This article, When Presidents Day Was Bicycle Day in The Atlantic inspired me to research "Bicycle Day", locally. I'd heard of it. The first mention is during the boom of the late 1890s. Interest picks back up in 1916, I think prodded by the bicycle industry, but I think you can also catch a glimpse of a country remembering its love for the bike, after a fifteen year affair with the motorized vehicles. Note, there is a very different Bicycle Day. I imagine there was some convergence of the two in the 1960s. This is a lot of text, but there's some really good nuggets below, especially if you are a Bay Area cyclist and interested in where we come from, what bicycle culture existed before. This post is really about the April 9th, 1916 Bicycle Day in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, but it's also a way of seeing a time when we as a region were bicycle people, then forgot about it. One of the reasons I write on this blog is because I think that we are becoming bicycle people again. I see that heyday of the bicycle coming back. I have to.
If you've been following some of my other blog posts, this one will tie a lot of the names together. This kind of history research is like a big puzzle, for me. This post helps me fill in a lot of the missing pieces. I'll probably revise this, linking more names as time goes by.
There are almost no women mentioned or pictured in the articles below. Bicycle Day was obviously not for women in 1916, in San Francisco. I wonder if we'd gone backwards, as a society, regarding equal opportunity and the conception of what women could do, in 1916. Certainly women rode bikes in the 1890s, and bicycle culture and the bloomerites were a big contributor to feminism.
Oakland celebrated Bicycle Day on Tuesday, February 29th. It was a leap year.
The posts below are in chronological order.
ORGANIZING THE CARNIVAL.
Meeting to Be Held Friday Evening at the California Hotel. Sun, Jan 17, 1897 – Page 18 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
...
Early in the coming week, under the direction of F. H. Kerrigan, the wheelmen's representatives of the Cycling Club and Cycle Board of Trade will be called together to arrange the programme for "Bicycle Day," and to see what Eastern riders of not can be obtained to compete in the races of that day.
...
Sun, Jan 24, 1897 – Page 11 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Cyclers to Hold Big Annyal Event Thu, Feb 17, 1916 – Page 7 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com
Sat, Feb 19, 1916 – Page 11 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com
A movement is under way to have a "bicycle day" celebrated at the Park Stadium on February 27th. A programme of events is being mapped out, and an effort will be made to secure the three quarter mile horse track.
Ernest Orht, brother of Hans, Percy Lawrence and Lloyd Thomas are the San Francisco boys who started last night In the six day race at Kansas City. Willie Hanley has returned to New York, where he will undergo an operation to have his tonsils removed.
BICYCLE DAY AT THE STADIUM NEXT SUNDAY Sun, Feb 20, 1916 – Page 53 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com
All over the country February 29th is known as Bicycle day. [1916 was a leap year. - MF] Inasmuch as that date falls on Tuesday, it has been decided by the San Franciscans who are interested to celebrate on the Sunday preceding.
Frank Carroll of the Goodyear Tire Company has taken the initiative and has been appointed the head of a committee that will see to it nothing is lacking when the programme is carried out. Bicycle and motor-cycle dealers have been brought together, as well as representatives of the wheeling clubs, to boost the thing along.
There will be bicycle races for the kids, schoolboys, old-timers and the racing enthusiasts of today, all' with suitable prizes.
James Mullen, formerly captain of the Olympic Club Wheelmen, and Judge Frank Kerrigan, once with the Bay City Wheelmen, are among those who will lend their efforts. The veterans are to meet at McKinley monument, in Golden Gate Park, and will ride to the stadium.
It is planned to hold a special race for old-timers, including Walter Foster, Orlando Stevens, Charles S. Howard, George Fuller, George Kroetz, J. H. Nash, J. W. Leavitt, Ed. Mohrig and Tom Spillane.
A special meeting will be held Monday night and a general committee meeting Tuesday night, at the offices of Frank Carroll of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Van Ness avenue and Sutter street.
TO CELEBRATE 'BICYCLE DAY,' A NEW EVENT IN SPORT Fri, Feb 25, 1916 – 13 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
turn out full force in the Golden Gate park stadium on Saturday to celebrate "Bicycle Day" with a great round-up and meet.
Those who are to take part will assemble at the McKinley monument, Baker and Fell streets, at 1 o'clock. Headed by a band of fourteen pieces, the riders will proceed through the park to the stadium, where the racing is scheduled to start shortly after 2 o'clock. A one-mile race among Postal, Federal and Western Union messenger boys in uniform will inaugurate the racing programme.
Many of the most notable of the old-time bicycle riders will be seen again in the colors of the clubs which they represented years ago, and only a few of which are still in existence. Judge Frank Kerrigan has been designated as captain of the Bay City Wheelmen, and Lieutenant Charles Birdsall of the police department will be seen in the colors of the California Cyclers' Club. Joseph S. Lewis will represent the San Francisco Road Club, and other organizations will include the Imperial Cyclers, led by Joe Catanich; the Olympic Club, James Mullen; Acme Wheelmen, Jack Kitchen; Garden City Wheelmen, Joe Desimone; New Century Wheelmen, Al Grunegar.
Ed Russ of the Olympic Club, one of the fastest of the cracks of twenty years ago, will be among the starters in the race for old-timers. So many entries have been received for this event for veterans who feel they have still one more good sprint in them, that the committee will likely have to arrange half a dozen heats before a winner is decided.
Hans Ohrt, national amateur champion, who carried the colors of the Olympic Club to victory at the Newark Velodrome last season, will be seen in a special match race against Eddie Carrol, his speedy teammate, who is expected to invade the East this year. [Proper spelling is "Eddie Carroll". - MF]
One mile race between the Postal, Federal and Western Union messenger boys: must have uniforms.
Boys from 8 to 12 years of age - one lap.
Boys from 12 to 16 years of age - one lap.
Heats of the two-mile - open.
Olympic Club juveniles.
First heat of the match - Carroll vs. Ohrt.
Old-timers' race, ranging from 30 to 40 years - one lap.
Second heat of the match - Carroll vs. Ohrt.
Real old-timers' race, ranging in age from 40 to 100 years.
Final two-mile - open.
Race for policemen on bicycle, 1/2-mile.
CITY WILL OBSERVE BICYCLE DAY Fri, Feb 25, 1916 – Page 16 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
CELEBRATE BIKE DAY AT THE STADIUM ON SUNDAY Sat, Feb 26, 1916 – Page 11 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com
Everybody who has a bike, or can beg, borrow or steal one, is cordially invited to participate, and those thousands who can hearken back to the time when the speed marvels thrilled them, as they speeded around the saucer tracks are expected to act the role of spectators.
Riders will assemble for the round-up at the McKinley monument, Baker and Fell streets. The run will start promptly at 1:30 o'clock, and the bike stars of various generations will be preceded by a band of fourteen pieces. A slow and easy pace will be set by the acting captains in the jaunt through the park, as the races are not scheduled to commence before 2:15.
Moving pictures are to be taken en route, as well as of the various contests set for competition at the stadium, Match races, open races and burlesque stunts will feature the programme, and valuable prizes are to be awarded.
The list of events follows:
One-mile race between the Postal Federal and Western Union messenger boys (must have uniforms).
Boys from 8 to 12 years of age-one lap.
Boys from 12 to 16 years of age-one lap.
Heats of the two-mile-open.
Olympic Club Juveniles.
First heat of the match-Carroll vs. Obrt.
Old-timers' race, ranging from 30 to 40 years-one lap.
This next one might have you scratching your head. See if you can get into the spirit. Why was it in the newspaper, in Scots dialect? I don't know. This guy also wrote the day's recap of the Bicycle Day event, further down.
HOO'S A' WI' YE THE DAY Sat, Feb 26, 1916 – 11 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
When I hear't thet they wur tae gang oot in a procession tae the Park Stadium I thocht they wur daft, but yestre'en yin o them talkit me intae takin' a ride wi' them an' noo I'm fear't I'm as big a loon as any o them.
