CHAT ABOUT THE CYCLE. - The San Francisco Club and What It Has Done. - Results of Yesterday's Races - The Coming League Meet - Ladies Who Ride the Wheel. - The San Francisco Call, 25 Apr 1892, Mon - Page 8

CHAT ABOUT THE CYCLE. Mon, Apr 25, 1892 – Page 8 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com

CHAT ABOUT THE CYCLE.

The San Francisco Club and What It Has Done.

Results of Yesterday's Races - The Coming League Meet - Ladies Who Ride the Wheel.

First in point of age among existing organizations of wheelmen in the United States is the San Francisco Bicycle Club, which was formed on December 13, 1878. The charter members were: Ralph de Clairmont, George H. Strong, ex-Governor George C. Perkins, Howard B. Land, John B. Golly, William M. Fuller, G. L. Cunningham, Fred G. Blinn and C. L. Barnett. At that time bicycles were not allowed in Golden Gate Park; but the club prevailed on the commissioners to permit its members to enter the park at Stanyan street and ride on the south drive as far as Strawberry Hill before 10 o'clock in the forenoon and after 5 o'clock in the afternoon.

The first bicycle race ever witnessed in California was run under the auspices of the club at the old Mechanics' Pavilion in the latter part of 1879. It was won by H. C. Eggers, who made 525 miles in three days, and excited much interest. In August, 1880, the club joined the League of American Wheelmen and also adopted a uniform of gray and navy blue. In that same year H. C. Finckler, a member of the club, after considerable trouble, succeeded in demonstrating to the police of Los Angeles that he could not be prevented from riding his bicycle on the streets of that city. An important concession was obtained by the club from the Park Commissioners in March, 1881. This was the privilege, granted to members only, of continuing the ride from Strawberry Hill to the ocean beach - still, however, with severe restrictions as to hours.

A successful tournament in aid of the Garfield Monument Association was held at the Bay District track on Thanksgiving day, 1881. In 1882 the club secured free transportation for its wheels from this city to San Mateo. This was the entering wedge which enabled the League of American Wheelmen to have wheels carried without charge on all coast railroad lines. Permission to enter the Presidio reservation, on condition that the members wear their uniform and badge and walk down all steep grades, was obtained from General MeDowell in 1882. At the same time they were given the right to enter the park at Baker street. The good work done by these pioneer wheelmen entitled them to the thanks of all who so freely ride through the park and Presidio to-day.

The club received and entertained Thomas A. Stevens on his return from his trip around the world in November, 1886. From time to time the meeting place of the club was changed, and not until this year has it been comfortably housed. An incorporation was effected on the 14th of last month, and soon after the elegant residence on the southwest corner of Golden Gate avenue and Polk street was leased. The building has been refitted and furnished, and the club will give a housewarming next Friday evening which promises to be one of the most notable events in its history. Recently the club has gained many new members, and seems to have entered on a new era of prosperity. Its officers are as follows: Thomas R. Knox, president; H. J. Foley, vice-president; Thomas R. Cobden, secretary; B. T. Edwards, treasurer; Will I. Pixley, captain; Fred Hess, first lieutenant, and L. H. Cox, second lieutenant.

An event for which extensive preparations have been made is a picnic of all the clubs in this city and neighboring places, to be given next Sunday, May 1, at San Mateo. The affair is in charge of a joint committee of arrangements from the San Francisco and Bay City Clubs.

The four-lap track on the extensive grounds of the Alameda Club will be finished by May day. It is 30 feet wide all around, banked 6 feet at the corners, and will have a smooth, hard surface. The ladies' annex to this enterprising club now has about 30 active members.

Cyclists should familiarize themselves with the rules regarding the use of roads in the park on Saturdays and Sundays. Sergeant Thompson of the park police is always courteous to inexperienced wheelmen who go astray, but the same cannot be said of all of his subordinates.

A ladies' annex to the Capital City Wheelmen has been organized at Sacramento with the following officers: President, Mrs. R. H. Jewel; captain, Miss Mabel Steinman; first lieutenant, Miss Josie Flye; second lieutenant, Miss Laura Cooper; secretary and treasurer, Miss Etta Steinman; historian, Miss Miriam Govan.

In a spirit of generosity, which well becomes that powerful organization, the Bay City Wheelmen have transferred their championship races for May 30 to the Alameda Club.

Several members of the Acme Club of Oakland were noticed in the park yesterday afternoon.

J. G. Leikens and Daniel P. Dolan of the Oriental Cycling Club made the round trip to Camp Taylor yesterday, for which point the Orientals had called a run, but which was postponed on account of the threatening aspect of the weather. They report the roads in fine condition. Red, white and yellow have been adopted as the colors of this promising young club.

The race meet committee of the Bay City Wheelmen and Capital City Wheelmen, having in charge the annual L. A. W. meet to be held at Sacramento July 4, met at Sacramento to start the ball rolling. The following is a list of the committees appointed and to whom queries for the different departments must be addressed: Transportation - Wetmore, Story and Elliot; track - Newell, Upson and Dexter; programme -Plummer, Dexter and Elliott: touring - Upson, Plummer and Newell; prizes - Sperry, Story and Lavenson; parade - Upson, Plummer, Ripley and Story; advertising - Ripley, Wetmore and Lavenson; ball and parties - Lavenson, Sperry and Upson; accommodation - Newell, Ripley and Dexter.

The list of races as arranged will give some splendid racing. The citizens and the club of Sacramento are very enthusiastic and promise a good time to all who may attend.

The races will be as follows: One-mile safety novice; three-mile ordinary handicap; half-mile safety scratch; one-mile ordinary championship: two-mile safety handicap; half-mile ordinary scratch; one-mile safety handicap; five-mile safety championship.

A Watsonville exchange says: The local wheelmen took a spin last Sunday to the capital of the northern part of the Pajaro Valley - Corralitos. The boys took the outward run leisurely, but coming home they scored [scorched?] and made the return trip in 30 minutes. A seven-mile run in that time on a wheel is fast traveling, and shows that the roads must have been in good condition.

The relay race from Fruitvale to San Jose between teams from the San Francisco and Garden City clubs, which was fixed for yesterday, was indefinitely postponed owing to the rain. The Bay City's are waiting to "try out" the winners of these road races between the cracks of other clubs.

Sacramento Wheelmen Victorious. 

STOCKTON, April 24. - The relay bicycle race between Sacramento and Stockton wheelmen was won by the former. Time, 3 hours 9 min. 23 sec. Stockton's time was 3 hours 22 min. 7 sec.. A large crowd was awaiting the result. The names of the Stockton wheelmen were: Wulff, Swain, Bargeman, Lillie and Inglis. The Sacramento riders were: L. S. Upson, C. S. Wells, C. G. Demerritt, George Hudson and W. A. Dexter.