AMONG THE WHEELMEN - Track to Be Used in the Tournament. - A Matter of Interest to Racers. - San Francisco Chronicle, 19 Jan 1895

Frank D. Elwell was a very successful bicycle racer in the mid-1880s, who went on to become a race official and an engineer. His engineering work began with the development of bicycle racing tracks. Here follows a segment from Among the Wheelmen, a regular article in the San Francisco Chronicle that talks about a new track he designed and had constructed at the Mechanics Pavilion for a cycling tournament. Mechanics pavilion was on Stockton, between Post and Geary, effectively one side of what's now Union Square, in San Francisco. I have the entire article transcribed below, but this is the interesting part, (to me) so I present it on its own.

F. D. Elwell, who designed the track to be used at the Mechanics' Pavilion during the cycling tournament, states that a novel feature of the track will be the method of laying the floor on the curves. Strips of Oregon pine, 1x2 inches, laid on edge, will be built to conform with the curve of the track, so that a rider keeping an even distance from the pole will be actually riding on one strip, thus causing a minimum resistance to forward impulse, while at the same time the resistance to side slipping will be considerable from the fact that the strips will be laid very slightly apart, producing a corrugated effect on the tire. The floor of the Pavilion will be utilized for the straight-aways and the curves will meet it with an invisible joint.

Frank Waller sets the 25-mile record, rides from Oakland to top of Mount Hamilton and back - June, 1891

The Wheelmen Frank Waller wins 25-mile championship 01 Jun 1891, Mon San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The Wheelmen. 

At the twenty-five mile road race of the Alameda Bicycle Club, held on the San Leandro triangle on Decoration day, [May 30th] the records for California, and, in fact, for the United States, to use a common expression, just naturally were "not in it.” It had rained early in the morning, but notwithstanding the bad condition of the roads some 200 wheelmen met, and at about 10:45 o'clock the first start was made. The men got off in good style, running toward Hayward on the straight road, and turning to the right. At the end of the first lap the first starter, Williams, Alameda Bicycle Club, crossed the line first. The second lap saw Foster, Alameda Bicycle Club, traveling in splendid form first. This position he maintained to the finish, crossing the line in 1h., 25m. and 25s. Osen [not sure whether Oscar or George] of the Garden City Wheelmen of San Jose pushed Foster hard here, almost lapping his rear wheel. This was a very pretty finish. Waller of the Oaklands came next, and so on to the end. The scratch men, Stoddard, Bay City Wheelmen, and Ives, Alameda Bicycle Club, made a good tussle, Ives getting the place about thirty feet in front of Stoddard. Waller got the time prize on a cushion-tire safety in 1h., 24m, and 57s., the best previous one being 1h. 26m. and a fraction.

FROM FRISCO TO SAN DIEGO - Oscar Osen of San Jose Does It Inside of Four Days - The San Francisco Examiner, 26 May 1894

I've found a few stories about riding the coast north to south, in the first bike boom era. Here are a few that I've transcribed and researched. Definitely read the Pearne one.

• MANY MILES ON WHEEL - WHEEL WHIRLS - ACME ATHLETES - Oakland Tribune 02 May 1894, Wed Page 8
• Pleasurable and Tiresome Experiences - Wading Through Sand and Tide - Graphic Narrative of a Cycling Trip to Southern California - San Francisco Chronicle, 08 Sep 1894, Sat Page 9
• From San Francisco to Los Angeles in 1902 by Frank Y. Pearne

FROM FRISCO TO SAN DIEGO Oscar Osen of San Jose Does It Inside of Four Days 26 May 1894, Sat The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

FROM FRISCO TO SAN DIEGO 

Oscar Osen of San Jose Does It Inside of Four Days.

OSCAR OSEN,
THE RECORD BREAKER

A. P. SWAIN TAKES MORE TIME.

The First Night Brings Osen to Paso Robles - Monday Night He Got to Santa Barbara and Tuesday Night to Los Angeles - Over 150 Miles Day With Wind, Mountains and Sand.

Over 600 miles in four days, and part of that over the mountains, is a wonderful ride for a wheelman. It was done, though, by "Kid" Osen, the San Jose road rider.

THE SILENT STEED. Coxhead / Bouton - Oakland Tribune, 04 Apr 1888

THE SILENT STEED. Coxhead Bonton / Bouton 04 Apr 1888, Wed Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com

THE SILENT STEED. 

What the Local Wheelmen Are Doing, and What They Intend to Do.

Mr. Coxhead has offered bis fine fifty-three Columbia Light Roadster for sale. Henceforth he will ride a Victor Safety.