Ye see, Frank Carroll, wha's aye startin' somethin', got the idea in his heid thet it wud be fine tae get a the auld yins oot tae the park an' mak them whurl the pedals. He wisna sure whether the lads' wud fa' fur his plan, but when he askit them they jist fell a' ower him in thur desire tae get on a wheel again. Some o' them went intae the basemants an' dug up auld-fashion't high wheels an they're quite wullin' tae mak spectacles o' themsels, ridin' thae oot-o'-date velocipedes through the city's big playgrun.
Weel, this lad Knapp won a race an' his pertner, Woodside, won anither race, an' Temple did mair tricks than ye cud shake a stick at, an' we a' went hame satisfied, altho' we wud raither hae seen the Scotties win.
An' here's Wilbur oot here noo, an' lookin like he cud gang oot an' win races even yet. But I ken Wilbur wis a mon when I wis but a laddie an' if he's no ower auld tae gang oot, whit wey should I no gang?
[I found evidence of races in which Knapp, Woodside and Temple all competed, but none in Glasgow ("Glascae") in about June 1887. - MF]
It wis a prood day fur Alameda when Walter cam in aheid o' a' thae graun' racers frae San Francisco an' San Jose. Wilbur Edwards wis there tae, an' he's gaun' oot the morn. I'm tell't thet Jock Leavitt says he'll be there, but I hae ma doots. Jock's gettin' sae stoot thet he his trouble playin' golf.
It's a shame tae see a lot o' young yins like Nat Messer, an' Jock Suits an Phil Prather and Jock Kitchen hornin intae an auld mon's perty, but ye canna keep thae young fellows doon, an I suppose we'll hae tae staun' fur it.
I see whaur the auld-timers wull race twa miles. I hope the Society fur the Suppression o' Cruelty tae Children wull no come oot an' stop the proceeding.
BICYCLE DAY CELEBRATED BY A MILE SPRINT Wed, Mar 1, 1916 – Page 12 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
[The San Francisco Bicycle Day was postponed several times, due to weather. Oakland went ahead with theirs on February 29th. It was a leap year. Sanford Behr won this race, and also the 14-18 boys race at San Francisco's Bicycle Day. I would totally recruit him for Oakland Composite, if I wasn't 103 years too late. - MF]
Louis Keller, 776 Sixteenth street, took third place, three seconds behind the winner. All three received substantial prizes, while all who competed were presented with souvenir fobs by the Goodyear company.
The event was promoted by E. C. Newbauer, local manager for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber company. Before the race, a crowd of over fifty cyclists mounted upon every variety of ancient and modern bicycles gathered at the Goodyear agency for a re-union and celebration of the day. Officials at the race were E. C. Newbauer, O. B. Clark, and P. R. Latourette.
Perry Street is now MacArthur Blvd, it was renamed, along with others in 1942 in honor of General Douglas MacArthur. This is the route of the race:
OLD-TIMERS READY FOR 'BICYCLE DAY' Thu, Mar 2, 1916 – 11 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
The forced postponement has not dampened the ardor of Frank Carroll, who is in charge the arrangements for the event. Carroll is confident that the extra week's time will give any of the old timers who might have been chary about mounting a wheel again the opportunity to get into shape for the events, and that the entry list will be larger than ever.
[Tall bikes were a thing then, too I guess. - MF]
Bicycle Day (and tall bike) Sun, Mar 5, 1916 – Page 18 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Cyclists Preparing for Their Day Sunday Wed, Apr 5, 1916 – 14 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Provision has been made for an acceptable substitute for the match race between Hans Ohrt and Eddie Carroll. Carroll has left for the East and will be unable to participate, but instead there will be a one-mile invitational event in which some of the best cyclers in this vicinity will participate. Ohrt and Harry Hoffman will wear Olympic Club colors, Hammitt and De Brie will ride for the New Century Club, Girard and Simondi for Oakland and Simondi and Eisentrout [not Eisentraut] for San Jose.
There will also be a tandem race in which Ohrt and Hoffman will meet Sangalli and Hammitt. The riders will start from the park panhandle at 1:30 o'clock and make their way to the park stadium. The first race of the day will start at 2:30 o clock.
OLD TIME CYCLISTS IN LINE Fri, Apr 7, 1916 – 14 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
A number of members of the police department, were riders of note in their time and Lieutenant Charles Birdsall and Lieutenant Robert Coulter were known to fame as wheelman in the days of the California Cycling Club. A gold medal has been offered for the policeman's race and these two old-time cracks will be opposed by a number of other bicyclists of the force. Including Tom White of the Traffic Squad and James Watson, who made a name for himself as a bicycle racer in Los Angeles.
The higher-ups in the messenger service have been taking a lively interest in the race for messenger boys and the pick of the lads who work for the various telegraph companies and the messenger services will be on hand for the race. The boys are all in condition, their duties requiring them to ride many miles per day and the wheels have been getting a lot of care during the past few weeks.
Frank E. Carroll, chairman of the bicycle day committer, has issued a general invitation to any one who can ride a bicycle to be on hand for the big parade, which is to start from the McKinley monument at 1 o'clock. The parade will be led by the officials of the day, among whom will be Herman Eggers, the man who won the six-day race in the Mechanics Pavilion in 1879. Eggers will ride the identical wheel on which he won that famous event.
Robert Russ, another pioneer who has preserved his steel steed of the older days, will be in the front of the procession. All the old boys have been practising so that their wheels will not run away from them when they get on a grade. When the bicyclists reach the Stadium track there will be races for every class of cycler from the youngest to the oldest. Judge Frank H. Kerrigan has called out all the old Bay City Wheelmen and James W. Mullen has notified all the members of the old Olympic Wheelmen to be on hand.
BIKE RIDERS TO PAY HOMAGE TO THE SPORT TODAY Sat, Apr 8, 1916 – Page 11 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
The "Bicycle Day" run a-wheel will start at the entrance of the Panhandle at 1:30 and will be led by a band on wheels and followed by the ex-captains of the former bicycle clubs. A slow pace will be set by the captains leading the run and all are welcome. Many of the old high-wheelers will be in line. At the Stadium trotting track, reached via the main drive, the program of races will he staged with races for messenger boys, policemen, firemen, schoolboys, Olympic juveniles, old timers, novices and four races for the fastest coast riders, featuring the one-mile invitation race, with best two riders from each club. Entered in the lineup are Hans Ohrt, Harry Hoffman. Olympic Club; Walter Hammett, Leslie Drurv, New Century: George Lemonde. Nick Eisentrout, [not Eisentraut] Garden City Wheelmen: Art Wiseman, Ray Girard, Acme Wheelmen.
All the riders will meet in the three-mile handicap and two-mile open races, The big teams in the two-mile tandem race will be Drury and Spence, Ohrt and Hoffman and Hammett and Sangalle.
Old Cyclists Lining Up for Big Reunion Sat, Apr 8, 1916 – 13 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
George F. Drake, one of the first captains of the Oakland Bicycle Club, has rounded up a number of former stars of that organisation, and will bring over quite a delegation of transbay riders. Some of them are too old to do much on a wheel now, but they will join the parade in automobiles and meet their old friends at the stadium.
Other famous riders of other days who will be on hand to compete in the contests at the stadium are: James R. Kenna, Ed F. Russ, O. Stevens, J. F. Cunningham and the celebrated pedestrian. Colonel F. W. Marston. George Kroetz and Joe Kingsley, at one time the champion team of the Olympic Club Wheelmen, will ride a tandem.
Sun, Apr 9, 1916 – 30 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Sun, Apr 9, 1916 – Page 38 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com
Well if you have forgotten, your memory will be refreshened if you gather at Fell and Baker streets at 1 o'clock this afternoon and go to the Park Stadium later on in the afternoon. Bicycle day, that was postponed a couple of times on account of the weather being rainy, is to be of officially celebrated and the committee in charge of affairs has been surprised by the amount of interest revived in the bike sport.
