Bicycle Race01

 

Waupaca Post

July 7, 1898

 

HANDICAP ROAD RACE

Louis Jensen Wins First Place, and Charles Larson First Time.

 

It is not too much to say tat the most exciting event of the Fourth of July celebration in Waupaca was the handicap bicycle road race to the Veterans’ Home and return, in which first place was won by Louis Jensen, second by Charles Larson, first time by Charles Larson, and second time by Paul Anderson.

            The entries and handicaps, as made and posted about 8 o’clock Saturday evening, were as follows:

                                                THE ENTRIES                        Handicap

                        Carl Anderson                                                  5:00

                        Louis Jensen                                                     5:00

                        Will Wagner                                                     4:00

                        Morris Dalton                                                   3:30

                        Chas. Nickel                                                    2:30

                        Albert Larson                                                   2:00

                        Peter Kraig                                                       2:00

                        Julius Lund                                                       1:30

                        Chris Rowland                                      1:30

                        Tede Anderson                                     1:30

                        Oscar Nelson                                                   1:30

                        Charles Larson                                     1:00

                        Paul Anderson                                                  1:00

                        Hans Anderson                                     1:00

                        W. Bailey                                                         :30

                        Clarence Chandler                                            scratch

                        Nels Anderson                                                 scratch

            Seven of the men entered failed to start, but soon after 2 o’clock the remaining ten were sent out as follows:  For the benefit of a great many people who do not understand a handicap (and they are perhaps a majority of the whole) it is explained that the minutes and seconds in the “handicap” column measure the start or advantage given to the different men over the scratch men, or last ones to start in the race.  All start from the same place and all ride the same distance …

            hot race of eight and a half miles.  After many false alarms, and about twenty-six minutes after the first man had got away, “Here he comes” was the cry, as a racer appeared on the hill above Matt Jenson’s.  On nearer approach he was identified as Lois Jensen, the little limit man who was never headed.  He was far enough ahead of the second man to make his winning of first place sure.  Just twenty-five seconds after Jensen, Charles Larson took second place, and, as afterwards apparent, first time.  The seven finishers came in as follows:

 

                        IN ORDER OF FINISH

                                                                                    Handicap          Time

                                                Louis Jensen                 5:00                 27:33

                                                Charles Larson 1:00                 23:58

                                                Morris Dalton               3:30                 26:25

                                                Paul Anderson              1:00                 25:13

                                                Clarence Chandler        scratch             25:31

                                                Nels Anderson             scratch             25:53

                                                Tede Anderson 1:30                 28:04

                                    IN ORDER OF TIME

                                                                                                Handicap          Time

                                                            Charles Larson 1:00                 23:58

                                                            Paul Anderson              1:00                 25:13

                                                            Clarence Chandler        scratch             25:31

                                                            Nels Anderson             scratch             25:53

                                                            Morris Dalton               3:30                 26:25

                                                            Louis Jensen                 5:00                 27:33

                                                            Tede Anderson 1:30                 28:04

            A study of these tables by any one who understands all they mean will convince him that the committee of handicappers did their work well.

            Had not Hans Anderson broken his chain there probably would have been a sharp brush for time honors between him and Charles Larson; and a sprint at the finish between Nels Anderson and Clarence Chandler was prevented by the giving out of the front fork of Nels’ wheel coming down the last hill.  He discovered the break and slowed down in time to prevent what might have been a serious accident.

            The purse of $25 cash was won as follows:  Charles Larson, $13 - $10 for first time, and $3 for second place; Louis Jensen, $8 for first place; Paul Anderson, $4 for second time.

            Charles Larson is a son of Lars Larson the ice man, and Louis Jensen is a lad known to many patrons of his father’s steam laundry.

            So great was the interest in the race by the thousands who witnessed it that there is already talk of having another one soon.