The Wheel in California

Overland Monthly Vol. XXII July - December 1893

THE WHEEL IN CALIFORNIA. 

HERE, there and everywhere they flit, gliding away on their silent steeds as quickly and suddenly as they approach, leaving no dust or trace behind them to mark their course, and giving the surprised pedestrian but a momentary glimpse of the silent wheel. Often it is without warning that the cyclist sweeps by, but in the dusk or twilight the faint tinkle of his bell or the hoarser sound of the bicycle horn warns the passer-by of the near approach of the wheelmen.


The pleasures of bicycle riding can hardly be overstated. To be able to mount and ride away at a moment's notice, and to keep on all day without fear of hurting one's steed, are advantages that belong peculiarly to the bicycle rider. Racing is but a small part of the enjoyment that is gained by the owner of a wheel, for only the favored few can hope to be winners, but in cross-country riding all derive equal pleasure and delight. What can be a more pleasing sensation than to skim down a steep mountain road, or to fly along a cool country lane bordered on both sides by high shade trees, through which can be caught a fleeting glance of some of the fine suburban homes that help to beautify the landscape? Certainly, not one of the five thousand wheelmen in California will grant that there is any sport — horseback riding, hunting, fishing, or yachting — that will give more genuine excitement or pleasure than can be had from bicycling.

The history of cycling in California extends back but a few years, and there are many riders of the present day who can remember when the first wheel was brought to this State, and who have noted with wonder the growth and development of the sport.

Away back in the sixties, when San Francisco was but in its infancy, and when Union Square was occupied by the Mechanics' Institute Pavilion, a showman brought out a hundred or more of the old-fashioned velocipedes, which made riding seem more like labor than sport. He established a rink at the Pavilion, and for several years had much success. Gradually, however, as the roads around San Francisco were improved, and the streets graded and paved, the velocipede was superseded by the lighter and more graceful wheels, and riding became an easy and delightful way of spending a holiday. It was only the more venturesome, however, who dared to mount one of the high wheels, and from his position of eminence the rider would look down upon the passers-by with the dignity born of high place. The consciousness that they were able to do something that others could not drew the wheelmen together, and made them much more friendly to each other than are the riders of today. It was the customary thing for one tourist to greet another as he passed him by, and this friendliness made traveling much more agreeable for both parties. The cyclists of those days were merry-hearted fellows, who thought nothing of taking long, hard trips over the mountains, and who felt amply repaid for their exertions when they assembled at their respective clubs and recounted the varied experiences of the day.

The clubs have, from the very first, been the mainstay of the sport. Most of the organizations have their own houses, at which the riders are wont to assemble and talk over past rides or plan new tours. Bicycling is the one sport that maintains a club-house exclusively for the sociability of its members, and the benefits of this scheme can be seen in the thousands of riders that have become club members within the last few years.

The San Francisco Bicycle Club was the first one formed in San Francisco. It was established in 1879, and included among its members Columbus Waterhouse, Ralph De Clairmont, and George H. Strong, the present Chief Consul of the Northern California Division. Ex-Governor Perkins, now United States Senator, was the bugler of the club.

All that was possible was done to make riding popular, but for a few years the membership grew very slowly. By 1884, however, the interest in bicycling had grown to such an extent that a new club was formed under the name of the Bay City Wheelmen. It was composed of the younger riders, and was formed more with the idea of encouraging hard road-riding and racing than for the social life of the club. The attempt was successful, and the Bay City Wheelmen rank today as the foremost bicycling club of California.

They held races and tournaments several times a year, and had remarkable success. In the summer of 1884 Cook made his world's record of 37 2-5 seconds for a quarter mile, and by this act gave much prestige to the Club. In July, '85, the Club held a tournament in the Mechanics' Pavilion, to raise funds to defray Cook's expenses to the races that were to be held at Springfield, Massachusetts. The tournament was an unqualified success, but Cook was most unfortunate in his races on the Eastern track. He disabled himself early in the meet, but managed to bring back several trophies of his prowess. 

In February, 1886, the Club discovered another world-beater in one of its members, Frank D. Elwell, who won the fifty-mile race from Gilroy to Menlo Park in 3 hours, 30 minutes, and 59 4-5 seconds, beating the second man by fifteen minutes. 