Mr. Bonton [Bouton] has invented a bicycle rack for holding bicycles. It makes an excellent bicycle stand, and in cleaning wheels, by reversing the bicycle it is firmly held by grooves. A person can clean a wheel in half the time ordinarily used.

THE WHEELMEN. - The Rise and Fall of the Ariel Bicycle Club. - Oakland Tribune, 18 Apr 1888

THE WHEELMEN Ralph & Edith Coxhead, A. A. Bouton, Ariel Bicycle Club 18 Apr 1888, Wed Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com

THE WHEELMEN. 

The Rise and Fall of the Ariel Bicycle Club. 

Some months ago a bicycle club was formed in Oakland, and for months it flourished. It was known by the name Ariel - a pleasant title. Soon the membership began to increase, when it was found that a little back room was hardly sufficient to accommodate the youths seeking honors on the dusty roads. So a suite of rooms on Eighth street and Broadway, in the Shattuck block, was secured and fitted up in comfortable style, and here for many weeks the members of the Ariel Club met and discussed matters. But they will meet and discuss matters no more. The Ariel Bicycle Club is a thing of the past. It is "busted," and the ex-members of the Ramblers hail with delight the news of its sudden decease.

CHAT ABOUT THE CYCLE. - The Steady Growth of the New California Club. - Articles of Association of the Proposed Federation - The Enterprising Acmes - Sunday Runs - The San Francisco Call, 01 Aug 1892

CHAT ABOUT THE CYCLE. The Steady Growth of the New California Club. Mon, Aug 1, 1892 – Page 8 · The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) · Newspapers.com

CHAT ABOUT THE CYCLE.

The Steady Growth of the New California Club.

Articles of Association of the Proposed Federation - The Enterprising Acmes -  Sunday Runs

It has often been remarked that the Mission with its miles of level streets and hundreds of unattached wheelmen had no organization of cyclists. However, this is of the past, for on the second day of June, after a short canvass, nine wheelmen met in the rooms of the now-defunct Kensington Club and organized the California Cycling Club. The very convenient rooms covering the entire second floor of the building on the southwest corner of Twenty-second and Folsom streets, were secured as a club-house, and, with some additions and improvements, will make as cosy a place as could be desired. The growth of the club bas been all that its most ardent supporters expected. It now has 31 members, and applications are being received at every meeting. Among the prominent members are some of the best known businessmen of the Mission.

THAT TWENTY FOUR HOUR RECORD - Bearings, The Cycling Authority of America, Volumes 4-6, 1892

Bearings, The Cycling Authority of America, Volumes 4-6, 1892

THAT TWENTY FOUR HOUR RECORD

Full Story of Waller's Wonderful Ride in California - Also Broke the Three Hundred Mile Record - Dieted on Doughnuts - Was the Timing Reliable 

Last week THE BEARINGS told that Frank Waller, of the Acme Bicycle Club, of Oakland, Cal., rode 363 miles, 1.590 yards in twenty-four hours, on the new track of the Alameda Bicycle Club, at Alameda, thus breaking Holbein's record of 361 miles, 1,446 yards.

HOME OF THE FAMOUS ACMES - Born in a barn and matured in a Chinese wash-house, the Acme Athletic Club - The San Francisco Examiner, 02 Dec 1893

HOME OF THE FAMOUS ACMES Born in a barn and matured in a Chinese wash-house, the Acme Athletic Club 02 Dec 1893, Sat The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

HOME OF THE FAMOUS ACMES

An Oakland Club Which Houses Champions of all Descriptions

PYRAMIDS MADE A SPECIALTY.

How the Influential Amateur Organization From Small Beginnings Became an Affair of Vast Importance - Personnel of Those Who Have Achieved Fame In Different Departments of Sport

Born in a barn and matured in a Chinese wash-house the Acme Athletic Club of Oakland has risen to such importance that it is now able to produce at least as good athletes as those turned out by the famous Olympic Club of San Francisco. Some of the Acmes championship men have won their laurels from the Olympic champions and the intervention of several years has not been enough to regain for that organization its lost honors.

RIGHTS OF THE HORSE AND THE BICYCLE ON PARK ROADS. - 10 Sep 1894, Mon The San Francisco Examiner

See the following day's article, WHAT THE BICYCLISTS WOULD LIKE TO DO IN THE PARK. - The San Francisco Examiner, 11 Sep 1894, Tue, Page 8, which is in response to, and relates to this article. Right now there is an attempt to restore cars to the sections of Golden Gate Park that are currently car-free, due to the pandemic. Some of the same agitations between classes and castes, between four wheels and two are evident in these two 1894 articles as are evident now, in 2021. - MF

RIGHTS OF THE HORSE AND THE BICYCLE ON PARK ROADS. 10 Sep 1894, Mon The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

RIGHTS OF THE HORSE AND THE BICYCLE ON PARK ROADS.

