Evening star., 1941-04-06

who frequently gave helping hand
to such racers as needed his services,
as well as Pop" Ringgold, who was
never more delighted than when
acting as trainer for AL Moran.
Allen c. Moran-or as he was
early dubbed, Jimmy" Moran-was
for several years one of Washing
tons crack riders. AS an amateur
and as professional he specialized
in no particular distance.
His first exhibition riding was
done in the autumn of 1896, when
he established the mile
track record at International Park
in the fast time of 1915 seconds.
During the season of 1897-if the
writer's memory is correct-he cap
tured the 1-mile District amateur
championship and completed the
years work with Is firsts, is Sec
onds and 10 thirds.
Fred Schade, another fine rider,
was at times invincible. At one time
he was the amateur champion Of
the South. One of his best and
most courageous performances was
in the winning of the smile anna
teur handicap at International Park
in 1897. In this race he accom-
plished what he himself believed was
almost impossible
There were 1000 spectators pres
ent to discuss this great race. Many
stayed away because of the heavy
rain of day or two before, which
they believed had spoiled the track
for racing SO soon afterward. The
track was heavy and slow and the
turns rutty, resulting in one nasty
spill in which one of the riders
came out with broken shoulder.
This, however, was to be expected
and even looked for and was just
as natural as the goring of a mata-
dor or a picador in bullhght.
In this event Schade was the
only scratch man in the race, the
field stretching from the 30-yard
mark to 500 yards, or nearly all
around the track. One sports writer
in telling the story of this race said:
"Schade was the only scratch man
in the race. AS he glanced over
his shoulder while waiting for the
starters pistol, he saw the line of
riders back of him.
81 can't cut down that field he
exclaimed, and was about to get of
his wheel.
Don't bother about them; you
can win, all right said Billy Jose.
Then came the starters signal,
and the struggle was on. Like a
flash Schade caught Wilson on the
30-yard mark, and a moment later
they were on the trail of Moran.
These three settled down to their
work and soon began to flash past
rider after rider. At the 3-mile
mark they closed in with the bunch.
'As the leaders reached the q
mile mark five riders went down in
an ugly spill. Then the pace slack
ened a trif1e, and Schade was con-
tent to hold his own until the bell
gave notice that the last lap was
at hand.
This was the signal for a grand
squirt, and as the bunch went down
the long stretch on the far side
the rays of the sun shone with
dazzling effect upon the glittering
wheels of the 80 riders. 1t was a
headlong race for the last turn,
but at the critical moment some
one faltered and there followed a
sickening crash as the wheels and
riders went down in a conglom.
Grated mass of wheels and riders.
Won Boechmann came out of the
mess with a broken shoulder, and
blood streamed from q score Of
lesser wounds.
But Schade and Wilson had es-
capped. Making the turn together,
they came down the stretch neck
and neck. Schade, with that won-
derful finishing sprint of his, let out
every particle of speed and, amid a
frenzy of applause, crossed the tape
6 inches ahead of Wilson" The lat
ter, Emmor L. Wilson, was always
a dependable and consistent rider
and at one time held the champion
ship of the District. He, Moran and
Schade are still with us, and though
no doubt all would still enjoy o
good rundown, naturally none is Just
young enough for a bicycle race.