George J. Hobe

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Clubs

San Francisco Bicycle Club

Its present membership is as follows : Ralph de Clairmont, Herman C. Eggers, George J. Hobe, Chas. L. Leonard, Charles A. Butler, Columbus Waterhouse, Fred Waterhouse, Henry C. Finkler, [Finckler] Alfred H. Cables, John B. Martin, Henry London, James W. Kerr, Morris Feintuch, Frank A. McLaughlin, John W. Gibson, Robt. T. Verrinder, Henry L. Chambers, John C. Quinn, Geo. R. Butler, Henry R. Judah, J. W. Winter, Walter S. Kelley, Walter E. Slack, Harry A. Greene, Isaac Ehrenberg, James A. White, Frank A. Osborn, Jason W. Nash, James Sanderson, Frederick W. Gibson and John F. M. McCarthy. The Club uniform is neat and tasteful, consisting of a dark-brown Parole jacket, knee breeches and stockings, and black cap with visor. The Club colors are blue and white.

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There is one office recognized in all the Clubs of the coast, which does not appear on the regular list. This is the position of Road Inspector, an honor conceded to the member who takes the most headers within a given time. In the Bay City Club the office was filled for some time by Walter Rideout, and latterly by the worthy President, Thomas L. Hill. Columbus Waterhouse and Mr. George J. Hobe of the San Francisco Club, ride what are termed "grasshoppers," which have the saddle so far back that it is impossible to take a header from them, but Dr. Winters, who is sixty-four years old, and Mr. de Clairemont, who is sixty, declare that "grasshoppers" are only fit for old men, and they will not ride them. The amusement gives opportunity for the display of some fortitude, and on one occasion, when Fred Russ Cook, who has one of the best general records in the Union, set out with Mr. Bowman for a long ride, Mr. Bowman took a header at the start, breaking the handle off from his machine and fracturing both wrists, but he bravely made the one hundred-mile trip with sprained wrists and a piece of wood tied on for a handle. The worst accident that has happened to any member, fell to the lot of Mr. Mclaughlin of the San Francisco Club, who once attempted to ride down hill at the Presidio without a brake, whereupon man and wheel took a flying leap through the air, across a gully, and both were picked up seriously damaged.

ON THE WHEEL. - Daily Alta California, 29 November 1885

A committee composed of Governor Perkins, Columbus Waterhouse, Colonel de Clairmont and George Hobe waited on the Park Commissioners, once again to urge for some slight concession. The Commissioners held a meeting in the President's office of the Bank of California. Chairman Eldridge, then Chairman of the Commission, leaned back in bis chair, looking at the petitioners, most of them old men, and in tones of amazement he asked:

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Of the original riders many still spin on their wheels, like Colonel de Clairmont, now about seventy years old, George Hobe, who is past seventy, Senator Perkins, Herman Eggers, Morris Feintuch, George Strong, Henry Loudon.

FIRST BIKE ON THE COAST. - The San Francisco Examiner 04 Aug 1895, Sun Page 18

Gradually the sport gained ground. New wheels were imported, first by individuals, and then by well-known firms. Colonel de Clairmont's enthusiasm was still unbounded and he numbered among his pupils such men as George C. Perkins, George Hobe, George Cunningham; Herman C. Eggers and several others. The waning enthusiasm of these men which had received a temporary check in their disgust with the old style of wheel, the "Boneshaker," returned and all the keenness of interest in the sport revived with the possession of the new "Neckbreakers." Wheeling was destined to become the leading sport, but the cyclers of to-day with their softly cushioned seats and tires find the difficulties and obstacles with which the pioneer wheelmen were forced to contend almost incredible recitals in the face of the ease with which their swift wheels speed along the roads made specially for them to-day.

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Then the "club" resort was had. On December 13, 1878, a club was formed known as the San Francisco Bicycle Club, which was the first organization of its kind on the Coast, and the second in the whole United States. Among the members were Governor George C. Perkins, [Colonel Ralph de Clairmont]], Judge Kerrigan, George H. Strong, G. Loring Cunningham, F. G. Blinn, J. G. Golby, George Hobe, Robert M. Welch, Charles L. Barrett, F. C. Merrill, [maybe F. T. Merrill] E. Mohrig. F. E. Osbourne, Charles C. Moore, Fred Russ Cook, Herman C. Eggers, Frank D. Elwell and many others.

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Eventually, a committee from the San Francisco Bicycle Club, composed of Governor George C. Perkins, Colonel de Clairmont, George Hobe and Columbus Waterhouse, was successful in obtaining an audience with the Park Commissioners, when the greatest surprise was manifested by the potentates as the committee made known its errand.

When San Francisco Was Teaching America to Ride a Bicycle - Sun, Feb 26, 1905 - Page 5 - San Francisco Chronicle