Oakland Tribune, 03 May 1897, Mon, Page 7 An "Old Men's Run" to Tamalpais

AN "OLD MEN'S RUN."

Reliance Bikers Pass a Very Pleasant Day Sight Seeing.

THE TRIP TO TAMALPAIS.

Just a Few Casualties to Liven Up the Outing.

ALL HAD A GOOD TIME.

The Day so Successful That Another Event Is Planned.

The "old men" had it all their way yesterday - that is, so far as the run of the Reliance cyclers was concerned. An "old men's run" it was called, but fully half of the riders have not voted for more than five years, while the oldest of the merry bikers were remarkably youthful in spirit at least, though some of them have gray hair.
The event was one of the most enjoyable of the kind ever held under the auspices of the club. Fully eighty wheelmen turned out, and the fun they had could not be measured by comparison with any previous outing.
The start was scheduled at 9 o'clock, but it was almost a half hour later before the tug left the foot of Broadway. In twos and threes the riders straggled down the wharf, where the "Walter Hackett" was steamed up, ready to carry the gay party to San Quentin. Bicycles of all makes and models were stored up above the pilot house and around the front of the boat, while their owners were satisfied with seats on top of the engine room or in the rear of the tug.
When the last of the "old men" were on board, the flag in the stern was hoisted and then with three blasts from the whistle and a chorus of -

"Who are, who are
Who are we?
We are, we are
R. A. C.
Hip, hip, rah,
Zip boom ah.
Reliance, Oakland,
Ha, ha ha!" -

The tug cast off from the dock and the run had commenced.
Out of the estuary, across the bay and past the islands the little vessel ploughed its way, the boys in the meantime performing all kinds of antics, while the steam whistle livened up matters by intermittent tooting. Alcatraz and Belvedere were left behind, and then, steaming around the cove, a landing was made at the dilapidated concern San Quentin calls a wharf.
The wheels were hastily hustled ashore and bunched up on the landing. The riders lined up in a group behind them, and the camera annex got in its deadly work. After the pictures had been taken, the run started. "Pop" Jerome chose Chester Myrick, captain of the wheelmen, and ex-Captain Griffiths to set the pace. They started off leisurely past the State's Prison and then took to the country, running up hill and down dale,  over marshy wastes, through picturesque canyons, and finally reaching Mill Valley.
It was 3 o'clock before dinner was served at the hotel. The wheelmen owned the place for the time being, and the pretty waitress maids had their hands full serving the hungry crowd.
The dinner was a peculiar one and somewhat lacking in symmetry. The attendants were rattled, and the soup tureen, as well as the ice cream freezer, were decidedly shy. One table was fortunate in getting soup, another had none, but evened up by receiving oyster patties. What was not in evidence had to be rustled for, and the grand finale found many bloomers in the kitchen, helping themselves, to the distraction of the Chinese cook and the fat, beflustered landlady. However, the meal ended good naturedly, even if the chicken was as tough as a south of Tehama street sport.