It was not until 1886-87 that any noticeable improvement began to be made in the development of the sport. The growth at this time was the direct result of the organization of the California Division of the League of American Wheelmen, which was formed on Feb. 18, 1886, with Robert M. Welch as Chief Consul. Little interest was displayed in the organization of the Division, but by the end of the first year of its existence, through the efficient management of Mr. Welch, the membership had increased from 86 to 210.

The pioneer meet of the new Division was held on Decoration Day, 1886, on the baseball grounds at Alameda, and under the auspices of the Bay City Wheelmen and the Alpine Athletic Club. On this occasion met for the first time Davis and Elwell, who so long thereafter were the principal figures on the California racing paths. This inaugurated a new era in bicycle racing, but it was by no means the first tournament that had been held.

The Alameda baseball grounds were AKA Schuetzen Park. There was also a bicycle race track there.

The first so-called championship race was held in December, 1878, in the Mechanics' Pavilion. The race was for one mile, and was won by E. D. Woodman in 4 minutes, 53 seconds. On the same day the five-mile championship was won by Fitzgerald. In November of the same year there was a three days' meet, without rest, which was won by H. C. Eggers, who covered a distance of 523 miles. Fred T. Merrill finished second, and A. A. Bennett came in third. Although Mr. Eggers won some five hundred dollars as his first prize, he was too true a sportsman to accept it, and the entire amount was devoted to charity. The track was six laps to the mile, and being inclined toward Mission Street, was unsafe. The machines ridden were heavy affairs, with plain bearings, and short, straight handles, — far removed from the light, graceful easy-running wheels of today. There is a story told that, during this meet, Edwin Mohrig, who was in the five-mile championship, stopped in the middle of the race to roll up his trousers, which were continually being caught in the spokes of his wheel.

In February, 1879, was held what was probably the first out-door bicycle race on the Pacific Coast. The old Recreation Grounds in San Francisco, at the corner of Twenty-fifth and Folsom streets, was the scene of the contest, and the mile race was won by Searles, with G. Loring Cunningham a close second.

FIVE CYCI.ERS ON A TAHOE TRIP. 

Bicycle races were held at various times, in conjunction with athletic events, but it was not until 1885 that an attempt was made to hold an exclusively bicycle meet or tournament. Four of these were held in the present Mechanics' Pavilion, [second third - MF] and were most successful in point of attendance, but from a racing point of view they could hardly be called such, owing to the extreme danger to the riders, as the track was narrow and the corners unbanked.

In May, 1886, was held the pioneer meet under the new Division; and on September 9th of the same year was inaugurated the first State meet. On this day the first official State championship race was contested at the Bay District Track, San Francisco, and the races provided excellent sport, although no new records were established.

W. G. Davis, Half Mile 1:27 3/4

During the following year, however, several records went under, and this season has gone on record as one of the most successful in the history of the Division. The annual meet of that year was held in Santa Cruz, on July 4th. This place had been agreed upon after much discussion, for Sacramento had been very anxious to obtain the meet, but the intense heat then prevailing in the Capital City induced the wheelmen to choose Santa Cruz as the more desirable spot. The races were held at the mile horse-track, [about here according to this and this - MF] some distance from the heart of the city, but in spite of this fact, there was quite a large attendance. The programme comprised the mile novice, the one-mile Division championship, the ten-mile Division championship, a half-mile scratch, a one mile handicap, and a five-mile handicap. On this occasion, for the first time on the Pacific Coast, the mile was ridden under three minutes, and the meeting was long famous for the records established. George H. Adams first lowered the mile record to 2 minutes and 55 2-5 seconds in the novice race. W. G. Davis cut it down to 2:52 in the mile championship, and C. A. Beiderman cut it down still further by riding it in 2:50 1-5. The three-mile record was lowered to 9:28 3-5 by A. S. Ireland, who started from scratch in the handicap race. W. G. Davis, starting from scratch in the five-mile handicap race, distanced all his competitors, and placed the records for two, four, and five miles at 6:17 1/2, 12:42, and 15:49, respectively.

AN EVEN START. 

