A QUIET WEEK IN CYCLING - The San Francisco Call - November 13, 1897
A QUIET WEEK IN CYCLING
Some Postponed Long Distance Road Events Still to Be Run.
Cycle Press and Bay City Wheelmen Will Play Baseball To-Morrow.
Bearings and Referee Have Failed. Points About Bevel Gears - Clubs' Theater Party.
Another attempt will be made on the 100-mile record around the bay to-morrow by the same men who intended to ride the course last Sunday, but did not owing to the muddy condition of the roads. A Theisen, C. J. Birdsall and T. H. White of the California Cycling Club will ride together, paced by tandems, and Edward Kragness of the Olympic Club Wheelmen, also paced, will go it alone. They want to beat 5 hours 58 minutes.
The surprise of the week in cycling circles comes from the East, and is to the effect that the three leading cycle journals of Chicago - Bearings, Referee and Cycling Life - have given up the ghost. It seems almost impossible to believe, but is nevertheless the fact. They have been consolidated into one paper, which will be known as the Cycle Age, and will be devoted almost entirely to the trade, but a small portion being given over to the sport itself. "Well-Fed" Spooner will probably have to seek another vocation.
When it is remembered that Bearings paid to its owners, Van Sicklen and Barrett, both old-time racing men, $50,000 net during the year 1895, its decline can be quickly measured.
Otto Ziegler Jr. came to town Wednesday night from San Jose to see cousin, Owen Ziegler of Philadelphia, go against George Green. He must have been disappointed in the showing. One thing is certain - Otto was never accused of throwing a race, even if Owen is of faking a prize-fight.
The new chainless wheel is attracting a great deal of attention. The chief merit accorded it is its immunity from the effects of rain, mud and dust, due to the driving mechanism being encased. The only criticisms, apart from those of mechanical theorists, appear to be on the score of its wide tread and its weight of 25 1/4 pounds. Further, an Eastern rider who has just bought one writes me that while the machine seems to be very rigid it does not run as easily as a chain-driven machine. On a hill it does not respond quickly to the pedal pressure.
If some of the men who won prizes in the last ten-mile C. A. C. C. race and are complaining of the value of the same would become members of it themselves and help to defray the expenses by their contributions of $1 a year apiece, the officials might be able to put up better prizes for them to ride for.
The Olympic Club Wheelmen expect to inaugurate a forty-mile road race from Fruitvale to San Jose before long. It will be a novelty, and with a big list of starters should be very interesting.
There is something wrong with the Cycle Board of Trade. Twice within the last fortnight it has been unable to hold a meeting, owing to the absence of a quorum, and this with a membership of over 75. A good, firm hand at the helm to guide things right and awaken interest in the members; should be looked for at the next election. "Bob" Lennie would be the man.
The Bay City Club is not a believer in the popular superstition regarding the number thirteen and the day Friday. In evidence of this the following brief account of some of the club's doings may prove interesting:
The original club had thirteen charter members.
The incorporation of the club was made September 13, 1890, by thirteen men - R. M. Thompson, Thomas L. Hill, Charles W. Hammer, Charles C. Moore, Calvin N. Langton, William M. Meeker, Fred R. Cook, Sanford Plummer, Joseph G. Cox, Thomas H. Doane, George P. Wetmore, Fred W. Ray, Charles A. Elliott.
The first meeting to incorporate was held by the above men August 13, 1890.
In building the house alterations at 441 Golden Gate avenue the contract was signed on Friday, and work was started June 13, 1896.
The thirty-five days' limit on building expired on a Friday.
There are thirteen new posts in basement. Thirteen piers in basement.
Thirteen steps in the stairs front and rear were built on a Friday (Eddie Battles fell down them, the first time he tried them, by attempting to step over the thirteenth step).
Thirteen boards in casing of front chimney.
Thirteen windows were added to the house.
Thirteen gas fixtures.
The contractor increased his men's time from eight to ten hours on the 13th day of the month.
Plumbers started work July 13.
On July 13 the contractor had 13 men at work - the only day that number were working.
The contractor's office was 313 Minna street. "Mike," the mascot, was lost for the sixth time on July 4, 1897, and was recovered 67 days later - 6 and 7 equals 13.
Limited membership closed at 175 - 1 and 7 and 5 equals 13. Although the Bay City Wheelmen have been in existence 13 years, no member of the club has ever died.
A red-hot time is promised all who have been so fortunate as to receive an invitation to the Bay City Wheelmen's smoker, to be held to-night at the clubhouse, 441 Golden Gate avenue. The Bay Citys are famed far and wide as most hospitable entertainers, and they never shine more brightly in this role than when acting as hosts in their own home. Music, song and story, accompanied by refreshments, will serve to while the hours merrily away.
Herbert Deans Clark has ceased his contributions to Western Sports, which graced the cycling department of that paper under the caption of "Siftings," and the journal is decidedly the loser thereby. He will hereafter devote himself to other and higher branches of literary work, for which he is eminently fitted.
The five-mile road race of the San Jose Turn Verein Cyclers scheduled for to- morrow has been postponed indefinitely. The club will meet to-morrow morning to organize a baseball team and will spend the forenoon in practice, trying out aspirants. Hereafter meeting nights will be Tuesday instead of Monday.
