A FAMOUS WHEELMAN.

Evening Star, Issue 9830, 19 October 1895, Page 4

A FAMOUS WHEELMAN.

As Zimmerman, who is now in Australia, was leaving for Sydney a reporter of a Bristol paper interviewed tho champion, when he Rave the following interesting particulars of his career:—

" I was born at Camden, in New Jersey, in 1869; I weigh about 1701b} am 6ft in height, and have won something like 400 races."

" Where do you find the best tracks ?" !'The best track I know is in Boston. The crack tracks of to-day are constructed of cement; they are much faster than any others."

" What training do you think is necessary to tit you for racing ?"—" Most cyclists have styles of their own. I simply do \vhat I call preparatory work. I recommend a run of five miles morning and afternoon every day for the first month at a fairly good fast pace, and to do away with any spinning. This sort of training will build up a foundation for the fast spurting work. Of course as the days go on the pace may be increased."

"What machine do you ride?"—"A ' Zimmy,' and the one 1 have at present weighs 191b." " You find, I suppose, that the weight of machines is continually decreasing?"—" Yes. My first racer weighed 27-Jdb, and last year I rode a 23.\1b machine. The l9lb machine is a new design, and is very durable. A machine to give you the best results must be rigid, so that when you put pressure on it it will yield, and not spring." "How does so mitch riding affect your health?"—"l think it is beneficial. Ibelieve I have done more cycling than any cyclist in the world. When you consider that in 1893 I travelled 20,000 miles, and won 101 prizes, you get some idea of what riding I do."