The Fastest Slow Guy You Know: San Francisco Cycle Racing Association, Charles A. Wikidel

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

San Francisco Cycle Racing Association, Charles A. Wikidel

I found an auction on ebay for a 'scorer tag' from the San Francisco Bicycle Racing Association. It piqued my curiosity. It appears that the San Francisco Bicycle Racing Association was a one-year experiment by Charles A. Wikidel, a former chef and perhaps a bit of a shifty promoter, who developed, improved and enlarged the track at Central Park, promoted races, tried to introduce women's professional racing to San Francisco, put on races which got negative reviews, then left for the Alaska gold fields in the Yukon, I believe with a brother T. E. Wikidel, where he sold records, record players, opened a restaurant. I can find no record of him after about 1907. The scorer card apparently was granted to J. W. Coffroth. You can read more about him below. It's dated May 23rd, which was a Saturday in 1896, and you can read the article about that day's racing below, look for the article beginning with:"BICYCLING. Races at Central Park, San Francisco. SAN FRANCISCO, May 23"

https://www.ebay.com/itm/401617362945
1890s Scorer Tag from the San Francisco Bicycle Racing Association

James Wood Coffroth (1872-1943): West Coast Promoter of Boxing, Horse Racing and Tourism

Joel Levanetz

https://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/v55-4/v55-4levanetz.pdf

LANGLEY'S SAN FRANCISCO DIRECTORY For the Year commencing May 1890

https://books.google.com/books?id=WWowAQAAMAAJ&lpg=PA1367&ots=GtYd3G9DMA&dq=charles%20A.%20%22wikidel%22%20langley's&pg=PA1367#v=onepage&q=charles%20A.%20%22wikidel%22%20langley's&f=false

Ladie's Bicycle Tournament.

A ladies' bicycle tournament, open to all California lady riders, will take place at the Mechanics' Pavilion on the nights of February 3 to February 8. beginning at 8 o'clock on the night of February 3 and ending at 11 o'clock on the night of February 8. Riding to take place between the above-named hours each night. One thousand dollars in cash prizes to be distributed during the week. The starting and scoring to be under the management of some well-known club, to be mentioned later. Ladies desiring to participate will please communicate with the undersigned. For hall space and privileges and programme, advertising and further information inquire of Charles A. Wikidel, rooms 2 and 4, 1049 Market street.

Sun, Jan 12, 1896 – Page 7 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

Thu, Jan 23, 1896 – Page 7 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

On the first night a race for a club cup has been arranged, for which the majority of the clubs will enter a crack rider. The list of events is being arranged by Manager Charles A. Wikidel, and will be announced soon. The illustration shows the track used last season marked by dotted lines, and the proposed track in solid black.

FOR INDOOR CYCLE RACING. Thu, Jan 23, 1896 – 5 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

Within a few days the work of building an eight-lap bicycle track in the Mechanics' Pavilion will be begun under the supervision of Frank Elwell, the veteran rider. It is intended by Charles Wikidel, who is furnishing the funds, about $1000, to build the track to give a six days' tournament from March 5 to March 11, in which the best of the cyclists of the country, professional class A and class B, will compete.

EIGHT LAPS TO THE MILE Thu, Jan 23, 1896 – Page 16 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
The track is expected to be both safe and fast, as tho turns will be much wider than those on last year's track. The banking will be extended all the way around, with the exception of a short space on the center of each straightaway. It is expected that some of the men now in training in the south will take part in the races, and it tha track prove fast special trials for indoor records will be made. Entries close with C. A. Wikidel, the manager, on February 24th.

DID THE RACING BOARD ERR. Wed, Jan 29, 1896 – 5 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
The list of events prepared by Charles A. Wikidel, the manager of the tournament, together with the prizes, is as follows: ...

INDOOR BICYCLE RACING. Wed, Jan 29, 1896 – Page 10 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Meeting of the California Associated Cycling Clubs Last Night. After listening to some remarks by Charles A. Wikidel, the manager of the coming indoor racing tournament, the meeting adjourned at midnight.

