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Clubs
The San Francisco Bicycle Club is the second association of this kind in the United States, being organized December 13, 1878. Ralph de Clairemont, one of the founders, is the oldest bicycle rider on the coast, and imported one of the first French bicycles made in the present form. Several years after the organization of the Club a number of the younger members who had gained considerable proficiency in riding and were eager for tests of skill, seceded, forming the Bay City Club. This latter Club had been in existence but a short time when it was again divided, and a number of gentlemen who cared more for touring than for racing formed what is called "The Cycling Club."
A DISTINGUISHED OFFICE.
HOW HARRY GREENE WON THE DAY.
The advantages to be gained by organization are manifold. By the concerted action of the members of the San Francisco Club, headed by the indefatigable Harry Greene, the broker, the Park roads have been made available to wheelmen, while in Oakland a nonsensical street ordinance prohibiting their use has been repealed. The members make frequent trips into the country, and sometimes find it advantageous to take the train on their way home. For a long time none but express trains would stop for them, and then their wheels were rated at the highest rates for local express, while dirty sportsmen, returning from hunts down the road, were received on every train, and their ill-smelling trophies and ugly, barking dogs passed as baggage. Harry Greene, single-handed, waged a long battle to have the unjust discrimination lifted, and at last, in a fit of desperation, made out a blank order declaring that wheelmen should have the same privileges as sportsmen, and sent it to Charles Crocker, who capitulated to this bold proceeding and signed it on the spot. During the first four years of the San Francisco Club's existence Ralph de Clairmont was its President, and during the first three years G. Loring Cunningham was the Captain, succeeded by Herman C. Eggers in the fourth year. Columbus Waterhouse has held the office of President for the last five years, and during that time the successive list of Captains is composed of Herman C. Eggers, Charles A. Butler, Henry London, Herman C. Eggers and Harry G. Greene.
WHO BELONG TO THE CITY CLUBS.
Its present membership is as follows : Ralph de Clairmont, Herman C. Eggers, George J. Hobe, Chas. L. Leonard, Charles A. Butler, Columbus Waterhouse, Fred Waterhouse, Henry C. Finkler, [Finckler] Alfred H. Cables, John B. Martin, Henry London, James W. Kerr, Morris Feintuch, Frank A. McLaughlin, John W. Gibson, Robt. T. Verrinder, Henry L. Chambers, John C. Quinn, Geo. R. Butler, Henry R. Judah, J. W. Winter, Walter S. Kelley, Walter E. Slack, Harry A. Greene, Isaac Ehrenberg, James A. White, Frank A. Osborn, Jason W. Nash, James Sanderson, Frederick W. Gibson and John F. M. McCarthy. The Club uniform is neat and tasteful, consisting of a dark-brown Parole jacket, knee breeches and stockings, and black cap with visor. The Club colors are blue and white.
There is one office recognized in all the Clubs of the coast, which does not appear on the regular list. This is the position of Road Inspector, an honor conceded to the member who takes the most headers within a given time. In the Bay City Club the office was filled for some time by Walter Rideout, and latterly by the worthy President, Thomas L. Hill. Columbus Waterhouse and Mr. George J. Hobe of the San Francisco Club, ride what are termed "grasshoppers," which have the saddle so far back that it is impossible to take a header from them, but Dr. Winters, who is sixty-four years old, and Mr. de Clairemont, who is sixty, declare that "grasshoppers" are only fit for old men, and they will not ride them. The amusement gives opportunity for the display of some fortitude, and on one occasion, when Fred Russ Cook, who has one of the best general records in the Union, set out with Mr. Bowman for a long ride, Mr. Bowman took a header at the start, breaking the handle off from his machine and fracturing both wrists, but he bravely made the one hundred-mile trip with sprained wrists and a piece of wood tied on for a handle. The worst accident that has happened to any member, fell to the lot of Mr. Mclaughlin of the San Francisco Club, who once attempted to ride down hill at the Presidio without a brake, whereupon man and wheel took a flying leap through the air, across a gully, and both were picked up seriously damaged.
The riders endured the stare of pedestrians and braved audibly derisive remarks from horsemen. They rode the high phantom wheel, spite of all danger, until more stout hearts augmented their numbers. These pioneer wheelmen organized the San Francisco Bicycle Club on December 13, 1878, at Union Hall.It was the first club in this city and second only to the Boston Bicycle Club, which had been organized a few months earlier. Colonel Ralph de Clairmont, Senator Perkins, H. B. Land, W. M. Fuller. G. Loring Cunningham, George H. Strong, F. G. Blinn, J. B. Golly and Charles L. Barrett were the charter members. Some of them still ride the wheel, but not the old style they had to climb in those days. Colonel de Clairmont was President of the club till 1881, when he was succeeded by Columbus Waterhouse. The club maintained its organization until two years ago.
Eventually, a committee from the San Francisco Bicycle Club, composed of Governor George C. Perkins, Colonel de Clairmont, George Hobe and Columbus Waterhouse, was successful in obtaining an audience with the Park Commissioners, when the greatest surprise was manifested by the potentates as the committee made known its errand.
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