What was pre-eminently the race of the day, however, was the ten-mile championship. The starters were Adams, Tinkler, Larzelere, and Adcock. The latter was the sole representative of the Bay City Wheelmen, and all their hopes were centered in him. They were bent on winning this event, for their rivals, the San Francisco Bicycle Club, had scored nearly every point in the previous races. At the signal the men started out for their long ride, Tinkler setting the pace. Mile after mile was covered at a good speed, with Adcock always slightly behind. After four miles the Bay City man began to show signs of weakness and his friends began to give up hope; but behind his slender frame there was a grit and determination that more than made up for his lack of strength, and he stuck by the race with a determination to see it out to the very end. In the eighth mile Larzelere gave out, and Adcock took courage from this and pressed on more eagerly than before. At the beginning of the last mile the pace became terrific. Adcock went to the front, and took the lead from Tinkler. In the last quarter he spurted and drew away from his opponent, finishing in 32 minutes and 2-5 seconds. It was a great race, and all those who saw it will remember it as the one in which all the riders raced from start to finish, and in which it was any man's race until the last few hundred yards.

ROUNDING THE TURN.

When the time came for locating the annual meet of 1888, the Oak Leaf Wheelmen of Stockton made such a generous offer that it was decided to hold the meet in that place. The Oak Leaf Wheelmen built a quarter-mile track at their own expense, and made most elaborate arrangements for the accommodation of its guests. The track was in perfect order, and the intense rivalry between the San Francisco Bicycle Club and the Bay City Wheelmen made the excitement at fever heat. All the interest was centered in Davis and Elwell, who were to come together again for the first time since Davis won from Elwell at Alameda in 1886. These two men were the representatives of the rival clubs, and they knew full well what was expected of them. They were perhaps the coolest of the thousand or more people on the grounds, and their outward appearance, as they lined up for the start, showed little of the intense fire that was burning within them. A slight delay kept the crowd at fever heat, and when at last the men were off the spectators breathed a sigh of relief, and settled down to watch what proved to be the greatest race ever ridden on this Coast. 

The event was the one-mile Division Championship, and besides Davis and Elwell there were entered W. S. Wing, of the Los Angeles Wheelmen, and B. G. Toll, of the Capital City Wheelmen. The men got off well together, and Toll started to make the pace. Wing shot ahead, however, and led the race until the last lap. The other three men kept close behind, riding well together. A fast pace was set all through the race, but on the last lap the riders seemed to shoot ahead faster than ever. As they entered the home stretch they were all struggling desperately for the lead. Nearing the tape, Elwell forged ahead, and then seemed to relapse. Davis coming on close behind shot alongside with a rush, but Elwell recovered himself and crossed the tape so little ahead of his opponent that many people in the grandstand thought that Davis had won the race. The judges decided that Elwell had won the race, and immediately the track was swarming with spectators, some claiming the race for Davis, others clamoring to uphold the decision. Pandemonium reigned supreme, and it was long before order was restored. At no race since has such excitement been displayed, and although on the same day Davis and Elwell again came together in the five-mile national championship, this race was tame by comparison with the most sensational race ever contested on a California track. 

The records established at this meeting were the half-mile, by A. W. Allen of Los Angeles, in 1:22 1/2; one mile, by F. D. Elwell in 2:48 1/2; the two and three miles, by A. S. Ireland. 

By this time cycling in Southern California had increased to such an extent that the representatives from the South numbered a considerable vote. They demanded recognition for the southern part of the State, and in 1889 the annual meet was assigned to the Los Angeles Wheelmen for Decoration Day. But few northern cyclers were represented, and this meet went far toward advancing the sentiment in favor of establishing two Divisions in California. After much effort, the National League was induced to adopt a resolution establishing a Southern California and a Northern California Division, and this rule went into effect just before the last annual meet in July.  [Note the date for the referenced article, 12 December 1892. I think the dates are wrong for the Southern Division in this article. - MF]

In 1890 the annual meet was held in San José, and was marked only by the introduction of the safety bicycle. This wheel has now almost entirely superseded the ordinary or high wheel, and it would be difficult, indeed, to bring together a sufficient number of wheels to supply the men who finished the century run in 1890. This race is made remarkable by the fact that of the 126 men who started, 53 completed the full one hundred miles. The run was from San Francisco to Hollister, and at the latter place a special train brought the riders home. 

