheels racing men the starter
had trouble. Gus Eglon, the twotime winner
OF this race did appear. Among those who did
officials Henry Welt, D. NJ Britton and f.