CHAT ABOUT THE CYCLE. - San Francisco Call - May 9, 1892

=== CHAT ABOUT THE CYCLE. ===
==== The Acme Athletic and Wheeling Club of Oakland. ====
===== An Enjoyable Picnic Run From This City to San Mateo - A Party at the Alameda Pavilion. =====
One of the most prosperous organizations of the kind in the State is the Acme Athletic and Wheeling Club of Oakland. It was founded nine years ago with a dozen charter members, and to-day has 250 names in good standing on its rolls. In fact, the clubrooms are now so crowded that the directors are looking for larger and more convenient quarters. The present officers of the club are as follows: W. Sharp, president; J. J. Hannifin, vice-president; J. Grindley, treasurer; A. Swain, secretary; H. H. Snow; financial secretary; E. Dawdle, leader; directors - H. A. Maxwell, J. Kitchen, H. A. Sloper, A. J. Patterson, George Stultz, J. W. Finigan. The Bicycle Annex was formed on July 20, 1891, and has a membership of 40. The officers are: George F. Neece, captain; B. C. Lund, lieutenant; H. A. Maxwell, secretary; O. I. Packard, bugler.
The club has two class nights a week. On Tuesday evenings Mr. De Witt C. Van Court, the popular boxing instructor, has charge of that interesting sport, while his brother, E. Van Court, the lightweight champion, is on the mat. The club holds several State championships and one United States championship. Mr. Kitchen holds the heavy-weight and Mr. Gallagher held the middle up till the time he entered the professional ring. Mr. Charles Andrews holds the lightweight wrestling championship, and Mr. Ed Hartley the American record for one-half mile swimming, which he lowered by 30 seconds on the Alameda course. Mr. Hartley will challenge the one-mile champion in the near future. Mr. Frank Wallace holds the 25-mile bicycle road record of the Pacific Coast, made on the San Leandro triangle in 1 hour, 24 minutes and 57 seconds. He intends to start for the 24-hour record on June 10. He is also entered in the five-mile State championship race, and the club expects great things of him during the coming season.
B. C. Lund, the speedy ordinary rider, and who has started in 43 races, of which he won 27 first and eight second prizes, is entered in the three-mile State championship race. Mr. O. I. Pickard, who holds the 25-mile ordinary record, is also entered. Among the probable entries are Maxwell, Dowdle, Hannifin, Lamory, Calhoun and Neece. Grant Bell, the holder of the five-mile State championship, has recently joined the Acmes and will hereafter wear the winged acorn on his cap. The Olympic Club bicycle annex will be the guests of the Acmes on a run to Orinda park in the near future. It is expected that there will be fully 100 in line. The Acmes will attend the baseball game on May 15 at the Oakland grounds in a body. The club has a strong relay team and would like to hear from some of the other clubs, with a view of organizing a race. Mr. Broderick, one of the club's scorchers, is looked on as a coming man. The Acmes will give one of their enjoyable ladies' nights on May 19.
The joint picnic run of the Bay City Wheelmen, San Francisco Bicycle Club, Olympic Club Bicycle Annex, Pacific Road Club, Oriental Bicycle Club and Alameda County Wheelmen was the 'cycling event of yesterday, and was a complete success. The start was made at 9:30 A. M. from the new clubhouse of the Bay Citys, on Van Ness avenue, the objective point being San Mateo. The route was from the avenue to Market, thence out Valencia to the San Jose road. As the wheelmen, who started in a bunch, gradually drew out in single file, the line was over four blocks long, and the novel procession attracted much attention. The pace was made slow, and San Mateo was not reached until about 11:30. After riding around the pretty town for a short time, all expressed a desire to see what the provision wagon held. A short distance up the picturesque San Mateo Creek the camp was found, but as lunch was not quite ready, a few of the boys, headed by Captain Pixley of the San Franciscos, took a ride to the big dam and enjoyed & few pleasant moments in viewing the beautiful lake. On returning they found the boys all at lunch, but there was enough for all, and to spare. After the repast smoking and bathing were in order, and members of clubs erstwhile at sword's points fraternized as brothers.
[[File:CHAT ABOUT THE CYCLE. - San Francisco Call - May 9, 1892 map 75dpi.png|thumb|center|700px|The San Jose road was Mission road and El Camino Real. The article CHAT ABOUT THE CYCLE. - San Francisco Call - May 9, 1892 describes a start from the Bay City Wheelmen club house at 443 Golden Gate Avenue, near Van Ness Avenue, proceeding south to Market, then Valencia, then the San Jose road to San Mateo. They could have taken the San Bruno road, which we now call Bayshore Blvd, but didn't. Here is an imperfect rendering of the route they took, using QGIS software, and these maps from the David Rumsey collection; 1891 Guide Map Of City And County Of San Francisco, 1896 San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties. (From the The Cyclers' Guide and Road Book of California) and 1927 Official Map of San Mateo County California. A 300 dpi version of this file can be viewed or downloaded here.]]
The run home was a continuous spurt, Captains Doane and Pixley leading, and making a pretty hot pace. Doane would have the best of it had not his wheel met with an accident, which let Pixley lead in in the remarkable time of 1 hour and 40 minutes. The next picnic will take place in the latter part of July to Larkspur, where the San Franciscos have a summer home. It is hoped that the Acme, Alameda and San Jose clubs will send good delegations on that occasion.
The housewarming party of the Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club was held in the pavilion on their spacious grounds on Friday night. The park, with its old oak trees and grassy plats was illuminated with Chinese lanterns. About 200 couple [sic] participated in the grand march. The event of the evening wag an exhibition of trick riding on a safety by James Ordway, an amateur of this city, who is already a dangerous rival of Dan Canary. His difficult and gracefully executed feats were thoroughly appreciated by the audience of experts. The fine track built by this club will be in perfect order for the big races on May 30.
The success of this year's century run is already assured. The Bay City wheelmen will, as usual, outnumber the others, but the San Franciscos will make a showing that will surprise some who think they are afraid to ride. It is hard to guess who will be the first to reach Hollister.
Foster and Ives, who are looked on as likely winners on Decoration day, will ride wheels of a novel design that are sure to create a sensation. These are Victors with the new racquet frame, something never before seen on this coast, and unlike any other model under the sun. The weight is about 25 pounds, and, with wheels off, the machine can be used for playing lawn tennis or as a steel-stringed lyre.
On next Sunday Frank G. Lenz, a well-known wheelman of Pittsburg, Pa., will start on a bicycle tour of the world. He will ride a pneumatic safety and follow the westward course of Thomas Stevens.
Captain Pixley has a sprained wrist, the result of a fall caused by a small boy thrusting a stick through his wheel.
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