ROAD RACING IN AMERICA.

Southern Cross, Volume 5, Issue 22, 4 September 1897, Page 6

ROAD RACING IN AMERICA.

The amount of road racing carried out in the States during May, June, and July is marvellous. In this respect (remarks an exchange) the Yankees undoubtedly lead the world. On Decoration Day (May 31) there were half a dozen big events, viz., Chicago, Cook County, Martin, Irvington, Milburn, Cleveland, and Lewis of Buffalo, These events drew 1436 entries and provided 1188 actual starters. The surprising part of the business is how so many can compete when the distances only range up to twenty-five miles. Naturally, when events like this take place, the road is quite given up to the cyclists, and stands are built up on the roadside at various places to accommodate the vast crowds that congregate to witness the scrambles. It would seem that there are now so many people riding bicycles or interested in cycling in one way or another, in the States, that everything possible is done to promote the pastime. This must be so, because these big road events take place close to populous towns. Only half a dozen events are mentioned above, but there are hundreds of lesser degree run in Other localities scattered throughout the land. A very different state of affairs exists in England, on account of laws which were brought into force a couple of years ago, prohibiting road racing, so that if a road race is carried out the route is kept secret, in order that the police may be dodged.