CHAT ABOUT THE CYCLE. - A Brief Sketch of the Garden City Cyclers. - Frank Waller Makes a New World's Record. - The Coming Century Run - Straight Spokes. - The San Francisco Call, Jun 13, 1892

CHAT ABOUT THE CYCLE.

A Brief Sketch of the Garden City Cyclers.

Frank Waller Makes a New World's Record. The Coming Century Run - Straight Spokes.

Clarence N. Ravlin

The Garden City Cyclers, an organization which numbers among its members some of the best racing men on the coast, was formed on the 13th of last January by a combination of the old Cyclers and the Garden City Wheelmen. The new club has flourished from the beginning and has done much to sustain interest in the sport to which its members are so devoted. The club has comfortable apartments on a prominent street which are seldom deserted. There is a parlor with two large bay-windows and a corner fireplace with an elegant hard wood mantel and plate-glass mirror, two billiard-rooms-each with its table and a directors' or officers' room - also a bathroom for training purposes. The rooms are lighted by both gas and electricity. It is proposed to build a good bicycle track, and have it in readiness for the race meet to be held on Admission day. The fleur-de-lis has been adopted by the club as its distinctive emblem. The present officers of the club are as follows: J. B. Lamkin, president; J. A. Desimone, vice-president; J. L. Bothwell, secretary-treasurer; board of directors - G. A. Morrill, Y. D. Hensill, Al Col, C. D. Smith, F. P. Black und E. Williston; C. N. Ravlin, captain; R. O. Summers, first lieutenant; F. S. Munn, second lieutenant; W. W. Feedham, bugler; J. A. Delmas, color-bearer.

As was anticipated in this column last week, Frank Waller, “The Flying Dutchman," who started at 6 o'clock Friday evening to beat the world's 24-hour record, succeeded in accomplishing his task. He is a member of the Acme Club of Oakland, and though he has never won a race, his staying powers have been generally recognized as unexcelled. The new track of the Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club, on which he accomplished his great feat, was built on the lines of the famous Hern Hill course in England, on which Holbein made the previous world's record of 361 miles and 1446 yards.

Frank Waller.

When the Alameda track becomes a little more firmly set it will probably be the fastest on earth. Waller made only a few short stops for rest and refreshment, and finished in good condition. The time was taken by Eugene Van Court, G. F. Neece and H. Snow. Dr. Gourley was judge, and the scorers were Charles Ballentine, Charles Addington and A. A. Boughton. The pace was made at intervals by Grant Bell, G. A. Faulkner, W. C. Angell, G. F. Neece, Stoddard of the Bay Citys, and Walter Foster, who returned from Monterey just in time to accompany Waller on his last mile.

Waller's record, which is now that of the world, is 363 miles and 1590 yards, accomplished in a little less than 24 hours, the pistol-shot signaling him to stop having been fired a few seconds too soon. The gritty rider also succeeded in lowering all Pacific Coast records over five miles. The time for the first 10 miles was 30 minutes 46 1/2 seconds; in one hour he rode 19 miles and 500 yards; 25 miles were made in 1 hour 18 minutes 30 seconds and 50 miles in 2 hours 47 minutes 30 seconds. The champion of both hemispheres rode a 30-inch pneumatic geared to 67. Waller's oft-repeated story of how he rode every inch of the way from this city to the top of Mount Hamilton and return will doubtless find believers now. He is a tall, gaunt, awkward German, with beetling eyebrows, awkward of gait and speech, yet withal, possessed of muscles of iron and an indomitable determination to accomplish whatever he undertakes. He has been a wheelman only about 18 months.

See also THAT TWENTY FOUR HOUR RECORD - Bearings, The Cycling Authority of America, June 24, 1892

The league meet, originally fixed for Sacramento, has been given to Stockton, owing to the impossibility of securing a suitable track at the former place. The races will be held on the Fourth of July, and as the Native Sons will visit the Slough City in force on that day the success of the meet is already assured. The Bay City wheelmen of this city are taking great interest in the matter, and with their active Co-operation the Stockton boys should be able to present a fine programme. While the track is a good one for horses, it was not built for bicycle races, and it will be surprising if any records are lowered.