ORGANIZED WHEELMEN. Mon, Feb 3, 1896 – Page 5 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

Feb 29, 1896 The Wasp

Much Interest Being Manifested by Wheelmen and the Public.

THERE is a real awakening in the bicycle world, all brought about by the

arrival from the East sometime ago of Charles A. Wikidel, the bicycling

tournament expert. That he thoroughly understands his business is ad-

mitted on all sides, and the coming indoor tournament and cycle show,

CHARLES A. WIKIDEL.

which opens in the Mechanic's Pavilion on March 5th and end March nth

(both days inclusive), promises to excel anything of the kind ever held

here. The competitions will be held on an S-lap track, which is being

built by the celebrated expert, Elwell,and the fact that it will be the largest

indoor track ever constructed in this country has created an interest in the

show, which appears to be universal among wheelmen and non-riders alike.

It is certainly an enterprise which deserves public recognition, and as Mr.

Wikidel has successfully managed similar tournaments in the leading cities

in the East, the coming event promises to be interesting. Large sums will

be given away in prizes, including handsome souvenirs.

https://archive.org/stream/wasp189635unse/wasp189635unse_djvu.txt

Special concessions have been made to Manager Wikidel by the Southern Pacific and by the North Paciflc railroads, by which people with return tickets from any point ...

Thu, Mar 5, 1896 – Page 3 · The Petaluma Courier (Petaluma, Sonoma, California) · Newspapers.com
That the racers might have no complaint whatever, and to insure their absolute safety and to have a perfect track, Manager Wikidel attended a meeting of the directors of the Mechanics' Institute Tuesday evening and offered to pay the entire cost of removing the pots and placing in their stead two arches to support that portion of the gallery.

FUN FOR BIKERS TO-NIGHT. Thu, Mar 5, 1896 – Page 10 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

Thu, Mar 5, 1896 – 13 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

During the week, however, the management of the Pavilion tournaments decided that as the track will not have to be removed from the building until the end of this week it would hold three days' professional racing — Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings—the races to be competed in by the champion women riders of the world. How Manager Wikidel got these people out here so quickly and without, anyone knowing his intentions seems a mystery, but it is a fact that they are here and stopping at the Palace Hotel.

On Monday evening the three star lady bicyclists of the world arrived. They are Miss Dottie Farnsworth of Minneapolis, Miss Peterson of Chicago and Miss Mack of New York City. They are under the management of A. A. Hanson, the world's long-distance road champion, whose arrival here was noted in yesterday's Call. The ladies hold remarkable records for both long and short distance riding. Miss Farnsworth's best record is 300 miles, made on a seventeen-lap track, in 15 hours 45 minutes, and she also holds the hour record of twenty-one miles, seven laps, made on a twelve-lap track.

WELLS IS THE CHAMPION Thu, Mar 12, 1896 – Page 5 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Last night at the Pavilion the California Associated Cycling Clubs had charge of the racing tournament on the indoor track, and the races were conducted with a snap and vim which betokened old hands at the business. It was by far the best evening's entertainment offered during the tournament, and that this was fully appreciated was evidenced by the enthusiasm shown by the large crowd present.

The management at the Pavilion has fully decided to conduct the ladies' three days' tournament, even though the associated clubs and the League of American Wheelmen do not thoroughly approve of the innovation. The dealers have expressed themselves very thoroughly as against the ladies' tournament, claiming that the sport had received a splendid boom by the amateur tournament, and they fear that this will be dissipated and the sport lowered in the estimation of the public by the women racing.

On the other hand, the management claims that the ladies are all good riders, who have competed before immense audiences in the East, the New York, Chicago and Minneapolis tournaments being particularly successful. They are the champions of the sport in their branch, and have been brought here at considerable expense. They will be dressed neatly in modest riding costumes, and will present a very natty appearance. Manager Wikidel claims that his intention to bring these people here was known to the Dealers' Associated Clubs and L. A. W. officials long before the amateur tournament started, and that had they then expressed their disapproval he might have reconsidered the matter. Inasmuch as they are here now, however, he proposes to run the races Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings, and says he expects large crowds and knows that the racing will be exciting and will be conducted in a manner that will meet with the approval of the most particular.

