Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club
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see also Alameda Cycle Park track
Place
Alameda, CA
Emblem
The colors of the home club were nile green and pink and the wheels were covered with them, while some carried flowers as well.
Members
- Charles Bane
- Clyde Conkey
- Curtis
- R. Finkler
- Walter F. Foster
- A. L. Hickox
- Jesse F. Ives
- George H. Mastick
- Osborn
- Dr. Van Orden
- Ed Rue
- W. J. Robinson
- R. M. Welch
The largest procession of cyclists ever held on the Pacific slope formed on the corner of Park street and Encinal avenue, in Alameda, at noon yesterday, and proceeded from thence to the new grounds of the Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club in Schuetzen Park. It was the opening of the club's new quarters, and clubmen of all kinds and from all points assembled to witness a fine bicycling programme. It was announced that on the new track it would be possible to break all previous coast records, as its finishing surface, or skin, as the experts call it, is a new departure, which was discovered purely through an accident. It is composed of a paste or cement made from "shale," a kind at pulverized lime, which was secured at the Oakland gashouse. This gives a good hard, smooth surface, and stood well the test which it underwent yesterday. The grounds were in excellent condition, and an almost perfect view of the track can be had from any portion of the park.
The Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club is pushing to the front with good men and a good track of five laps to the mile, thirty feet wide, banked to six feet at the turns.
The Overland Monthly, Volume 19, 1892
Such a pageant had never before been seen in this city, nor on this coast as was witnessed yesterday morning. It was the preliminary parade announcing the great racing event for the afternoon. Wheelmen had spent hours in decorating their machines, and they were abundantly repaid by the pretty effect produced. The vari-colored decorations, the silver wheels, the attractive uniforms of the riders all blended together most harmoniously, and glinted in the summer sun with striking effect as the parade started on its way through the city. The colors of the home club were nile green and pink and the wheels were covered with them, while some carried flowers as well.
...
"The first racing meet of the Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club, held yesterday, was in every respect a success. The attendance was over 3000, fully one-half being ladies, and the races were the ever seen in California. The coast record was lowered in every event and the speed of the new track was demonstrated to the satisfaction of every wheelman. It was in truth a gala day in Alameda. At 10 o'clock in the morning there was a parade of 200 gaily decorated bicycles through the principal streets, all of which seem to have been macadamized by conscientious contractors. Such a novel and effective display has never been seen in this city, and would surely create a sensation on Market street. After lunch a steady stream of people poured along the sidewalks leading to the club grounds which, though in a state of embryo, are without an equal west of the Rockies."
[[WHIRLING WHEELS! - The Greatest Racing Meet Ever Held on the Coast. - Alameda Daily Argus - May 31, 1892]
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.
An open declaration of war between the Bay City Wheelmen of San Francisco and the Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club, of Alameda, Cal., has been made. The Division meet was given under the auspices of the Bay City Wheelmen and the A. B. & A. C. gave another on the same date with the avowed intention of making a failure of the Division meet. Since then relations have been strained and the other clubs of the state have taken up the gauntlet thrown down by the A. B. & A. C. and have nominated a Division ticket which totally ignores the latter club. The end is not yet and the L.A.W. authorities may have to take a hand in the matter.
Over 2000 people witnessed the races on the track of the Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club yesterday afternoon. Three times this number of citizens of our pretty suburban neighbour saw the parade of wheelmen in the morning and went wild over the unique lantern procession in the evening. But those who attended the races were the most pleased, for they were treated to several surprises, and were also enabled to record the lowering of several coast records. The track was in excellent condition, but the weather was not up to the usual Alameda standard. The officers of the club had apparently trusted to luck, without attempting to square things beforehand with Lieutenant Finley. Hence they were oppressed with an overcast sky and a speed-reducing breeze. Nevertheless, no complaints were made, and the only thing to be regretted was the absence of the picturesquely attired band which was seen so much and heard so little in Decoration day.
San Francisco Call, Volume 72, Number 35, 5 July 1892 - Bicycle Races in Various Parts of the State
The Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club will give a ball in the pavilion in Cycle Park on next Monday evening. A big attendance is already assured. By the way, the members of the ladies' annex of this club, nearly fifty in number, have joined the League of American Wheelmen. Wouldn't it be well to change this name to the league of American cyclists. Even lady wheelmen have rights which should be respected.
CONSIDERING the many counter attractions of yesterday in the way of aquatic and athletic sports, the race meeting of the Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club at the track of this club yesterday proved a grand success. In fact it was one of the most enjoyable athletic outings that has taken place in Alameda for many months.
All that was required to make the occasion doubly brilliant was the smashing of records, and so far as this was concerned the representatives of the club can feel satisfied.
Better racing could not possibly have been desired, although the finishes in some of the heats were not as close as had been expected.
The spirited music of the park band was greatly enjoyed by the contesting wheelmen, and the ladies, who were sheltered
from the rays of the sun, were particularly pleased.
The club has been placed on a good footing financially by the success of the meeting, and extra attractions will be added to the grounds so as to make them perfect in every particular and equal in point of beauty to any of the bicycle grounds of America. It was estimated that 3000 people were present yesterday when the first race was called.
BUZZING WHEELS. - The Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club Meet. - The San Francisco Call, 31 May 1893
ALAMEDA CYCLERS.
The Encinal Club is in Financial Difficulties.
ALAMEDA, January 14. - The Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club is on its last legs. Two years ago it was organized and had upon its rolls upwards of 150 members, and now only about forty cyclers remain in the organization.
The present officers are: George H. Mastick, President; Ed Rue, Vice-President: W. J. Robinson, Secretary; Clyde Conkey, Treasurer: Charles Bane, Captain: Ed Rue, George Mastick, Jesse Iver, A. L. Hickox, R. M. Welch and R. Finkler, Directors.
The club grounds and track are located near Encinal Park station. The land is owned by Charles Dann of San Francisco and the Encinal Land Company of this city has a lease of it for five years at the rental of $40 per month. The track and grounds have been improved by the club at an expense of nearly $2,000, and it seems hard to surrender them. The club has many outstanding debts and these must be met in a few weeks.
A meeting of the remnant of the once-flourishing bicycle club and the Encinal Land Company will be held on next Tuesday evening, and an endeavor will be made to make arrangements whereby the club may retain possession of its track and grounds. If no agreement can be made this old club will be disbanded and a new one organized.