Bicyclists Contending That They Shall Be Put on an Equal Footing With Drivers.

Nettled Horsemen Air Their Grievances Against the Reckless Riders of the Shimmering Machines.

SAY THEY RUIN THE HORSES.

Riders Want Restrictions Removed Regarding the Time They Are Permitted to spin Along the Main Drive, and Ask for Access to Stow Lake and a Liberal Moonlight Schedule - Horsemen Vote the Bicycle a Nuisance, but Admit That Its Rider Has Rights.

ON THE TRACK. - The Wheelmen's and Athletic Tournament at Alameda. - May 31, 1886

This was the second time Frank Elwell, raced, as far as I can tell. I'm researching him, so that's why this post exists. I've gathered a few different reportings of the event in one post. Why am I researching Frank Elwell? Bicycle riding really had its first big boom in the San Francisco Bay Area in the mid-1880s, like much of the rest of the Europe and America, and in this region there was one young athlete, Frank who inspired his team and the region with his race winnings. Everyone loves a hero, right? Frank was that hero, and he helped to elevate this activity in the popular imagination. Later, he was to become a civil engineer, and his start was designing and building bicycle tracks, AKA velodromes, before moving on to things like bridges and railroads. So, about that day, May 31, 1886...

Excerpted from The Wheelmen's gazette, v. 1 Apr. 1886-Mar. 1887, page 60, find the full text at the bottom of this post:

The Bicycle Sports. - Thomas Stevens - 25-mile road race - 22 Nov 1886, Mon The San Francisco Examiner

The Bicycle Sports. Thomas Stevens 25-mile road race 22 Nov 1886, Mon The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The Bicycle Sports. 

Donnelly, Knapp and Wood of San Mateo were among the guests of the Bay City Wheelmen on their run to Haywards one week ago.

Thomas Stevens has abandoned the idea of riding through China, so he will be here about the end of the year, earlier than he expected. The company whose wheel he is advertising have arranged to give him a big reception on his arrival here.

The California division L. A. W. had about ten members at this time last year; it now has over two hundred, and is still increasing.

R. G. Bailey has been appointed L. A. W. Consul for San Jose.

The half-mile State championship will be run off at Los Angeles on the 25th instant

E. Mohrig, accompanied by his wife, intended to leave here Saturday on his tandem for San Jose. They were to visit the various points of interest in the city of long-legged riders and were to return on Tuesday, but the rain interfered and they did not go.

It is quite possible that Cook, the ex-champion, will race again next year. From the way he is riding now he seems to have lost none of his old-time speed.

The preparations for the twenty-five-mile road race have been completed and the race cannot but prove one of the greatest ever run on this Coast. Barring accidents F. D. Elwell should be the winner, and will probably ride the distance in less time than one hour and forty minutes. The start will be made seven-eighths of a mile from San Leandro, so that three times around the triangle will give the required distance and finish at San Leandro.

The latest convert to tricycling is J. Cairn Simpson, editor of the Breeder and Sportsman. There is more joy in heaven over one sinner (trotting horse man) that repenteth than the etc., etc., which need no repentance. [Luke 15:7]

The names of W. W. Haralson of Oakland and S. F. Booth Jr. of San Francisco have been sent to President Beckwith of the L. A. W. for appointment as the two additional representatives to which California is now entitled.

THE WHEELMEN. - Seventy-five Members of the California Division of the American League on the Road. - 02 Jun 1890, Mon The San Francisco Call

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SF - Hollister 1890 02 Jun 1890, Mon The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

THE WHEELMEN.

Seventy-five Members of the California Division of the American League on the Road. 

Gilroy, June I.— Seventy-five members of the California Division of the League of American Wheelmen arrived here to-day at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, on a run of 100 miles. Large crowds were awaiting them. They left, after an hour's rest, for Hollister. This breaks the number record of America, the previous one having been at St. Louis. The wheelmen are members of the Bay City, Garden City and Capital City clubs. The special train conveying them home from Hollister passed through here late tonight.

See also:

THE WHEEL. - A New Club-House for the San Franciscos. - Sun, Jun 8, 1890 - Page 3 - The San Francisco Call

The Wheelmen. - run to Hollister - 09 Jun 1890, Mon San Francisco Chronicle