The annual meets of 1891 and 1892 were held at Stockton, and proved beyond doubt that the Slough City track was the fastest on the Coast. For several years the Bay City Wheelmen had been anxious to secure control of the annual Division meet, but until 1893 they were compelled to see other clubs walk off with the coveted prize. The fact that they had no suitable track on which to hold the meet gave the other clubs an immense advantage, and they determined to build a track that would excel all others. 

The annual championship of 1893 was awarded to the Bay Citys on March 11th, but no work was begun on their track until May 16th. All plans and arrangements had been made, however, and work proceeded very rapidly. In the course of two weeks the entire track was finished and ready for trial. It succeeded beyond expectations. The novel shape and the material of which it was composed at once aroused much wonder and criticism. The track is a five-lap one, and is built on the large lot known as Central Park, at the corner of Eighth and Market streets. It is made of rough concrete, and is banked very high at the curves. The track is about thirty feet wide, and at the highest point is about eighteen feet, thus making an angle of nearly sixty degrees with the ground. The advantages of this idea have been established beyond doubt, by the fact that since the erection of the "new-fangled track" three of the Coast records have been lowered without apparent exertion.

GREAT BICYCLE TOURNAMENT

The new track was formally opened on July 1st by the Bay City Wheelmen. The programme that had been laid out was a most alluring one, and brought hundreds of bicyclists from all parts of the State. The meet opened on Saturday with the first day's races. Not as many records were broken as had been expected, owing to the high wind, but Walter Foster, B. C. W., managed to lower the half mile record from 1:12 to 1:11. 

THE START FOR THE BARBECUE.

On Sunday no races were held, but a barbecue run and picnic brought out nearly one hundred riders. The ride from the club-house to Golden Gate Park and from thence past Lake Honda to Lake Merced will be remembered by all who participated in it as one of the most enjoyable days they ever spent. How well the commissary department had attended to its duties was evinced by the fact that no one had to leave the table hungry, even though they were wheelmen and had ridden nearly twenty miles.

OTTO ZIEGLER, DIVISION CHAMPION. Half Mile, 1:08 1-5.

On Monday the second day's races were held, and the increased attendance showed the hold that the sport had taken on the people. Otto Ziegler, of the San José Road Club, won the one-mile Division Championship, beating Walter Foster only by a few inches. The disuse into which the high wheels had fallen was clearly shown on this day. The second event on the programme was the One Mile Ordinary Scratch Race, and among those entered was Sterlina, of the Capital City Road Club. When all was ready for the start, Sterlina brought out his safety but was told that a high wheel was necessary for this race. He was forced to confess that he did not know that an Ordinary race was for ordinary wheels and not for ordinary riders. 

The third day's races on July 4th opened with a whirl and a start, and the 4,000 people present were shown some of the closest races that have been held in years. Ziegler, who had won fame for himself the day before, again astonished the public by lowering the record in the quarter mile from 33 seconds to 32 4-5. 

Lewis Fox, of the Pomona College Athletic Club, came to the meet with an established reputation, and he not only lived up to it, but he far exceeded all that had been expected of him. He lowered the two mile record from 5:24 to 5:09 2-5, cutting off 15 seconds without apparently trying. 

The tournament was brought to a most enjoyable close by the "smoker," given under the auspices of the Bay City Wheelmen on the night of the Fourth. 

WALTER FOSTER. One Mile, 2:26 4-5.

The "smokers," card parties, ladies' nights, and Sunday outings, are features peculiar to bicycle clubs, and these amusements hold the riders together by a bond stronger than the desire to win a race ever could be. 

The greater development in speed during the past few years has been owing, in a major part, to the improvements in the wheels. When the safeties or "goats" were first introduced in 1888, it was predicted that it was only a passing fad, and could not, under any consideration, compete against the high wheels. The introduction of the pneumatic tire in 1890, however, changed the aspect of things, and enabled the safety to hold its own on all occasions. 

The rapid development of the bicycle has been a source of wonder to many people, especially to those living in the country, and it is with some amusement that a cyclist finds himself surrounded by a crowd of curious folk, anxious to see "how he works it." This has not been the case during the past two or three years, but during the early part of 1890, when the high wheels were in vogue, such things were a common occurrence. During the century run to Hollister there were people who had come twenty-five miles to see the wheels. 

