Note, there is a very different Bicycle Day. This is not about it. It looks like there might have been more of these, but I've only found this occurrence, so far.
'FRISCO CELEBRATES ITS BICYCLE DAY
More Than 500 Cyclists Ride Out to Golden Gate Park Stadium Where a Huge Crowd of Fans Gathered for the Stirring Race Meet Old Timers Mounted on High Wheelers in Parade
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., April 15. - San Francisco's Bicycle Day, held last Sunday at Golden Gate Park, fulfilled the expectations of the most sanguine. Far from the repeated postponements being a detriment, interest in the affair had grown with the suspense, and the assurance of fine weather brought a great many wheelmen, old and young, from distant points. It was impossible to count the number of machines accurately, but there could not have been less than 500 bicycles lined up in the run through the Park; and a large crowd of spectators conservatively estimated at ten thousand, completely filled the grandstand and spread out for a long distance around the track.The Band Wagon Arrives
As one o'clock approached and the wheelmen began to gather at the Baker street entrance to the Park, that old time haunt of cyclists took on an appearance it has not shown for many years. The band-wagon soon arrived on the scene and added its share to the merriment of the occasion, which was partly in the nature of a reunion for the older cyclists. The old timers were there in large numbers, including a great many whose names have in times past been known throughout the cycling world; many of them brought their sons, and some their grandsons.The younger generation of wheelmen was well represented, including some boys who have bought their wheels since the event was planned; and the cycling clubs now active around the Bay, including points as far distant as San Jose and Vallejo, turned out in good shape.
There were Herman Eggers, six day winner of 1879, and Bradley, Hill and Russ, with their old high wheels, a center of curiosity for the younger generation, many of whom saw the pioneer form of bicycle for the first time; and there was a good sized bunch on motorcycles from the S.F.M.C., making a social run along with the bicyclists. Several outfits with Smith motor wheels also took part in the parade, and one amusing arrangement was a boy's coaster wagon, with automobile style body, propelled at a good rate by a motor wheel in the rear. Then there was the first Dayton motor bike seen in San Francisco, and several other interesting novelties, as well as a long tandem and some of the "freak" wheels of the old days.
High Wheel Boys in Line
When the time came to start for the Stadium, a ride of some three miles, the procession was led off by a squad of motorcycle cops who had been detailed to do honor to the occasion, but who had difficulty in going slow enough for the rest of the parade. They were followed by the band-wagon, and that, at a little distance by the high wheel "boys," and after them came the general procession, with here and there some club crowd keeping together in compact form. The run was made in very leisurely manner, reaching the Stadium shortly after 2. Among the old timers at least, many pleasant memories were recalled on passing by the once familiar haunts and resting places of cyclists, some of them now changed almost beyond recognition, and which not a few of the riders had not seen for years.Arrived at the Stadium, the riders made the circuit of the three quarter mile track, while the spectators, including a great many who came in autos and street-cars, assembled at the grandstand or along the sides of the track.
Lots of Variety in Races
The parade over, the racing events went forward smoothly and without loss of time. The schedule originally outlined was not rigidly adhered to, the track events starting off with the novice race for boys over 16. Next came the messenger boys' race, in which a large number entered, and which was watched with great interest. Warren, of the Fillmore street office of the Western Union, was first, in 1 59 3/4; Graner, of the Postal Telegraph, second, and Sobell, of the Western Union office in the Flood building, third. After two more of the boys' races came the first heat of the two lap open, which probably aroused more enthusiasm than any other event.Hans Ohrt, representing the Olympic Club in this event, was roundly cheered on being introduced, and the various clubs cheered their riders with the old time club yells.
Ohrt's performance was one of the big attractions of the day, as he had little difficulty in keeping ahead of all who rode against him, and he took part in several races.
The quarter-mile on high wheels, though naturally not much a matter of speed, was highly interesting as a curiosity, and the riders were greeted with hearty applause. James Bradley finished ahead of Herman Eggers by a short distance, and H. Hill and Robert Russ came in together a little behind.