The word passed, "Get out your old bike or borrow one and get in the round-up." was taken up with glee by old-timers and youngsters alike and assurance are given that a banner gathering will be on hand. Quite an interesting picture is promised as the cyclists take up the run at a slow pace through the park to the Stadium.
It will surely bring back old memories to see Herman Eggers mounted on his high wheel, speeding along with the modern bike. Eggers is going to ride the same wheel he used away back in 1879 to win a race at the old Mechanics Pavilion. C. C. Hopkins, who gained fame with the high wheel in 1885, is another that is going in the run. Fact is, old-timers who were famous in their day and who will participate are so numerous that they would make a list two columns long.
San Francisco played a prominent part in making bicycle history and it is surprising to see and hear of so many of the old boys who are still on deck and anxious to mount a wheel again. It is claimed that San Francisco was the "first expounder of the wheel" in this country. At all events we all know it was a great sport and it will be interesting to get out today and follow the band on wheels to the Stadium.
Chairman Frank Carroll has lined up a number of old-timers to act as captain of the day. They are Judge Frank Kerrigan of the Bay City Wheelman, James Mullen of the Olympic Club Wheelmen, Jack Kitchen of the Acme Club Wheelmen, Lieutenant Charles Birdsall of the California Cycling Club, George F. Drake of the Oakland Bicycle Club, Joe Desimone of the Garden City Wheelmen, Al Gruneger of the New Century Wheelmen and Ben Woonan of the Santa Rosa Wheelmen.
The acting captains have sounded the word for old and new members to respond and it has been no uncommon sight to the pioneers out for practice spins. It has been years since some of them were on wheels, but they still retain the old knack of getting over the ground.
The celebration of the bicycle calls to mind the fact that when the sport was at the height of its popularity nothing was so calculated to excite the ire of a devotee as to intimate that it was something in the nature of a fad, and would soon run its course. Of course those who predicted that the fashionable votaries or the wheel would get tired of it had no idea that all the bicycles would go to the scrap heap. They merely assumed that bicycle riding was a sport which had features that would cause its popularity to wear out, and that future riding of the wheel would be confined to those who had a utilitarian purpose in view. The prophecy has nearly been realised, and is now being recalled by those who are beginning to wonder whether the automobile is to share a like experience. It is not likely that it will. A large proportion of the automobiles in use in this country are for pleasure purposes, but as their enjoyment does not involve the pains inseparable from vigorous exercise they are not likely to grow into disfavor on that account. Some may get tired of them because they arc an expensive luxury when gasoline is high, but any losses from that cause will be more than offset by the growing employment of motor-impelled machines for utilitarian purposes. The auto has come to stay.
MOTOR CYCLE ILLUSTRATED April 13 1916
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There was talk of repeating Bicycle Day in 1917, but the U. S. entered World War I on 4/6/1917, and I imagine that took everyone's mind off Bicycle Day. There were sporadic attempts in the 1920s and 1930s to rekindle it - I'm just looking at Bay Area newspapers. Only in the 1940s does it resume with some regularity, but at that time it's meant for children. The bicycle had become a child's toy by then, and everyone old enough to drive a car, did. Of course, with all those drivers kids were now more than ever at risk on the road, thus the importance of Bicycle Day. Note that "Safety Councils" were the sponsor organization. We're still deep in the era of car culture, in 2019, but I think we are finally waking up to the utility and pleasure of using a bicycle for sport and transportation.
We should bring back Bicycle Day.
The bike riders are to have their day at Golden Gate Park Stadium on Sunday, March 11. Tue, Feb 13, 1923 – Page 2 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com
The bike riders are to have their day at Golden Gate Park stadium on Sunday, March 11.
Although to many or us bike riding would appear an extinct sport, there are many to insist stanchly that such is not the case. It is likely the case that the bike enthusiasts confine themselves to the Stadium in San Francisco or the out of the city highways, for riding a bicycle in the congested districts is more or less a risky proposition. But there are still enough of these enthusiasts to map out on eight-event program and probably enough of us who used to ride a wheel to want to see what they are doing
As I look back at the old speed events when Floyd McFarland, Orlando Stevens, Otto Ziegler, Eddie Bald, Locomotive Smith and a host of others used to compete, I can recall nothing more exciting.
I never did ride the old-fashioned high-wheel machine - funny-looking things they were - but learned at the expense of cousin on his safety in the days when they had hard rubber tires, rather than the more comfortable pneumatics.
Then came the modern up-to-date wheel with pneumatic tires. My first wheel had a trap-door arrangement, by which the inner tube, when one was so unfortunate as to have a puncture, could be removed. Yes, and try to get it back without an hour's toil!
So, if for nothing more than to do honor to an exercise that was so much in vogue, let's get back of Bicycle day.
BOTH bicycle people and the horsemen sometimes wonder why their sports have gone back; why the public doesn't show the same interest. Personally, it looks to me a question of speed. With the coming of the automobile we have accustomed ourselves to more speed on the road, so when we watch a bike race, or even the trotters in action, we probably unconsciously compare speeds, to the detriment of the older methods of getting around.
..
Bicycles to Have Day Sunday Wed, Feb 14, 1923 – Page 2 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com
S. F. Riders Plan "Bicycle Day" Sun, Mar 2, 1924 – Page 65 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
National Bike Day To Be Celebrated Wed, Apr 27, 1927 – Page 13 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
"Bicycle Day" at Berkeley Wednesday Mon, Aug 3, 1931 – Page 8 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Berkeley Presses Bicycle Licensing
A Bicycle Field Day Mon, Aug 5, 1940 – Page 5 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Safety Council to Sponsor Bicycle Day Mon, Apr 28, 1941 – Page 7 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Thu, Aug 31, 1944 – Page 19 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
If you've been following some of my other blog posts, this one will tie a lot of the names together. This kind of history research is like a big puzzle, for me. This post helps me fill in a lot of the missing pieces. I'll probably revise this, linking more names as time goes by.
There are almost no women mentioned or pictured in the articles below. Bicycle Day was obviously not for women in 1916, in San Francisco. I wonder if we'd gone backwards, as a society, regarding equal opportunity and the conception of what women could do, in 1916. Certainly women rode bikes in the 1890s, and bicycle culture and the bloomerites were a big contributor to feminism.
Oakland celebrated Bicycle Day on Tuesday, February 29th. It was a leap year.
The posts below are in chronological order.
Jan 17, 1897 San Francisco
ORGANIZING THE CARNIVAL.
Meeting to Be Held Friday Evening at the California Hotel. Sun, Jan 17, 1897 – Page 18 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com...
Early in the coming week, under the direction of F. H. Kerrigan, the wheelmen's representatives of the Cycling Club and Cycle Board of Trade will be called together to arrange the programme for "Bicycle Day," and to see what Eastern riders of not can be obtained to compete in the races of that day.
...
Jan 24, 1897 San Francisco
Sun, Jan 24, 1897 – Page 11 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.comFeb 7, 1916 San Francisco, 19 years later
J. C. Conwell, president of the Cycle Board of Trade, has issued a call for a special meeting of the members of that organization to co-operate with the members of the cycle clubs, the meeting to be held at the California Hotel next Thursday evening. January 28, to further consider proposed features for "bicycle day."Cyclers to Hold Big Annyal Event Thu, Feb 17, 1916 – Page 7 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.comCyclers to Hold Big Annual Event
A banner card of cycling events is to be staged at Golden Gate park stadium on the afternoon of Sunday February 19th. The occasion is "Bicycle day", an event that is celebrated by the bay county wheelmen annually, and which always attracts the best of the local talent, as well as that of many outside points. The feature of the coming meeting is to be a special match race between Hans Ohrt and one of the local luminaries, to be chosen shortly. Representation is expected to be on hand from the New Century, Olympic, Garden City and Acme clubs. Frank Carroll has charge of all arrangements.Feb 19, 1916 San Francisco
Sat, Feb 19, 1916 – Page 11 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.comSan Francisco May Stage Six-Day Bike Race
Stevens Is Dickering for Event March 24th
San Francisco may be inflicted with a six-day bike race. Orlando Stevens, who has been interested in the cycling game for years, received a wire from Alfred Goullett, president of the newly organised Cycle Racing Mens Union stating terms for bringing out the crack riders of the East. Stevens is figuring on staging the event at the Exposition Auditorium on March 24th with a sprint race to present the opening of the six-day contest. The terms are said to be rather stiff and Stevens is considering the proposition.A movement is under way to have a "bicycle day" celebrated at the Park Stadium on February 27th. A programme of events is being mapped out, and an effort will be made to secure the three quarter mile horse track.
