The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-06-05
HOW l BROKE THE COAST TO
COAST RECORD.
BY Erwin G. Baker.

While | arrived in New York city at
midnight May IA, clipping approNima-
tely days from the previous trans
continen al record, according to my
Way Of thinking | really achieved the
feat 4 moHtas before
What | mean by that is-through
preparation and endless calculation
preceding the trip is wha brought me
thriugh.
First, laid ou, my route-a matter
CT no small impor ance in selecting
roads and towns through which to
pass. Then having done this enlist
ed the cooperation Of weather ex-
pert and together we examined wealth
er condi ions over my chosen territory
for 10 years past. Analysis showed
that. contrary to general opinion, May
was the best month for me t. under
take a coast-to-coas ride on a motor
cycle. 50, relying on the weather 5
past performances, | determined to
start in May, leaving San Diego on the
3rd at y o'clock Eas ern time. The
weather ran true to form and did not
hit rain until after l had got EN- east
of the Mississippi valley ait whicn
poin. l struck gravelly roads which
absorbed moisture readily and gave
me minimum trouble. This was just
as I lad planned. l followed behind
a storm area trailing from West to
East and struck no storm until an
other one finally caught up with me-
During the rainy period l covered one
stage of y miles through wind and
water in hour and 50 minutes.
Another matter of foresight which
nelped me was the planting of tanks
cf gasoline ahead of me at remote
spots where knew that no gas would
have been obtainable. Thus avoided
fuel troubles.
Still another factor of course was
nv machine. l rode 1914 H. r.
Twin Two Speed Indian with electric
equipment and cradle spring frame.
In all the distance of 3,497 miles l
had no mechanical difficulties what
ever and l encountered all the differ
ent road conditions known to travel.
Between Mammoth, California, and
Glames l rode 81 miles on the railroad
ties, crossing trestles and bridges. !
In a 1927 mile desert stretch OF sand,
cactus, heat, thirst and desolateness,
travelled 115 miles without seeing
a siagle living thing-except Gila
monsters and snakes.
Four mountain ranges we're nego-
tiated. At one point at the Northern
end of Arizona l climbed from 200
feet below sea level to an altitude OF
9.647 feet into the mountain SHOWS.
It was in his omuntain work tha the
Twin Speed showed its supreme quail
ties. My brake power, too, in making
the PERCEPTIONS descent of the winding
mountain trails, never failed me for
moment. If ii had, l might not be
able now to tell this story
When l struck Indiana the authorl-
ties raised the speed limit for one day.
50 that could do my best. And did,
making 376 miles in II IL hours.
am a Hoosier and the welcome and en-
couragement which the people OF my
home state gave me as passed from
town to town was a generous and ap-
preciated demonstration.
From Columbus, Ohio, so Green's
burg. Pennsylvania, the going was bad.
I plouged my way through 232 miles
ct midland was mighty glad to get
out cf onto firm ground again.
My final dash was 41S mile one
from Greensburg, Pa. to New
Yerk city. This l did in 20 hours, 16
of which was actual riding.
Total time for the trip was II days,
y hours and 10 minutes, during which
! took only 46 hours sleep-about
hours per day. Average mileage per
day was 3O4
I took a!o4g an extra electric light
bulb, expecting to need it With such
hard riding. But I arrived in New
York wi h the original bulb still in
its socket and burning brightly. Ny
batteries were still in fine condition
and needed no recharging or atteHtion
during the ride.
In my estimate it was The Cradle
Spring Frame above all that contrib
uted to my success. It absorbed all