VELOCIPEDE RACING.
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.