UP TAMALPAIS

After the feed the boys took a special train at the foot of the mountain and enjoyed the scenic ride up Tamalpais' bald side. As the train sped along over the high trestles and around the sharp curves of the serpentine road, the bikers made merry with songs and cheers.
Gradually the panorama appeared to the view. The bay, ocean and all the surrounding cities were spread out thousands of feet below, in striking contrast to the gray spire of the mountain. When the little train reached the top, an elevation of 2,600 feet, the Reliance cheer rang out lustily and the club's emblem was placed on the highest rock.
A hotel boasts of existence on top of the mountain, and here the boys repaired for refreshments. The return trip was as merry a one as the ascent, and when the terminus had been reached the wheels were again mounted.
Sausalito was the objective point this time. The wheelmen made their own pace, the line being strung out nearly the whole distance. On the way, a series of mishaps befell some of the riders. Two or three "spills," broken wheels and bruised anatomy resulted, but nothing of a serious nature occurred. In fact, the little accidents relieved the monotony of the journey.
The "Captain Hackett" was in waiting at the pier, and again embarking the return to Oakland started. The afternoon breeze was a little chilly for the 160 stockinged legs, but the continued stream of jests and songs kept the boys in such good humor that little inconveniences were forgotten.
Broadway wharf was reached at 8 o'clock, and then, minus lanterns, the riders proceeded in a body to the club rooms, passing several astounded policemen on the way.
In all, the trop was the ideal one of the season in every respect, and there was not one in the party but enjoyed it thoroughly. To "Pop" Jerome great credit is due for so successfully arranging the run. He acted as master of ceremony, and his good natured remarks were the life of the party.
The club feels grateful to Captain Hackett, who furnished the tug free of charge.
The remainder of the "Committee of fossils" who assisted materially in arranging the outing were G. H. Strong, C. H. Lovell, H. G. Dunbar, J. H. Ames, F. E. Whitney, F. F. Caire, Seth Mann, J. O. Cadman, W. L. Arnold, H. W. Thomas and P. H. Bernays.
Among the riders who attended were Chester Myrick, Fred Knight, Fred Whitney, E. Lenhardt, Henry Cushing, Phil Carleton, George Berry, Harry Quinn, C. D. Bates Jr., Sherman McDowell, W. Percy Hazelton, H. D. Haydenfeldt, Dave Williamson, Charles Griffith, Ed Griffith, Charles Pugh, O. Musser, E. B. Jerome, J. H. Dickman Jr., Dr. Halsey, Fred Sawyer, C. A. Love, H. L. Mason, R. C. Elder, Paul Nippert, E. Boggert, Howard Byxbee, George Williamson, R. T. McKissick, Judge Fred Clift, Charles Lovell, Bert Lund, W. L. Arnold, Morris Jellett, James Jellett, W. H. Sivers, Charles Smith, J. H. Creeley, "Old Man" Farley, W. D. Tillinghast, Fred Caire, W. R. Berry, B. Y. Morris, Harry Mason, Charles Cole, Robert Bain, Ollie Marston, Bert Neylan, W. A. Maclise, "Pop" Bernays, Arthur Bayley, H, S. Pugh, Arthur Baxter, Russ Lukins, S. Ford, Fleet Cornwall, Wallie Moore, W. Milwain, George Dawnin, H. Blinn and W. Robson.

A FEW INCIDENTS.

Chet Myrick mixed with the dust coming home, and, as if this was not enough, Harry Mason ran over his head, mingling unborn thoughts with Marin County's soil. Myrick also left a few yards of his epidermis behind.
Three of the boys struck up what they presumed was a flirtation with a Mill Valley damsel. While they were enjoying themselves the country constable walked up and threatened to arrest them if they continued to annoy his wife.
Fred Caire left the crowd at San Quentin to enjoy a picnic with friends at San Rafael. He brought along a carefully packed box of luncheon, with enough good cheer to wash it down. Before the box left the tug its contents had been emptied and chunks of coal left in its stead. Caire carefully carried his supposed meal to San Rafael and then swore.
Fred Whitney, attired in cheese cloth bloomers, trimmed with chantilly lace, hugged a life preserver while on board the tug. He was the last to board it coming home.
J. Sherman McDowell appeared in a startling creation of nun's veiling. He rode a 150-geared has-been, hired wheel, as his own was sick. Two miles out, the wheel tired, but the irrepressible McDowell straddled a wheelbarrow and came in strong.
Sievers could not complain of "cold feet." He was perched on the top of the engine room, with his legs dangling over, when Fred Whitney set fire to a newspaper which had been attached to the overlapping pedal extremities. Sievers saved his own life by jumping overboard.
E. Lenhardt furnished the gum. When he reached the summit of the mountain, he was greeted with a feminine chorus of "O doesn't he look cute?" He patted the young ladies on the back and paid their fare home. They were a few of his candy girls.
Myrick, Neylan, Byxbee, Haydenfeldt, Williamson, Marston and Bain held down the top of the pilot house on the trip over. They took charge of the steam whistle among other things.
Bates and Deacon on a tandem shook the crowd early to spark some San Rafael girls. There were others.
Morrie Jellet's big feet were responsible for a broken pedal, but he "shook the other leg."
Griffiths succumbed to the romantic atmosphere on top of the mountain. There were three babies in the car coming back, and Griffiths kissed them all.
Judge Clift perspired great beads of admiration for the dusty roads.
At dinner, one table full of hungry wheelmen thought the waitress might be bribed into giving them something to eat. Eighty cents was raised and given to the maid. She took it, laughed and the boys went hungry.
Percy Mott and Bert Burrill were left at the post. They watched the tug depart in the morning from the pier - that was all.
George Strong met the crowd at Mill Valley. He came up on the train.
Henry Cushing was laughed at for bringing an overcoat. He turned the tables when the cold wind child the bloomers on the homeward trip.
Phil Carleton communed with the gods on the mountain top. He offered up a burnt sacrifice in the shape of a "ten-fer" cigar.
The run was so successful and inexpensive that another one is suggested for the near future.

A search in newspapers.com shows they did do several more "Old Men's Runs".

Found on Newspapers.com