Realizing the advantages of a perfect track in proximity to the metropolis, and being assured of a large list of entries, representing many organizations of wheelmen, the Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club has decided not to go to Stockton, but to hold a meet of its own on July 4. Many of the crack riders will be represented, including Grant Bell, Walter Foster, B. C. Lund, George Neece, Harry Maxwell, Jesse Ives and probably Edwards and Delmas of San Jose. The State is big enough for two racing meets on one day, and the crowd at Stockton will leave enough people in this vicinity to fill the spacious park at Alameda. The only thing to be regretted is the discord which has been engendered between some of the clubs.

The San Francisco Bicycle Club held a very successful picnic run to Mill Valley yesterday. About 40 wheels went over, besides a number who went on the train. A fine lunch was spread, and every one seemed happy. Did Captain Pixley enjoy his lunch? Better not ask him unless you are armed. He went down to a farmhouse to get some milk, but when he got back there was not a crumb left, and he was confined to a milk diet. Some good scorching was done on the return trip. Scovern and Twitchell made the best time. These boys promise soon to be shining lights in the racing line.

What has become of the Larkspur Camp of the San Francisco Bicycle Club?

Some of the San Francisco boys are making up a Yosemite party again this year, and will leave San Francisco soon.

The Pacific Road Club took a run to San Jose by moonlight, Saturday night, returning yesterday. The following members participated: Captain J. F. Hancock, Lieutenant E. S. Battles, A. T. Janzen, C. Hazel, J. Hazel, J. C. Luby, L. L. Murch, M. Ballard, G. Tregallas, F. Harter and H. Ebenritter; also H. Cristensen of the S. F. B. C. At Warm Springs the boys met Captain Bailey and Mr. Beloli of the San Jose Road Club, who accompanied the run to San Jose.

The bicycle raffied by the P. R. C. last Wednesday evening was won by ticket 233.

The directors of the San Francisco Bicycle Club have announced a ladies' night for the evening of Friday, June 17. An enjoyable programme will be presented, after which there will be dancing and light refreshments.

The Alameda boys are making preparations for a lantern parade in the near future.

The annual century run of the L. A. W. is set for next Sunday. About 100 wheelmen are expected to participate. The San Francisco contingent will start from the corner of Golden Gate and Van Ness avenues at 5:30 A. M., and will ride on this side of the bay. The men from Oakland and Alameda will leave Fruitvale at 6 A. M. and join the main body at San Jose about 10:30 A. M. The third detachment, composed of San Jose wheel men, will start at 6 A. M., ride up to meet the boys from San Francisco at Redwood City and will then retrace their way to the Garden city. From here the united forces will move on to Hollister, the terminus of the 100-mile run. The return will be made by train. The roads from this city to San Jose are good, thence to Gilroy excellent. but between that town and Hollister some heavy work will have to be done.

A number of riders belonging to the Acmes, Golden Gates and Alamedas went to Centerville yesterday, where a fraternal reunion was held.

P. H. Bernays is nothing if not enterprising. He has just fitted up a model bicycle rendezvous on San Pablo avenue, Oakland. It will be in charge of Wilbur F. Knapp, a victor in many races all over the world.

A. J. Storey, C. N. Langton, A. Barnes, Charles Dietle and G. T. Andrews arrived at Virginia City, Nev., last Wednesday from this city, having made the trip on bicycles in seven days. The party found a depth of 10 feet of snow on the summit of the Sierras, and made a detour at Truckee to Lake Tahoe.

W. F. Foster and T. C. Dodge have returned from their run to Monterey. They had a good time, and their report on the roads is of value as a guide to other tourists. From Alameda to San Jose, Gilroy and Watsonville the roads are good, but it was hard work going on to Monterey. The boys went over the 17-mile drive, and had some good fishing during their three-days' stay in Monterey. Returning by a different route, the road to Santa Cruz was found to be very bad, and from that place to Pescadero positively unridable. Between Pescadero and La Honda Foster's knee gave out twice and he walked most of the distance. Over Alpine mountain to Redwood City the scenery and walking were both good. Thence to San Francisco the road is splendid, even the sandy stretch between the five-mile and three-mile houses having been replaced by hard macadam.

There is no authority for the statement that efforts are being made to arrange a match race for a trophy between Bell and Foster.

Since the recent enlargement of the cyclery at Golden Gate Park Mr. Devany finds that more ladies are learning to ride than ever before in his extended experience.

Secretary Cobden is well pleased with his success as an advocate of comfortable cycling.

Young Mr. Bailey, who built the already celebrated track at Alameda, was presented with a gold watch and chain by the members of the club last week.