Although bicycling has done little directly, it has done much indirectly, to improve the condition of the country roads. The constant cry of the cyclist is for "good roads," and when he makes a trip through San Mateo County, and finds smooth, well-watered roads, he feels the benefit of it, and is sure to compare it with the dusty, uneven roads around Petaluma. By unfavorable comparison, and by means of facts and figures as to the cost of constructing and maintaining a good road, the cyclist is able to convince the farmers that it will be to their advantage to maintain a well-watered road. 

Road-racing has of late years become one of the most popular modes of testing the speed and endurance of the various riders. The annual time handicap race from Los Angeles to Santa Monica is one of the most popular events of the year. The intense rivalry between the two cities brings out a number of men who could not otherwise be induced to enter a race. 

The one hundred mile relay race between the Acme Club of Oakland and the Bay City Wheelmen attracted considerable attention, and was the means of increasing the interest in the sport to a considerable extent. The race was held in May, and was ridden by teams of ten. The route was from San Francisco to San José, and around to Oakland. The entire trip was made in 5 hours and 48 minutes, and was won by the Acme Club, much to the surprise of the Bay City Wheelmen. They had expected an easy victory, and consequently had done but very little training. Foster, of the Bay Citys, and Samson, of the Acmes, did some remarkable riding. Each one of them gained over two minutes on his opponent. 

Although the annual championship meet is the principal event of the year, the various tournaments that are held between times are very important, and each club endeavors to send as many men as possible to the meets, so as to bring out every likely candidate for championship honors. 

The present champions are well scattered through the various clubs. The quarter-mile record is held by H. Terrill, B. C. W., in 32 seconds, and was made at the electric light meet held by the Bay City Wheelmen in the latter part of August. Terrill is a strong, muscular rider, and has come forward as a racer only within the past year. 

Walter Foster, also of the Bay City Wheelmen, holds the Coast record for both the half and the one-mile races. 

His half-mile record of 1:09 was also made at the electric light meet in a handicap race where he started from scratch. His mile record of 2:26 4-5 was made at Alhambra, California, about a year ago. He has since ridden the distance on the Bay City's new track in 2:22, but as this was done on a Sunday it will not be allowed as a record. 

Lewis Fox, of Pomona, who holds the record for two miles, has also distinguished himself in track athletics. He has run a hundred yards under 10 1/2 seconds, and his ability as a sprinter seems all the more remarkable because it is seldom that a bicycle rider is any sort of a runner.

WILBUR J. EDWARDS OF THE GARDEN CITY CYCLERS

Wilbur Edwards, of the Garden City Cyclers, is one of the crack riders of the Coast, and although he is always close to the top, has never been able to hold a Coast record. When in condition he is able to hold his own against either Foster or Fox, for any distance up to five miles. 

GRANT BELL, Five Miles, 14:18.

LEWIS W. FOX, PACIFIC COAST CHAMPION. Two Miles, 5:09 2-5.

Grant Bell, Acme, is one of the oldest riders and one of the most enthusiastic sportsmen. He holds the record for five miles in 14:18, and on the same Sunday that Foster broke his record he rode the distance in 13:39. 

One of the main troubles with the racers in the past has been that they would appear for one season and make a record, and then retire from the track and rest on their laurels. This will not be the case in the future, as most of the racers are young men and all are eager to claim the championship. With the many candidates for this honor, it would be hard to name those most likely to be the principal competitors, for every day new names from all parts of the State are added to the already long list of those who have become prominent in bicycling. 

The ladies have taken a noticeable part in cycling during the past few years, and it is estimated that there are over three hundred lady cyclers in San Francisco alone. The introduction of the safety bicycle instead of the high wheels for the male riders has been of inestimable benefit to womankind as well. As soon as the value of the safety had been seen, the manufacturers went to work to adapt it for lady riders. They succeeded so well, that the old-fashioned heavy tricycle has been entirely discarded, and but little else than the pneumatic wheel is to be seen nowadays. The light wheels enable the invalid as well as the healthy girl to ride and at the same time gain pleasure and health. 

For those ladies who wish an escort on their rides, the tandem safety has been devised, and the immense sale of this style of wheel brings the thought that there are many girls who are anxious to ride, but who are too timid to try without the arm of a brother to assist them. 

Myrtile Cerf.