Ernest Orht, brother of Hans, Percy Lawrence and Lloyd Thomas are the San Francisco boys who started last night In the six day race at Kansas City. Willie Hanley has returned to New York, where he will undergo an operation to have his tonsils removed.
Feb 20, 1916 San Francisco
BICYCLE DAY AT THE STADIUM NEXT SUNDAY Sun, Feb 20, 1916 – Page 53 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.comBICYCLE DAY AT THE STADIUM NEXT SUNDAY
Old-Timers Will Get Together to Bring About a Revival of This Outdoor Sport
Old-timers in the sport, present-day racing champions and comers are going to show the world on Sunday, February 27th, that the bicycle game is not dead, but that it has been sleeping.All over the country February 29th is known as Bicycle day. [1916 was a leap year. - MF] Inasmuch as that date falls on Tuesday, it has been decided by the San Franciscans who are interested to celebrate on the Sunday preceding.
Frank Carroll of the Goodyear Tire Company has taken the initiative and has been appointed the head of a committee that will see to it nothing is lacking when the programme is carried out. Bicycle and motor-cycle dealers have been brought together, as well as representatives of the wheeling clubs, to boost the thing along.
There will be bicycle races for the kids, schoolboys, old-timers and the racing enthusiasts of today, all' with suitable prizes.
James Mullen, formerly captain of the Olympic Club Wheelmen, and Judge Frank Kerrigan, once with the Bay City Wheelmen, are among those who will lend their efforts. The veterans are to meet at McKinley monument, in Golden Gate Park, and will ride to the stadium.
It is planned to hold a special race for old-timers, including Walter Foster, Orlando Stevens, Charles S. Howard, George Fuller, George Kroetz, J. H. Nash, J. W. Leavitt, Ed. Mohrig and Tom Spillane.
A special meeting will be held Monday night and a general committee meeting Tuesday night, at the offices of Frank Carroll of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Van Ness avenue and Sutter street.
Feb 25, 1916 San Francisco
TO CELEBRATE 'BICYCLE DAY,' A NEW EVENT IN SPORT Fri, Feb 25, 1916 – 13 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.comTO CELEBRATE 'BICYCLE DAY,' A NEW EVENT IN SPORT
Ed Russ (left), Hans Ohrt (right) practicing on the Olympic Club's home trainer for the meet on Sunday.
Old-Time Riders in This Meet
Veteran Cyclists to Race Sunday
MEN who made bicycle racing history years ago and lads who are making it now willturn out full force in the Golden Gate park stadium on Saturday to celebrate "Bicycle Day" with a great round-up and meet.
Those who are to take part will assemble at the McKinley monument, Baker and Fell streets, at 1 o'clock. Headed by a band of fourteen pieces, the riders will proceed through the park to the stadium, where the racing is scheduled to start shortly after 2 o'clock. A one-mile race among Postal, Federal and Western Union messenger boys in uniform will inaugurate the racing programme.
Many of the most notable of the old-time bicycle riders will be seen again in the colors of the clubs which they represented years ago, and only a few of which are still in existence. Judge Frank Kerrigan has been designated as captain of the Bay City Wheelmen, and Lieutenant Charles Birdsall of the police department will be seen in the colors of the California Cyclers' Club. Joseph S. Lewis will represent the San Francisco Road Club, and other organizations will include the Imperial Cyclers, led by Joe Catanich; the Olympic Club, James Mullen; Acme Wheelmen, Jack Kitchen; Garden City Wheelmen, Joe Desimone; New Century Wheelmen, Al Grunegar.
Ed Russ of the Olympic Club, one of the fastest of the cracks of twenty years ago, will be among the starters in the race for old-timers. So many entries have been received for this event for veterans who feel they have still one more good sprint in them, that the committee will likely have to arrange half a dozen heats before a winner is decided.
Hans Ohrt, national amateur champion, who carried the colors of the Olympic Club to victory at the Newark Velodrome last season, will be seen in a special match race against Eddie Carrol, his speedy teammate, who is expected to invade the East this year. [Proper spelling is "Eddie Carroll". - MF]
One mile race between the Postal, Federal and Western Union messenger boys: must have uniforms.
Boys from 8 to 12 years of age - one lap.
Boys from 12 to 16 years of age - one lap.
Heats of the two-mile - open.
Olympic Club juveniles.
First heat of the match - Carroll vs. Ohrt.
Old-timers' race, ranging from 30 to 40 years - one lap.
Second heat of the match - Carroll vs. Ohrt.
Real old-timers' race, ranging in age from 40 to 100 years.
Final two-mile - open.
Race for policemen on bicycle, 1/2-mile.
Three-lap relay race between Continental, Federal and Pennsylvania - each of the three men riding one lap.
Handicap, three-mile handicap. amateur, open.
Entries close for this event Friday night at Geo. Drury's, 457 Walnut street, at 8 o'clock.
One-mile race for Smith motor wheels.
Two-mile tandem race.
Feb 25, 1916 Oakland
CITY WILL OBSERVE BICYCLE DAY Fri, Feb 25, 1916 – Page 16 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.comCITY WILL OBSERVE BICYCLE DAY
National "Bicycle Day" will be celebrated here [Oakland - MF] next Tuesday, Feb 29. E. C. Newbauer, manager of the local Goodrich agency, is to be chairman of the committee which will promote the events. Cycling races will be held along Grand avenue, permission having already been obtained to use the magnificent thoroughfare. The race will be strictly for amateurs. Handsome fobs and cash prizes will be given to those finishing first, second and third.Feb 26, 1916 San Francisco
CELEBRATE BIKE DAY AT THE STADIUM ON SUNDAY Sat, Feb 26, 1916 – Page 11 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.comCELEBRATE BIKE DAY AT THE STADIUM ON SUNDAY
Old Timers and New Stars Are to Participate in Run Through Park and Track Competition
Men who have made bicycle racing famous, others who are modern day riders, and still others who had some sort of connection with the sport that was so much of a feature a few years ago, are banded together to make the national Bicycle day a success. In San Francisco the occasion is to be celebrated tomorrow afternoon at the stadium at Golden Gate Park.Everybody who has a bike, or can beg, borrow or steal one, is cordially invited to participate, and those thousands who can hearken back to the time when the speed marvels thrilled them, as they speeded around the saucer tracks are expected to act the role of spectators.
Riders will assemble for the round-up at the McKinley monument, Baker and Fell streets. The run will start promptly at 1:30 o'clock, and the bike stars of various generations will be preceded by a band of fourteen pieces. A slow and easy pace will be set by the acting captains in the jaunt through the park, as the races are not scheduled to commence before 2:15.
Moving pictures are to be taken en route, as well as of the various contests set for competition at the stadium, Match races, open races and burlesque stunts will feature the programme, and valuable prizes are to be awarded.
The list of events follows:
One-mile race between the Postal Federal and Western Union messenger boys (must have uniforms).
Boys from 8 to 12 years of age-one lap.
Boys from 12 to 16 years of age-one lap.
Heats of the two-mile-open.
Olympic Club Juveniles.
First heat of the match-Carroll vs. Obrt.
Old-timers' race, ranging from 30 to 40 years-one lap.
Second best of the match Carroll vs. Ohrt.
Real old-timers race, ranging in age from 40 to 100 years.
Final two-mile-open,
Race for policemen on bicycle,
Three-lap relay race between Continental. Federal and Pennsylvania-cach of the three men riding one lap.
Three mile handicap - amateur open
One-mile race for Smith motor wheels.
