Another feature of the velocipede campaign, will be races against time,
and contests of rival riders. Fast and slow races for money, silver
cups, and other prizes, follow each other night after night in most
of our rinks. All the race-courses will be used for this purpose. A
provision for this sort of sport is in progress, at the Capitoline
Ball-ground, Brooklyn, where in May a half-mile track of smooth hard
road-way will be ready. The managers of the Prospect Park Association,
of the same place, have made arrangements to signalize their first
spring meeting for 1869, with a grand velocipede tournament; at which
prizes amounting to $1,500 will be given for the best time, to the
winners of a series of races. These races will be governed by a special
code of rules, which will include handicapping for weight of machines
and riders, diameter of driving wheel, and extent of treadles. There
will be first, second, and third prizes for the greatest speed; prizes
for the best time made; and prizes for slow riding. This tournament
will afford, not only an excellent opportunity for the display of
skill in American velocipede riding, but also a fair chance to show
off the merits of the different styles of machines. It will create an
excitement, and it is anticipated that many thousand people will be
present.
The proprietors of Riverside Park, near Boston, also intend to
inaugurate a series of bicycle contests on their course during the
ensuing summer.
At the last annual meeting of the Housatonic Agricultural Society of
Berkshire County, Mass., a vote was passed, offering premiums for
bicycle races, at the next exhibition and fair.
Velocipede races are now a feature of the French turf meetings. These
are less cruel, and more attractive and exciting, than running horses
under whip and spur. In the suburbs of Paris, a race of this kind
is especially interesting. The village in which it takes place is in
holiday guise; banners flaunt gaily, and eagles, wreaths, and flowers
are to be seen in every direction. The mayor is usually present, with
a red, white, and blue scarf, his badge of office. The riders wear
jockey caps and silk jackets, and at the moment of starting are drawn
up abreast. The fair sex mount their chairs, wave their hands, flourish
their handkerchiefs, laugh, and scream with delight as their favorites
start at the signal. In spite of the exertions of the _gendarmes_, the
crowd closes in behind the contestants, who are soon lost to sight. In
a few moments, however, distant shouts and cheers announce the return;
and the crowd opens, to allow the passage of the victor, who passes the
winning-post amidst great applause.
The fastest time which has thus far been made in France, was one mile
in two minutes and fourteen seconds. There is a record also, of two
miles having been made in four minutes and fifty-six seconds. This
extraordinary speed was attained on a perfect track, with large-wheeled
machines.
Among the velocipede wagers which have had place in our newspapers,
we mention one or two of the more remarkable. It is said that a
Providence pedestrian and rope-walker is to commence, on the first day
of June next, the unparalleled feat of propelling a velocipede of his
own manufacture, a distance of three thousand miles in thirty days,
averaging one hundred miles per day, for a wager of $5,000. During
the trip, he is to ride the velocipede one hundred and fifty miles in
twenty-four hours, and one trial only will be allowed.
Two New York gentlemen have wagered $1,500 a side to ride from New York
to Chicago. Articles of agreement have been drawn up and signed with a
forfeit of $250 each.