The Washington times., 1908-12-12
STIMULANTS USED
TO SPUR ON RIDERS
All Former Records Are in
Danger, and Men
Ride Hard.

NEW YORK, Dec. 12-Exhaugted by
desperate efforts TO hang 10 a new
worlds record for the si1-day bicvcle
race. the riders in the grueling contest
were forced 10 the use OF drugs today to
enable them TO continue the grind until
the final dash tonight Strychnine, dig
italts. champagne. and black coffee were
freely administered.
The weary riders responded to the
suInuiants Ike magic Furious pedal
ing sent them around the saucer track
In mad dashes and clipped miles from
previous records. So desperate was the
spTintlng that when the teams had
gained nine miles on the -scoId, prac-
lcllly every rider IN the race was on
the verge OF a collapse. Agony showed
IN their faces as they dashed wildly
around the dizzy course. Despite the
$3.50 mSshehed " CONDITION Of the riders, CA
perts predict that the finish .onight
Will see a new worlds record
Inree teams, Rutt and Stol. MacFar-
Ihno and Moran, and Hill and Deuara
s.lt, sle sun ued Ior hrst place, and It now
seems probable that the race will be de-
clded by one-mile sprint at 10 o'clock
tonight At that time ali but the Iead-
ere VIII be ordered from the track
pio.oi ps1io3 snots ana the most exciting mo-
ihent or the long grind will be at hand.
Three Leaders.
Unless an unexpected change in the
position Of the present leaders occurs
between now and then, Water R,1tt.
the sturdy German. who was first across
the tape last year; BIoSd AIacFarIand.
the lanlHy lad from the coast. and Wal
ter Demara, also from the coast, VIII
carry the hopes Of their teammates to
victory or defeat
Rutt is stin the favorits, but Mae
t'arland has a large following and there
Is liberal betting on his chance OF win
ming what has proved to be the greatest
siC-day race in the history Of the sport
A sensational spill, IN which fo11r 20
the riders went down IN a tangled hean
Oh the Madison avenue turn. WAS rba
feature OF the early morning bcurs
was the climax 10 an exciting series
OF sprints which left the riders scarce
Iy able 70 continue their long grind
Nanoni, the plUcSy Italian. who is conn.,
co with Anderson, the Dane. crashed
INTO Frank Calvin, while rounding the
turn Both were thrown headIong over
Ihelr nandIeoars, and in falling, carried
down with them Eddie Root and De-
mara.
Able to Return.
Calvin, unconscious, was carried IN
his quarters. where he was attended
By DR.. C-eamer, <he race physician
Fortunately no bones were broken and
II was announced that he would be
able 20 continue in the race. Four hours
later he appeared on the track TO re-
HeVe his leg weary partner. Wiley, and
was loudly cheered
Mrs. Calvin was in a box at the time
OF the accident and she tainted. but was
quickly revived All Of the Others eg-
capped serious injury Nnd were soon
struggling around the track again. The
fight Of the leaders to gain lap which
at this stage Of the race would mean
victory. has been practically lost sight
OF by the fans"
All interest is centered IN the attempt
70 establish a new record, and the
posting OF the hourly scores. each show
ing gain over the old rrcord, arous-
ed great enthusiasm An attempt early
IN the day by Bobby u althour and
Eddie Root 10 gain the lap which sep
arates them from the leaders was the
forerunner Of a series OF record-break-
Ing sprints which kept the crowd in a
frenzy OF excitement