Bicycling in California in 1892 - The Overland Monthly, June 1892

F. D. ELWELL, ONE MILE 2:48 1/2

One important branch of track athletics deserves separate treatment, because of its distinct history. Bicycle riding grew up side by side with general athletics, and has now a co-ordinate existence, with separate local and national organization. The California division of the League of American Wheelmen has its own racing board, which governs as the local branch of the A. A. U. does in general athletic matters. [Interestingly, both of these organizations still exist today, click the links. - MF] The popularity of this sport rests on a deeper foundation than the love of exercise. Running, jumping, and shot-putting, occupy the attention of few compared with the number of active wheelmen. As a general rule, men that indulge in running, jumping and kindred exercises do not keep it up for any length of time, unless they find themselves specially proficient. It is only a man of determined will, and much forethought to lay up stores of health against old age, that continues these exercises without any chance of winning honors. The wheelman, however, enjoys his sport for its own sake. Only a small number can hope to become racing men; but still the others do not desert the sport after a few trials, as is too often the case with runners. In human nature there is pleasure in freedom of any kind. Any means of rendering distance less formidable, without too great expense, exertion, or discomfort, is recognized as a means of pleasure. Every man his own horse, with the addition that there is the sense of power in the conscious accomplishment by individual exertion. With the improvements in wheels, still greater numbers take up the sport.

W. G. DAVIS, HALF MILE 1:27 3/4

Long before cycling was generally recognized as a popular sport, clubs were formed for its promotion. The West - or new civilizations generally - either adopts a new idea among the very first or among the very last. It happens that in cycling California was among the first to recognize the coming sport. In February, 1878, the first bicycle club in America was organized, under the name of the Boston Bicycle Club; on December 13th of that year the San Francisco Bicycle Club was organized by a group of nine enthusiasts, the founders of the oldest bicycle club in America, since the extinction of the old Boston club. The first officers elected were: Ralph de Clairmont, President; G. L. Cunningham, Captain; George H. Strong, Subcaptain; and Charles L. Barrett, Secretary and Treasurer. The other members were: Ex Governor George C. Perkins, Howard B. Land, John B. Golly, William M. Fuller, and Fred G. Blinn.

The San Francisco Club members were not particularly hard road-riders or racing men, but led a jolly existence of good fellowship. A few of the more athletically inclined grew discontented at the conservative government of the club, and in September, 1884, drew out, and formed the Bay City Wheelmen, with the purpose of promoting race meets, and maintaining a high reputation for road-riding.

They joined the Pacific Coast Athletic Association, but withdrew from that to constitute the California Division of the L. A. W., formed in 1886, with C. M. Welch as Chief Consul. [I think that should be R. M. Welch - MF] Bicycle contests had hitherto been held in conjunction with general athletic events. From this time bicycle matters improved.

The year 1888 marks the climax of bicycle racing in California. Five meets were held where championships were contested. Early in the year, W. S. Wing, of the Los Angeles Wheelmen, appeared, and won the three-mile championship in 9:30. The Bay City men, with Elwell, won the one, two, and three mile championships, - the latter called the national championship. The one-mile championship, run on the Stockton quarter mile track, is the most celebrated in local bicycle history. The race started out with a large field, Davis and Elwell favorites, who reached the tape within a few inches of each other. The time of this race is the present official record at one mile, 2:48 1/2; the two-mile record, 6:10 4-5, was made by the same man, Elwell, in that year. W. G. Davis, of the San Francisco Club, captured the half mile race, making 1:27 3/4, the present record.

The year 1889 was not a great one for cycling. On May 30 the Los Angeles Wheelmen had a meet, in which the most notable event was the remarkable speed shown by W. S. Wing, who made the mile in 2:47, lowering Elwell's record of 2:48 1/2, but the record was not allowed.

Little has been done in the last three years. This spring, however, there are mysterious rumors of dark horses communicated confidentially, with shaking of heads and knowing glances, mingled with the names. Foster of Alameda, Osen of San José, and Bell of the Oriental C. C. whose amateur standing is disputed.

In Los Angeles, since the sad death of W. S. Wing, Burke may be able to wear a new medal on the outside of his coat at the watering places this summer. The Palo Alto wheelmen are resting their hopes on J. E. Alexander, who recently made one mile in 2:45 2-5 riding a pneumatic-tired wheel.

The prosperity of the Garden City cyclers is evidenced by their new clubhouse. The Acme Club of Oakland are building a track at Temescal, for foot and for bicycle races. The Alameda Bicycle and Athletic Club is pushing to the front with good men and a good track of five laps to the mile, thirty feet wide, banked to six feet at the turns.

Who will be the next to add his name to the champions of 1890 and 1891?

Philip L. Weaver, Jr.

SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE TO L. A. W. BOOK, CALIFORNIA DIVISION, 1890.
Distance.	Winner.	Club.	Time.	Date.	Place
One-half mile	D. L. Burke,	Los Angeles W.	1.33	July 4, 1890.	San José.
One mile District	Henry Smith,	Garden City W.	3.03 2-5	July 4, 1890.	San José.
Five mile District	Julius Smith,	Garden City W.	16.58 3-5	July 4, 1890.	San José.
One mile Safety	J. F. Ives,	Alameda Bi. Club	3.18 3-5	July 4, 1890.	San José.
One mile	D. L. Burke,	Los Angeles W.	2.50 2-5	July 4, 1891.	Stockton.
Two miles Safety	Geo. Osen,	Garden City W.	5.45 2-5	July 4, 1891.	Stockton.
Three miles	W. R. Lipsett,	Garden City W.	9.58	Nov. 26, 1891.	Oakland.
Five miles Safety	Grant Bell,	Oriental C. C.	15.35 1-4	Nov. 26, 1891.	Oakland.

NECK AND NECK.