As far as the Pavilion itself is concerned the directors of the Mechanics' Institute rented it to Manager Wikidel up to and including next Sunday night to hold cycle races. They cannot regulate the style or classes of races he shall hold, and there is no likelihood that the racing board of the league would say that no more amateur tournaments should be held in the Pavilion hereafter if the coming ladies' tournament was permitted. While this was done at Madison-square Gardens, New York, recently, it is unlikely that any such snap judgment would be rendered in the present instance.

As the matter now stands the dealers, with but one or two exceptions, claim that they will move their exhibits this morning. The associated flubs and the League of American Wheelmen will withdraw all officials and have no further connection with the tournament, while the management will go ahead and conduct the races just the same, saying they will suffer nothing by the lack of support from those organizations. The women are all fast riders and the contests will at least be interesting from their very novelty.

WELLS BEAT EDWARDS. Fri, Mar 13, 1896 – Page 11 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

LADIES' CONTEST ENDED.

Pavilion Cycle Tournament Stopped for Lack of Patronage.

The proposed three days' ladies' bicycle tournament at the Mechanics' Pavilion was terminated last night, after two days' riding, as Manager Wikidel found that the public did not care for the sport.

The track will be removed to-morrow and early in April the construction of a six-lap board track in Central Park will be commenced, which will be used only for races sanctioned by the League of American Wheelmen.

The score of the ladies' tournament at the finish last night for six hours' riding was: Miss Farnsworth, 109 miles 5 laps; Miss Mack, 109 miles 5 laps Miss West, 79 miles 4 laps; Miss Peterson, 109 miles 3 laps. There was only a small audience present and little enthusiasm manifested. The riders will return East in a day or two.

LADIES' CONTEST ENDED. Sun, Mar 15, 1896 – Page 9 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
It is situated at the corner of Eighth and Market Streets, and it is known as Central Park. ... Between now and then Central Park will be transformed. Charles A. Wikidel has taken a lease of the place and is going to spend a great deal of money upon it. He has assured "The Examiner" that by the date of the Berkeley champion's Field Day it will be fit for Olympians to battle. The principal work before Mr. Wikidel is the construction of the bicycle track, which will be begun Immediately.

Sat, Mar 28, 1896 – 8 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

R. M. Welch of the National Racing Board of the League of American Wheelmen, located in this City, lias issued a most interesting bulletin for this week. It is as follows:
[Bulletin No. 7] April 17, 1896.
Sanctions granted— April 23, La Fiesta, Los Angeles, Cal.; May 2, San Francisco Examiner's field day, San Francisco, Cal. ; May 16 San Francisco Cycle Racing Association, San Francisco, Cal.

THE FIELD OF SPORT Sat, Apr 18, 1896 – Page 10 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

Unprecedented Number of Entries for Saturday's Coast Championship Field Day. Manager Wikidel, who made such a success of the Mechanic's Pavilion bicycle track, is rushing the work night and day on the new wheeling track in Central Park.

BOUND TO BE A GREAT SUCCESS. Wed, Apr 29, 1896 – 7 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

S. F. Cycle Racing Association Central Park Larges prizes ever offered Chas. A. Wikidel, Manager Sun, May 10, 1896 – 34 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

BICYCLE RACES Sun, May 17, 1896 – Page 1 · The Record-Union (Sacramento, Sacramento, California) · Newspapers.com

Sat, May 16, 1896 – 5 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

BICYCLE RACES.

Those Held at San Francisco Yesterday of Very Poor Order.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 10.—A moderate sized crowd braved the cold wind and gathered at Central Park this afternoon to shiver and hiss while a number of professional bicycle riders gave an imitation of racing under the auspices of the San Francisco Cycle Racing Association. The racers were not restricted by time limits and loafed as they pleased. The summary explains why a large portion of the audience left the grounds before the races were concluded.

