Everett "E. S." Dowdle

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In this June 16, 1946 section of the Oakland Tribune called "The Knave" we read these reminiscences from James M. Shanly:

High-Wheeled Days

The Knave's recent article "Recalls Cycling Days," caused James M. Shanly of Auburn to dig into old possessions to uncover a picture of the times when the cycles had high wheels in front and the cyclists made imposing pictures in group formation and on cross-country runs. "On a typical run," says Shanly, one could see Lou Lamory on his big '56', bucking the Alvarado afternoon wind with Everett Dowdle, an athlete of marked ability, on his '42' riding on the lee side, both riding under the Acme Athletic Club's colors . . . a red-winged acorn on a black background . . . now used by the Athens Club, the dies for which were presented when that club came into being. On a recent Sunday those remaining of the Acme celebrated its 64th anniversary at which time the champions of their day reveled in stories of racing on ordinaries (high wheels), 'safeties', boxing, wrestling, fencing, rowing, swimming, gym work, track racing, field activities, handball and the 'parlor athletes' will have their inning. An 'ordinary' race, track or road, was always both fascinating to witness and a hard grind to the participants. The clubs participating usually being: The Bay Cities, Garden Cities, San Jose Road Club, Alameda Cyclers, Olympic Club Wheelmen, Sacramento Cycles, Reliance Club and the hard-riding Acmes. O. L. Pickard, Acme, was the first to ride the 100 miles from San Francisco to Oakland via San Jose. His record held for years. At about the height of 'ordinary' racing Bert Lund, unattached, entered the races held at the Oakland Trotting Park for benefit of building fund for the Fabiola Hospital. He had a cushioned-tired wheel and, in memory, some of those alive can hear the 'heluva protest' that went up. But it was a wheel to the judges and that was that.
27 Jun 1953, Sat Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com

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