DOWN THE STRETCH
By George Sherck
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| Brothers Torchy and Doug Peden, Montreal gazette |
And with the jam the crowd comes to its feet for it's this phase of six-day bike racing that furnishes the thrills to a grinding, nerve-wrecking sport. A six-day test of bicycle racing that ends with a continuous jam in which riders fight the threat of spill and serious injury for victory.
Well, the six-day bike race is still part of the American sport scene. And will continue, we believe, during the crisis, despite the fact riders are at a premium.
Oakland's last six-day race was held in February, 1937, and was won by Cecil Yates and George Dempsey.
The other night in Milwaukee the Peden brothers, Torchy and Doug, topped the field. Peden, which one we do not know, won his first Madison Square Garden race in 1932 with the then veteran McNamara. Also in the Milwaukee race was a De Baets who won a New York race in 1925. Looks as if the veterans are having a field day.
Rodman was a rider at Milwaukee as was Cecil Yates. And blond Audy of Canada, also known to Bay region six-day bike fans, rode in the Beer city. Britain, created the forerunner of the bicycle as we [text missing]
It's doubtful if Oakland or San Francisco sees any six-day racing this Spring but we might have it in the Fall.
Bicycling is an old sport and while the war has hit many an athletic pastime the devotee of the bike has escaped.
To Build 1,000,000 Bikes
Impressed with bicycling's possibilities in this newest of new Americas the OPM has promised the industry a limited allocation of steel and rubber.In their turn the manufacturers agree they will produce 1,000,000 bikes this year (1941 output 1,800,000) and save the Government 30,000 tons of steel. Here's how they'll do it: make but two models (male and female) instead of the 35 on the market last year. The weight will be limited to 34 pounds instead of the present average of 49 pounds. Spotlights, battery tanks, other gadgets will be forgotten.
Bicycling has come a long way since the first something or other which became the bicycle appeared on the streets of Paris in 1690. [sic] This contraption had two wooden wheels and two upright posts joined by a crossbar, and locomotion was achieved by the simple process of placing one's feet on the ground and pushing with them and then coasting when sufficient speed was achieved.
Came many models, from France, England and other countries until in 1885 J. K. Starley of Great Britain, created the forerunner of the bicycle as we know it in America today, except that it had hard rubber tires. In 1888 J. P. Dunlop, then in Belfast, invented the pneumatic tire and then came the easy going vehicle we are now using.
Great Sport Here in 1895
Bike racing came in late 80's and early 90's. The first six-day race was held in 1891 but it was not until 1916 that the race in its present form, with sprint points naming the winner in case of lap ties, was introduced.
In 1895 the sport of bike racing took Oakland by storm and the Acme Club was the center of all activity. San Jose then became Nationally known as a bike riding and racing center. The popular athletic club in those days was the bicycle organizations known as wheelmen and wheelwomen's clubs.
France became the Nation that really took the bike to its heart. One of that country's great events before the present disgrace was a long bike race in which thousands competed. Its winner became a national hero. [He might mean Paris-Brest-Paris.]
In other European nations the bike was used by men and women to carry them to work and back. And every army had its bicycle corps. The bicycle is still used today by the German Army and word comes from the Pacific area that Japanese troops also make use of the vehicle.
In America most bicycles are owned by boys and girls, or by firms that rent them out on Sundays and holidays to people who wish to regain a bit of their youth. Or women who wish to display smart legs in brief shorts.
Many Used Father's Bicycle
But in the early 90's many an American used the bicycle to carry him to work. We used to take our father's bike when he came home from his cooper shop in the brewery, climb with it to the top of the ash pile in the alley and try to defy the laws of gravity with it. We succeeded, and later got so we could ride backwards. And do other tricks when feminine eyes were watching.
Perhaps our greatest achievement was the ability to take a ten-pound lard pail, properly greased with butter to keep the foam down, to the corner saloon, get it filled to the brim and then ride home without spilling a drop.
Glorious days, those.
Oakland bicycle dealers are glad of the decision of the OPM to allow the manufacture of 1,000,000 bikes in 1942. They state that not only is the demand for bicycles for pleasure greater than ever but that its use for carrying men to work is becoming more popular now that there's a restriction on the making of automobiles and tires are practically impossible to secure for pleasure riding.
It used to be we urged Lucille to take a ride in our merry Oldsmobile. That came, naturally, after the lady tired of using a bicycle built for two. But it begins to look as if the man who can make a bike behave can now use it to good advantage.
When all other means of athletic participation fail you still can walk. But with the bike still holding a vital spot in our life it looks as if you still will be able to go places, keep in shape, and have fun on the bicycle.
Is history repeating itself?
DOWN THE STRETCH
By George Sherck
Oakland bicycle reminiscences
Acme Club Thu, Jan 15, 1942 – Page 13 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) · Newspapers.com
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