Two-mile tandem race.
The following well-known men will appear in the roles of acting captains of their respective clubs:
Judge Frank Kerrigan - Bay City Wheelmen.
James Mullen - Olymple Club Wheelmen.
Jack Kitchen - Acme Club Wheelmen.
Joe Desimone - Garden City Wheelmen.
Al Gruneger - New Century Wheelmen.
Joe Catanich - Imperial Cyclers.
Joe Lewis - San Francisco Road Club.
Lieutenant Charles Birdsall - California Cyclers Club.
And here are some of the old timers who have promised to compete:
| Walter Foster Jack Kroetz Orlando Stevens Tony Delmas C. C. Hopkins J. R. Reilly Jack Kitchen Frank Marisch Pete Lefevere [Lefevre] Phil Rosenheim Jack Howard Harry ["Trilby"] Fowler Tom White Willie Steinhart Joe Lewis Watson Armacost N. A. Robinson George Fuller J. W. Leavitt John Cunningham Joe Desimone A. E. Morrison George Olson Al Col Ed Barnes Ed Morig [Mohrig] H. L. Day William N. Phelps | Andie Bradbury Jack Suits Nat Messer Roy A. Lee Col. James Powers Thos. H. Dowane Wilbur Edwards Al Hubbard J. J. Doyle Ed Martin Charles Long J. N. Nash Frank E. Carroll Gus Baraty Theo. Schuleter [Schleuter] F. Willis Sharp Chas. Hannan A. T. Smith Phil Prather Dr. D. A. Mulvihill Ed F. Merry James Kenna Robert A. Coulter Lieut. Chas. Birdsall Bob Terrill Stanley Scovern Jack Egan George P. Moore [Wetmore] |
This next one might have you scratching your head. See if you can get into the spirit. Why was it in the newspaper, in Scots dialect? I don't know. This guy also wrote the day's recap of the Bicycle Day event, further down.
HOO'S A' WI' YE THE DAY
By Douglas Erskine
I'M hopin' it'll no rain the morn an' spile the day fur a lot o' auld men wha think they can be young again. They're a lot o' lads, maist o' them wi' whuskers, they think they can ride a bicycle as weel noo as they did twenty year syne.When I hear't thet they wur tae gang oot in a procession tae the Park Stadium I thocht they wur daft, but yestre'en yin o them talkit me intae takin' a ride wi' them an' noo I'm fear't I'm as big a loon as any o them.
Ye see, Frank Carroll, wha's aye startin' somethin', got the idea in his heid thet it wud be fine tae get a the auld yins oot tae the park an' mak them whurl the pedals. He wisna sure whether the lads' wud fa' fur his plan, but when he askit them they jist fell a' ower him in thur desire tae get on a wheel again. Some o' them went intae the basemants an' dug up auld-fashion't high wheels an they're quite wullin' tae mak spectacles o' themsels, ridin' thae oot-o'-date velocipedes through the city's big playgrun.
KNAPP'S NO A BAIRN NOO.
I wisna gaun' tae tak a chance masel until I hear tell o' Wilbur Knapp bein' signed up. It wis awa' back in 1887, when I wis but a laddie, thet I first saw Wilbur on a wheel. It wis in Glescae on the nicht o' the celebration o' Queen Victoria's jubilee. I had spent the hale day watchin' parades an' seein' sogers gang through thur exercises, withoot spendin' a penny, an' late in the efternune I thocht I cud afford tae be a sport an' I spent a hale saxpense gettin' intae Hampden Park, whaur the best o' the Scotch riders wis tae try tae win frae the American team. Knapp wis yin o' the Americans an' he hud a wee laddie ca'ed Ralph Temple wi' him thet wis a tricky yin. He cud mak a bicycle staun' on its heid.Weel, this lad Knapp won a race an' his pertner, Woodside, won anither race, an' Temple did mair tricks than ye cud shake a stick at, an' we a' went hame satisfied, altho' we wud raither hae seen the Scotties win.
An' here's Wilbur oot here noo, an' lookin like he cud gang oot an' win races even yet. But I ken Wilbur wis a mon when I wis but a laddie an' if he's no ower auld tae gang oot, whit wey should I no gang?
[I found evidence of races in which Knapp, Woodside and Temple all competed, but none in Glasgow ("Glascae") in about June 1887. - MF]
WALTER FOSTER'S FRAE ALAMEDA.
Then there is Walter Foster. When they hud a bicycle track in Alameda on the place phaur ma hoose is built noo, wisna Walter the laddie thet won a' the races on the openin' day?It wis a prood day fur Alameda when Walter cam in aheid o' a' thae graun' racers frae San Francisco an' San Jose. Wilbur Edwards wis there tae, an' he's gaun' oot the morn. I'm tell't thet Jock Leavitt says he'll be there, but I hae ma doots. Jock's gettin' sae stoot thet he his trouble playin' golf.
It's a shame tae see a lot o' young yins like Nat Messer, an' Jock Suits an Phil Prather and Jock Kitchen hornin intae an auld mon's perty, but ye canna keep thae young fellows doon, an I suppose we'll hae tae staun' fur it.
I see whaur the auld-timers wull race twa miles. I hope the Society fur the Suppression o' Cruelty tae Children wull no come oot an' stop the proceeding.
Mar 1, 1916 Oakland
BICYCLE DAY CELEBRATED BY A MILE SPRINT Wed, Mar 1, 1916 – Page 12 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com[The San Francisco Bicycle Day was postponed several times, due to weather. Oakland went ahead with theirs on February 29th. It was a leap year. Sanford Behr won this race, and also the 14-18 boys race at San Francisco's Bicycle Day. I would totally recruit him for Oakland Composite, if I wasn't 103 years too late. - MF]
BICYCLE DAY CELEBRATED BY A MILE SPRINT
Sanford Behr Wins First Place From Twenty-five Competitors.
National bicycle day was celebrated here in Oakland yesterday [February 29th] by a spectacular mile sprint along Grand avenue late in the afternoon. Twenty-five young cyclists competed in the race, and there was a big crowd out to cheer the winner who turned up in Sanford Behr, 1908 Castro street, Oakland. Behr covered the distance from Harrison street to Perry in three minutes and nine seconds, and was followed a second later by Douglas Whitehead. 842 Twenty-first street.Louis Keller, 776 Sixteenth street, took third place, three seconds behind the winner. All three received substantial prizes, while all who competed were presented with souvenir fobs by the Goodyear company.
The event was promoted by E. C. Newbauer, local manager for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber company. Before the race, a crowd of over fifty cyclists mounted upon every variety of ancient and modern bicycles gathered at the Goodyear agency for a re-union and celebration of the day. Officials at the race were E. C. Newbauer, O. B. Clark, and P. R. Latourette.
Perry Street is now MacArthur Blvd, it was renamed, along with others in 1942 in honor of General Douglas MacArthur. This is the route of the race:
Mar 2, 1916 San Francisco
OLD-TIMERS READY FOR 'BICYCLE DAY' Thu, Mar 2, 1916 – 11 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.comOLD-TIMERS READY FOR 'BICYCLE DAY'
Two "bike vets" dug two "vet bikes" out of the garret yesterday to have their pictures taken. Wilbur Knapp on the high wheel and C. C. Hopkins on the safety.
Wilbur F. Knapp is a different Knapp than the Steve H. Knapp, Jr. featured in many of my other blog posts. The "Meeker & Knapp" one is Steve, or "S. H." Wilbur was originally from Denver, and competed around the world successfully. - MF]
Old Time Bikes Will Be in Evidence at Stadium Next Sunday.
ENTHUSIASM for bicycling that has been dead for more than twenty years will be in a measure revived at the Golden Gate Park stadium next Sunday, when Bicycle Day, postponed from last Sunday on account of rain, will be celebrated with an elaborate programme.The forced postponement has not dampened the ardor of Frank Carroll, who is in charge the arrangements for the event. Carroll is confident that the extra week's time will give any of the old timers who might have been chary about mounting a wheel again the opportunity to get into shape for the events, and that the entry list will be larger than ever.