Old Timers Watched with Interest
The track was well filled with the Olympic Club juveniles, who failed to develop much speed, though they made better time than the old timers. This was followed by the second heat of the two-lap open, after which came the one lap match race, in which Ohrt finished well in the lead in 1:58, with Hoffman second and Simondi third. The race of old timers, 30 to 40 years of age, occasioned some excitement, as the participants, all of whom were formerly well known as bicycle racers, have not been riding for a long time. They proved no faster than might be expected. C. C. Metler winning in 2:09, with a long string stretching out behind, and there was a good deal of puffing as the bunch came in. In fact, the real old timers, 40 to 100 years made a rather better showing; but both these events were watched with great interest and enthusiasm by the grandstand crowd, which included many boom-day "fans."Those who entered were Orlando Stevens, Jack Cunningham, "Babe" Gibson, Mike Lind, Harry Wood, Mike Dallenberger, of Denver, Bob Terrill and Harry Fowler. This race started to the tune of "Silver Threads Among the Gold" but finished in lively fashion, Bob Terrill crossing the line in 2:07 1/2, with Lind a close second and Fowler and Cunningham tying for their. [sic] After this race a lot of the oldtimers were lined up opposite the grandstand and introduced, including Judge Frank H. Kerrigan, of the Appellate Court; Supervisor Jack Hynes, Frank E. Carroll, chairman of the Bicycle Day committee; Walter Foster, of the Bay City Club; Joe Desimone, of the Garden City; Harry Fowler, Robert Long, Tony Delmas.
Harry "Trilby" Fowler, who has not been riding for ten years, gave an exhibition of fancy riding, showing the youngsters the tricks they used to do in the old days; and he was very nearly up to his old form, giving an exhibition that was full of pep, and was greeted with much applause. His appearance was the signal for a hearty yell from the Bay City Club, of which he was a prominent member.
Tire Company Teams in Relay
The final heat of the two-lap event was an exciting affair, but Ohrt maintained his lead in good shape, finishing in 4:24 1/2. The three-lap relay between the tire company teams also offered some excitement, as the Goodrich, Goodyear, Fisk and Firestone teams had been getting in considerable practice.The day closed with a two-mile tandem race, an event which has not been seen here in a long time, and in which the spectators took a great deal of interest. Ohrt and Hoffman won in 3:39, with Spence ano Drury second and Walsh and Thompson third. The summaries of the races:
Novice race for boys over 16, one lap - Earl Thompson, winner. Time 1:44 1/2.
Messenger boys' race, one lap - Warren, first; Graner, second; Sobell, third Time 1:59 3/4
Race for boys, 8 to 12, one lap - Fenn, first; Donnelly, second; Berthart, third. Time, 2:25. (?)
Race for boys, 12 to 16, one lap - S. Behr, (?) first, Philip Patterson, second; Lewis Kelley, third. Time, 2:08 1/2.
First heat of two-lap open race - Hans Ohrt, first; Harry Hoffman, second; H. Spence, third
Quarter-mile on high wheels - James Bradley, first; Herman C. Eggers, second; Thomas H. Hill and Robert Russ tied for third. Time, 0:35 1/4 (?)
Olympic Club Juveniles, one lap - Phil Patterson, first; George Price, second; Ed Reuthers, third. Time 2:08 1/2. (?)
Second heat of two-lap open - B. Coooper, first; C. Girard, second; William Hammilt, third.
Match race, one lap - Ohrt, first; Hoffman, second; A. Simondi, third; Time 1 58.
Old-timers' race (30 to 40), one lap - C. C. Mettler, first; J. W. Watson, second; H. Wilcox, third. Time 2:09.
Old-timers' race (40 to 100), one lap - Bob Terrill, first; Mike Lind, second; Harry Fowler and John Cunningham tied for third, Time, 2:07 1/2.
Final heat of two-lap open race - Ohrt, first; Cooper, second; L Drury, third. Time, 4:24 1/2.
Three-lap relay race for tire companies - (??????) Goodrich, first; Berrberg (Goodyear), second; Wahlsen (Firestone), third. Time 5:38 1/2.
Policemen's race, one lap - J. Watson, first; C. J. Birdsell, second; T. H. White and Coulter tied for third. Time 2:39
Firemen's race, one lap - J. Coughlan, first; W. A. Petri, second; Time 2:07 3/4
Three-lap handicap - Earl Thompson, first; R. Gillette, second; R. Girard, third. Time 5:10 1/2. (?)
Two-lap Smith motor wheel race - Linn Howard, first; Charles S. Howard, Jr., second; W. E. Wood, third. Time 3:44 1/2.
Two-mile tandem - Ohrt and Hoffman, first; Spence and Drury, second; Walsh and Thompson, third. Time, 3:39.
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