One mile scratch, professional, first heat, W. A. Terrill won, J. F. Stayer second. Time —2:33 4-5. Second heat, C. S. Wells won, O. Osen second. Time —2:30 2-5. Third heat. C. L. Davis won, R. L. Long second. Time — 2.50 4-5. Fourth heat, C. R. Coulter won, H. E. McCrea second. Time — 2:39 4-5. Final. C. S. Wells won, W. A. Terrill second, C. R. Coulter third. Time—2:3B 4-5.

One mile handicap, amateur, first heat, H. H. Fried lander (110) won, E. Chapman (20) second. Time —2:32. Second heat, J. Mack (ifO) won, G. M. Hamlin <30) second. Time—2:22 2-5. Third heat. P. R. Mott (20) won, C. Goodwin (70) s:eond. Time —2:15 3-5. Fourth heat. M. M. Cook (80) won. J. S. F.rereton (100) second. Time—2:2o 2-5. Fifth heat,

BICYCLE RACES Sun, May 17, 1896 – Page 1 · The Record-Union (Sacramento, Sacramento, California) · Newspapers.com

Match Race on Tandems Entries for Saturday's races close positively with Manager C. A. Wikidel at the track to-day.

RIVALS THE PONY EXPRESS. Wed, May 20, 1896 – 10 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

San Francisco Cycle Racing Association CHAS A. WIKIDEL, Manager Fri, May 22, 1896 – 5 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

BICYCLING.
Races at Central Park, San Francisco.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 23.—The regular Saturday afternoon meet of the San Francisco Cycle Racing Association at Central Park to-day was largely attended. The racing was of an improved order. Summaries:
One mile handicap, amateur, final. J. E Wing (35) won, P. 11. Mutt (2<o second, P. M. Lefevre (50) third. Time— •2:21 2-H.
Two-thirds of a mile, scratch, professiona —first heat, W. A. Terell \\ m, C. F. Coulter second. Time—l:4l :!-.">. Second heat. H. E. McCrea won, B. G. Parker second. Time—l:47 4-5. Third heat, H. F. Terrell won, W. F. Foster second. Time —1:29 4-5. Fourth heat, J. M. Campbell won. R. L. Long second. Time—l:4o. Fifth heat. J. E. Edwards won, C. S. Wells second. Time —1:35 2-.~>. Final, H. E. McCrea won, W. A. Terrell Second, J. M. Campbell third. Time—l:s2. FOUR

Sun, May 24, 1896 – Page 1 · The Record-Union (Sacramento, Sacramento, California) · Newspapers.com

A conference was held by R. M. Welch of the [L. A. W.'s] Racing Board, J. M. Hamilton of the Cycle Board of Trade and C. A. Wikidel, manager of the Central Park track. The matter of the support of the track was discussed in all its phases, but no conclusion was reached. It is probable, however, that the clubs which desire the use of the track must pay a stated fee for it, and in addition, that the trade will be asked to assist in its support, if it believes its presence beneficial.

CYCLERS OUT IN FORCE. Mon, Jun 8, 1896 – 14 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Last year the meet was controlled by the ex-chef of the Hotel del Coronado, one Wikidel, whose unpopularity grew with the progress of the meet, until to some of the riders and exhibitors he was simply unbearable.

THE SPORTING WORLD. Sat, Mar 13, 1897 – Page 8 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Charles J. [sic] Wikidel, who successfully managed the cycle show and indoor tournament here in the spring of 1896, is again in the City. He has been traveling extensively since be left here, and is now bound for Alaska. He will leave next Monday morning. Meanwhile Mr. Wikidel is renewing his many acquaintances in the cycle trade and clubs.

Wed, Aug 4, 1897 – Page 12 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

Never has such cycle racing been seen in this city at an out-door meet as was witnessed at Central Park yesterday at the national circuit races held under the auspices of the San Francisco Cycle Racing Association. The races were without exception the most closely contested events seen here for years. The track was kept clear of all but officials, much to the satisfaction of the spectators.

PEDALED HARD FOR PRIZES. Sun, May 24, 1896 – Page 36 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com
C. A. Wikidel, who promoted a successful cycle show last year, is preparing to leave for Alaska on Monday. He has four stout St. Bernard dogs and two year's supply of food with which to invade the northern gold fields.