Wilbur Knapp and C. C. Hopkins, Two Veterans, Are Expected to Star in Meet.
Wilbur Knapp, who broke into the bicycle game in 1883, and C. C Hopkins, who rode his first race in 1885, will be among the old timers who participate next Sunday. Knapp was the holder of thirty-seven world's records and seventy-five English records, covering all distances and conditions. Knapp. with George Dixon, will be announcer for next Sunday's events. The policeman's race, in which Lieutenant Charles Birdsall will be one of the prominent entrants, is attracting great interest among the enthusiasts, and promises to be one of the most exciting of the day.Mar 5, 1916 Oakland
Bicycle Day (and tall bike) Sun, Mar 5, 1916 – Page 18 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Apr 5, 1916 San Francisco
Cyclists Preparing for Their Day Sunday Wed, Apr 5, 1916 – 14 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.comCyclists Preparing for Their Day Sunday
With every indication that the event will be crowned with even greater success than was expected when rain caused its postponement last month, the preparations for Bicycle Day at Golden Gate Park next Sunday are rapidly being completed by the committees in charge.Provision has been made for an acceptable substitute for the match race between Hans Ohrt and Eddie Carroll. Carroll has left for the East and will be unable to participate, but instead there will be a one-mile invitational event in which some of the best cyclers in this vicinity will participate. Ohrt and Harry Hoffman will wear Olympic Club colors, Hammitt and De Brie will ride for the New Century Club, Girard and Simondi for Oakland and Simondi and Eisentrout [not Eisentraut] for San Jose.
There will also be a tandem race in which Ohrt and Hoffman will meet Sangalli and Hammitt. The riders will start from the park panhandle at 1:30 o'clock and make their way to the park stadium. The first race of the day will start at 2:30 o clock.
Apr 7, 1916 San Francisco
OLD TIME CYCLISTS IN LINE Fri, Apr 7, 1916 – 14 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.comOLD TIME CYCLISTS IN LINE
Herman Eggers Will Be in Sunday's Parade With the Contraption He Rode in 1879.
At the celebration of Bicycle Day at Golden Gate Park on Sunday next the races scheduled for policemen and messenger boys will be features.A number of members of the police department, were riders of note in their time and Lieutenant Charles Birdsall and Lieutenant Robert Coulter were known to fame as wheelman in the days of the California Cycling Club. A gold medal has been offered for the policeman's race and these two old-time cracks will be opposed by a number of other bicyclists of the force. Including Tom White of the Traffic Squad and James Watson, who made a name for himself as a bicycle racer in Los Angeles.
The higher-ups in the messenger service have been taking a lively interest in the race for messenger boys and the pick of the lads who work for the various telegraph companies and the messenger services will be on hand for the race. The boys are all in condition, their duties requiring them to ride many miles per day and the wheels have been getting a lot of care during the past few weeks.
Frank E. Carroll, chairman of the bicycle day committer, has issued a general invitation to any one who can ride a bicycle to be on hand for the big parade, which is to start from the McKinley monument at 1 o'clock. The parade will be led by the officials of the day, among whom will be Herman Eggers, the man who won the six-day race in the Mechanics Pavilion in 1879. Eggers will ride the identical wheel on which he won that famous event.
Robert Russ, another pioneer who has preserved his steel steed of the older days, will be in the front of the procession. All the old boys have been practising so that their wheels will not run away from them when they get on a grade. When the bicyclists reach the Stadium track there will be races for every class of cycler from the youngest to the oldest. Judge Frank H. Kerrigan has called out all the old Bay City Wheelmen and James W. Mullen has notified all the members of the old Olympic Wheelmen to be on hand.
Apr 8, 1916 San Francisco
BIKE RIDERS TO PAY HOMAGE TO THE SPORT TODAY Sat, Apr 8, 1916 – Page 11 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.comBIKE RIDERS TO PAY HOMAGE TO THE SPORT TODAY
Interest in Sunday's big card of cycling events at Golden Gate park in honor of "National Bicycle Day" has increased locally, in spite of the postponements. The day will be celebrated tomorrow with nineteen events, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Harry "Trilby" Fowler, a veteran rider, will do some fancy and trick riding.The "Bicycle Day" run a-wheel will start at the entrance of the Panhandle at 1:30 and will be led by a band on wheels and followed by the ex-captains of the former bicycle clubs. A slow pace will be set by the captains leading the run and all are welcome. Many of the old high-wheelers will be in line. At the Stadium trotting track, reached via the main drive, the program of races will he staged with races for messenger boys, policemen, firemen, schoolboys, Olympic juveniles, old timers, novices and four races for the fastest coast riders, featuring the one-mile invitation race, with best two riders from each club. Entered in the lineup are Hans Ohrt, Harry Hoffman. Olympic Club; Walter Hammett, Leslie Drurv, New Century: George Lemonde. Nick Eisentrout, [not Eisentraut] Garden City Wheelmen: Art Wiseman, Ray Girard, Acme Wheelmen.
All the riders will meet in the three-mile handicap and two-mile open races, The big teams in the two-mile tandem race will be Drury and Spence, Ohrt and Hoffman and Hammett and Sangalle.
Apr 8, 1916 San Francisco
Old Cyclists Lining Up for Big Reunion Sat, Apr 8, 1916 – 13 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.comOld Cyclists Lining Up for Big Reunion
Numerous old-time bicycle riders added their names yesterday to the long list that is growing at the office of the bicycle day committee. The committeemen were astonished to find that many riders who had not been heard from in years are still in the city and ready to mount the wheel to-morrow once more for old time's sake.George F. Drake, one of the first captains of the Oakland Bicycle Club, has rounded up a number of former stars of that organisation, and will bring over quite a delegation of transbay riders. Some of them are too old to do much on a wheel now, but they will join the parade in automobiles and meet their old friends at the stadium.
Other famous riders of other days who will be on hand to compete in the contests at the stadium are: James R. Kenna, Ed F. Russ, O. Stevens, J. F. Cunningham and the celebrated pedestrian. Colonel F. W. Marston. George Kroetz and Joe Kingsley, at one time the champion team of the Olympic Club Wheelmen, will ride a tandem.
Apr 9, 1916 San Francisco
Sun, Apr 9, 1916 – 30 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Sun, Apr 9, 1916 – Page 38 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.comIT'S BICYCLE DAY AT PARK STADIUM
All San Francisco to Join in Round-Up
 |
| Here's a couple of the old high wheel boys. On the left Herman E. Eggers is pictured with the wheel which he rode in 1879 and will have in the run today. Then there is C. C. Hopkins, who will be on hand, and the insert is of Hans Ohrt, with one of the modern bikes. |
Pioneers With High Wheels to Turn Out and Join With Youngsters in Run and Take Part in Series of Races at the Stadium
REMEMBER the days not so long ago when parties of boys and men crowded the streets on their wheels and held runs to points out-ot-town? Remember the exciting races that were held in old Central Park, Mechanics' Pavilion and other arenas? Remember what fun was always on the tapis?Well if you have forgotten, your memory will be refreshened if you gather at Fell and Baker streets at 1 o'clock this afternoon and go to the Park Stadium later on in the afternoon. Bicycle day, that was postponed a couple of times on account of the weather being rainy, is to be of officially celebrated and the committee in charge of affairs has been surprised by the amount of interest revived in the bike sport.
The word passed, "Get out your old bike or borrow one and get in the round-up." was taken up with glee by old-timers and youngsters alike and assurance are given that a banner gathering will be on hand. Quite an interesting picture is promised as the cyclists take up the run at a slow pace through the park to the Stadium.
It will surely bring back old memories to see Herman Eggers mounted on his high wheel, speeding along with the modern bike. Eggers is going to ride the same wheel he used away back in 1879 to win a race at the old Mechanics Pavilion. C. C. Hopkins, who gained fame with the high wheel in 1885, is another that is going in the run. Fact is, old-timers who were famous in their day and who will participate are so numerous that they would make a list two columns long.
San Francisco played a prominent part in making bicycle history and it is surprising to see and hear of so many of the old boys who are still on deck and anxious to mount a wheel again. It is claimed that San Francisco was the "first expounder of the wheel" in this country. At all events we all know it was a great sport and it will be interesting to get out today and follow the band on wheels to the Stadium.
Programme of Events Races and Exhibitions
|
| The programme of events that are scheduled to start at the Park Stadium at 2:15 P. M. have been announced as follows: |
| 1. Novice race - Open to boys over 16 years; one lap. 2. One-mile race between messenger boys; must have uniforms; one lap. 3. Boys from 8 to 12 years of age; one lap. 4. Boys from 12 to 16 years of age; one lap. 5. First heat of the two lap; open. 6. Second heat of the two lap; open. 7. Quarter of a mile race on the old high wheel. 8. Olympic Club Juveniles; one lap. 9. Match race; one lap - Best two riders selected, representing Olympic Club, New Century Wheelmen, Acme Wheelmen, Garden City Wheelmen and Bay City Wheelmen. 10. old-timers' race, ranging from 30 to 40 years of age; one lap. 11. Exhibition fancy trick riding - Harry "Trilby" Fowler. 12. Real old-timers' race, ranging from 40 to 100 years of age; one lap. 13. Final of the two-lap open. 14. Three-lap relay race between Goodyear, Firestone, Goodrich, Fisk, Continental, Federal, Pennsylvania, United States; each of three men riding on lap. 15. Race for the policemen; one lap - For championship of the Police Department. 16. Race for the firemen; one lap - For championship of the Fire Department. 17. Three-lap handicap race; amateur open. 18. Two-mile randem race. |
Chairman Frank Carroll has lined up a number of old-timers to act as captain of the day. They are Judge Frank Kerrigan of the Bay City Wheelman, James Mullen of the Olympic Club Wheelmen, Jack Kitchen of the Acme Club Wheelmen, Lieutenant Charles Birdsall of the California Cycling Club, George F. Drake of the Oakland Bicycle Club, Joe Desimone of the Garden City Wheelmen, Al Gruneger of the New Century Wheelmen and Ben Woonan of the Santa Rosa Wheelmen.
The acting captains have sounded the word for old and new members to respond and it has been no uncommon sight to the pioneers out for practice spins. It has been years since some of them were on wheels, but they still retain the old knack of getting over the ground.
A varied programme of races has been mapped out for the three-quarters-mile horse track at the Stadium. It will start off at 2:15 P.M. with, a novice race for boys under 16 years of age. Message boys will follow for a dash around the course.
Just imagine the excitement that will be in evidence when the boys on high wheels will line-up for a quarter of a mile contest. There will be relays and couple events for old-timers. The age stipulations are from 40 to 100 years old. Those over 100 who want to race can come out, but they will not be allowed to start. This is a hard and fast rule.
Harry "Trilby" Fowler with his fancy trick riding, promises to amuse as he did in the olden days. Policemen and firemen are down on the bill to test their ability to shove a wheel. There are thrillers of all kinds and it's going to be a free show. Turn out and pay your respects to the bicycle.
OLD AND NEW CYCLISTS HELP TO CELEBRATE BICYCLE DAY Mon, Apr 10, 1916 – 11 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
BICYCLE Day, celebrated in San Francisco for the first time yesterday, bids fair to become an
institution, and an important one at that. The ceremonies by which the devotees of the wheel showed how much they thought of it were conducted in Golden Gate Park and the occasion proved to be even more of a success than the most ardent "hopers" of the executive committee anticipated.
Everything went off without a hitch. Outside of a few scraped knees when a bunch of fast riders spilled on the backstretch in one of the races there were no untoward incidents, and none of the ancient order of riders who turned out in force was bothered by the ride through the park which started the day's events.
These honored bicyclists were Herman C. Eggers, who rode a wheel on which he won medals in 1878, and Herman wore the medals to prove it; Dr. Thomas L. Hill, an old Bay City Wheelmen stand-by, and Robert Russ, a pioneer of the Olympic Club Wheelmen. Behind them came others, old but on more modern wheels. Judge Frank H. Kerrigan, James W. Mullen, Wilbur Knapp, Tony Delmas, Walter Foster, Walter Fawcett, George Tantau, Emil Languetin, "Trilby" Fowler, A. D. Plughoff, Charlie Howard and others of that vintage too numerous to mention, plugged along as they did twenty years ago. Behind them came riders of all sizes, ages and mounts, ranging in age from little Frankie Carroll, son of the director general of the day, to "Pop" Hopkins, [Must be C. C. Hopkins. -MF] who wore false whiskers to hide the wrinkles in his face. Jack Leavitt, accompanied by Mrs. Leavitt and a troupe of little Leavitts, rode side by side and brought out a big burst of applause when the procession passed in front of the grandstand in the stadium. A swarm of present day clubmen formed the rear guard.
Apr 10, 1916 San Francisco
OLD AND NEW CYCLISTS HELP TO CELEBRATE BICYCLE DAY Mon, Apr 10, 1916 – 11 · The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.comOLD AND NEW CYCLISTS HELP TO CELEBRATE BICYCLE DAY
The main picture shows the parade entering the Stadium in Golden Gate Park with (left to right) Robert Russ, Dr. Thos. L. Hill and Herman C. Eggers riding the "ordinaries." The other picture is the start of the two-lap race, which was won by Champion Hans Ohrt.
Past, Present, Future Champions
Bicycle Day a Success All Around
BY DOUGLAS ERSKINE.
[Note this is the same author that wrote the Scots dialect piece above. - MF]BICYCLE Day, celebrated in San Francisco for the first time yesterday, bids fair to become an
institution, and an important one at that. The ceremonies by which the devotees of the wheel showed how much they thought of it were conducted in Golden Gate Park and the occasion proved to be even more of a success than the most ardent "hopers" of the executive committee anticipated.
Everything went off without a hitch. Outside of a few scraped knees when a bunch of fast riders spilled on the backstretch in one of the races there were no untoward incidents, and none of the ancient order of riders who turned out in force was bothered by the ride through the park which started the day's events.
VETERANS IN LEAD.
When the parade formed at the Baker street entrance of the Panhandle the place of honor was given to a trio of high wheel veterans, who rode ahead even of the usual platoon of mounted police, which on this occasion was mounted on motorcycles.These honored bicyclists were Herman C. Eggers, who rode a wheel on which he won medals in 1878, and Herman wore the medals to prove it; Dr. Thomas L. Hill, an old Bay City Wheelmen stand-by, and Robert Russ, a pioneer of the Olympic Club Wheelmen. Behind them came others, old but on more modern wheels. Judge Frank H. Kerrigan, James W. Mullen, Wilbur Knapp, Tony Delmas, Walter Foster, Walter Fawcett, George Tantau, Emil Languetin, "Trilby" Fowler, A. D. Plughoff, Charlie Howard and others of that vintage too numerous to mention, plugged along as they did twenty years ago. Behind them came riders of all sizes, ages and mounts, ranging in age from little Frankie Carroll, son of the director general of the day, to "Pop" Hopkins, [Must be C. C. Hopkins. -MF] who wore false whiskers to hide the wrinkles in his face. Jack Leavitt, accompanied by Mrs. Leavitt and a troupe of little Leavitts, rode side by side and brought out a big burst of applause when the procession passed in front of the grandstand in the stadium. A swarm of present day clubmen formed the rear guard.
Over ten thousand people jammed the stand and both sides of the horse track, which had been put in fine condition for the contests. All kinds of bicycle riders were given a chance to show their speed. From Hans Ohrt, the national amateur champion, down to little 10-year-old Willie Fenn, who won the juvenile race and could hardly stand when he dismounted, every winner was greeted with uproarious applause, but the real events of the day were the oldtimers' races.
A POPULAR VICTORY.
There was a time when a contest in which Tantau, Walter Fawcett, Emil Languetin and Percy Mott started would have been a race. But yesterday they displayed little of their old-time speed and wind in the 30 to 40 year old class. Orlando Stevens started in the 40 to 50 class and finished last, even Jack Cunningham leading him to the wire by a big margin. This class produced a popular winner in "Bob" Terrill, who rode with all his old-time grace, and won handily, with Mike Lynn and "Trilby" Fowler trailing him home.
After an absence from the track and trick business of over ten years, "Trilby" Fowler gave a remarkable exhibition of fancy riding. He made the bicycle stand on its head, lay down and jump over things, and he wound up his exhibition with his old and never-failing laugh-raiser when he picked up his hat from the ground with his foot.
The up-to-date racers put up some excellent contests. Champion Hans Ohrt of the Olympic Club won the two-lap race and also finished first in the other scratch race, a club contest for two-men teams. The Goodrich team won the tire companies' relay, with the Goodyears second, and a mixed race in which a single rider competed against a freak double-decked wheel and a sextet was won by the lone rider.
There was much back-slapping and "do you remember?" stuff among the old-timers, and that they have not been entirely forgotten was proved by the cordial greetings given the old-time champs when George Dixon introduced each one individually to the crowd.
The high wheel race, 220 yards dash, was won by Jim Bradley, with Herman C. Eggers second: Dr. Tom Hill and Robert Russ tied for third place.
The summary:
Novice Race - Open to boys over 16 years of age - one lap. E. Thompson, winner. Time, 1:44 1/2.
Novice Race - Open to boys over 16 years of age - one lap. E. Thompson, winner. Time, 1:44 1/2.
Messenger Boy Race - One lap. Warren, Western Union, first; Graner, Postal. second; Sorell, Western Union, third. Time, 1:53 3/4.
Boys' Race, 8 to 12 - One lap. Fenn, first; Donly, second; Berthart, third. Time 2:25.
Boys' Race, 12 to 16 - One lap. S. Behr, first; T. Patterson, second; L. Keller, third. Time, 1:57 3/4
Quarter of a mile on old high wheel - James Bradley, first; Herman Eggers, second; T. H. Hill, third. Time, 35 1/4 seconds.
Olympic Club Juveniles - One lap Phil Patterson, first; George Price, second; Ed Reuthers, third. Time, 2:08 1/2.
Match race - One lap, between bicycle club H. Ohrt, O. C.. first: H. Hoffman, O. C., second; A. Simondi Garden City W., third. Time, 1:58.
Old-Timers' Race - 30 to 40 years of age - One lap. C. C. Mettler, first; J. W. Watson, second; H. Wilcox, third. Time, 2:09.
Old Timers' Race, 40 to 100 years of age - One lap. Bob Terrill, first: Mike Lind, second; Harry Fowler, third. Time, 2:07 1/2.
Final heat of the two-lap open - Hans Ohrt, first: L. Cooper, second; L. Drury, third. Time, 4:24 1/2.
Three-lap relay race between different tire companies - Goodrich, first; Goodyear, second; Firestone, third, Time, 5:38 1/2.
Race for policemen - one lap. J. Watson, first; C. J. Birdsall, second, T. H. White and Coulter, tied third. Time, 2:39.
Race for firemen - One lap. J. Coglin. first; W. A. Petry, second. Time, 2:07 3/4.
Three Lap Handicap Race - Earl Thompson, New Century W., first, R. Gillette, New Century, second; R. Girard, third. Time, 5:10 1/4.
Two-lap race Smith motor wheels - L. Howard, first; Charles Howard Jr., second; W. E. Wood, third. Time, 3:44 1/2.
Two Mile Tandem Race - Ohrt and Hoffman, Olympic Club, first; Spence and Drury, New Century, Secord: Walsh and Thompson, New Century, third. Time, 3:39.
Apr 11, 1916 San Francisco
The celebration of the bicycle calls to mind the fact that when the sport was at the height of its popularity nothing was so calculated to excite the ire of a devotee as to intimate that it was something in the nature of a fad, and would soon run its course. Of course those who predicted that the fashionable votaries or the wheel would get tired of it had no idea that all the bicycles would go to the scrap heap. They merely assumed that bicycle riding was a sport which had features that would cause its popularity to wear out, and that future riding of the wheel would be confined to those who had a utilitarian purpose in view. The prophecy has nearly been realised, and is now being recalled by those who are beginning to wonder whether the automobile is to share a like experience. It is not likely that it will. A large proportion of the automobiles in use in this country are for pleasure purposes, but as their enjoyment does not involve the pains inseparable from vigorous exercise they are not likely to grow into disfavor on that account. Some may get tired of them because they arc an expensive luxury when gasoline is high, but any losses from that cause will be more than offset by the growing employment of motor-impelled machines for utilitarian purposes. The auto has come to stay.
Apr 13, 1916 San Francisco
MOTOR CYCLE ILLUSTRATED April 13 1916
'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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| From Ebay: "*Postcard-"Bicycle Day" -1916- (Bay To Breakers) *S.F.'s Haight-Ashbury (A21-3)" |
There was talk of repeating Bicycle Day in 1917, but the U. S. entered World War I on 4/6/1917, and I imagine that took everyone's mind off Bicycle Day. There were sporadic attempts in the 1920s and 1930s to rekindle it - I'm just looking at Bay Area newspapers. Only in the 1940s does it resume with some regularity, but at that time it's meant for children. The bicycle had become a child's toy by then, and everyone old enough to drive a car, did. Of course, with all those drivers kids were now more than ever at risk on the road, thus the importance of Bicycle Day. Note that "Safety Councils" were the sponsor organization. We're still deep in the era of car culture, in 2019, but I think we are finally waking up to the utility and pleasure of using a bicycle for sport and transportation.
We should bring back Bicycle Day.
Feb 13, 1923 San Francisco, seven years later
The bike riders are to have their day at Golden Gate Park Stadium on Sunday, March 11. Tue, Feb 13, 1923 – Page 2 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com
The bike riders are to have their day at Golden Gate Park stadium on Sunday, March 11.
Although to many or us bike riding would appear an extinct sport, there are many to insist stanchly that such is not the case. It is likely the case that the bike enthusiasts confine themselves to the Stadium in San Francisco or the out of the city highways, for riding a bicycle in the congested districts is more or less a risky proposition. But there are still enough of these enthusiasts to map out on eight-event program and probably enough of us who used to ride a wheel to want to see what they are doing
As I look back at the old speed events when Floyd McFarland, Orlando Stevens, Otto Ziegler, Eddie Bald, Locomotive Smith and a host of others used to compete, I can recall nothing more exciting.
I never did ride the old-fashioned high-wheel machine - funny-looking things they were - but learned at the expense of cousin on his safety in the days when they had hard rubber tires, rather than the more comfortable pneumatics.
Then came the modern up-to-date wheel with pneumatic tires. My first wheel had a trap-door arrangement, by which the inner tube, when one was so unfortunate as to have a puncture, could be removed. Yes, and try to get it back without an hour's toil!
So, if for nothing more than to do honor to an exercise that was so much in vogue, let's get back of Bicycle day.
* * *
..
Feb 14, 1923 San Francisco
Bicycles to Have Day Sunday Wed, Feb 14, 1923 – Page 2 · San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com
Mar 2, 1924 San Francisco
S. F. Riders Plan "Bicycle Day" Sun, Mar 2, 1924 – Page 65 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Apr 27, 1927 San Francisco
National Bike Day To Be Celebrated Wed, Apr 27, 1927 – Page 13 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Aug 3, 1931 Berkeley
"Bicycle Day" at Berkeley Wednesday Mon, Aug 3, 1931 – Page 8 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Aug 5, 1940 Berkeley
Berkeley Presses Bicycle Licensing
A Bicycle Field Day Mon, Aug 5, 1940 – Page 5 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Apr 28, 1941 Richmond
Safety Council to Sponsor Bicycle Day Mon, Apr 28, 1941 – Page 7 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Aug 31, 1944 Oakland
Thu, Aug 31, 1944 – Page 19 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Alameda, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
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