Encyclopedia Dubuque
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HAWKEYE CYCLE TRACK
HAWKEYE CYCLE TRACK. An estimated two hundred spectators were present for first day's program on September 5, 1896. This event, promoted by Joseph T. KELLY was to be used to determine whether bicycle events would be attractive in Dubuque for future years. (1)
Because of rain, the activities were limited to three events. The first event, the one-mile novice, featured six starters. About twenty feet from the end, one of the three leaders lost control and was pitched off. Another leader collided with him and also went down. The third leader finally crossed the line with a time of 2:03 1/4. (2)
The second race was the one-half mile amateur. Of the nine starters, a rider fro Marshalltown won, with second being taken by a racer from Waverly, and third was claimed by a person from Clarksville, Iowa. (3)
The three mile professional event caught the most interest with prizes of $50, $15, and $10. Eight riders participated. A rider from Carlinville won with a time of 8:44 3.4 followed by a rider from St. Paul and third went to a participant from Cedar Rapids. (4)
Lee Richardson, the champion trick rider of the world, entertained the crowd for fifteen minutes. Wearing black tights, a plush coat and cap, he stood on the pedals, handle bars and seat. He rode with the front wheel in the air and then "at a break neck speed only to jump off and then on a run he p=leaped and alighted on the pedals." (5)
On Monday the rest of the scheduled events were held. These included: two mile professional one mile professional, city championship one mile five mile amateur, one-half mile boys, one mile amateur, one-fourth mile amateur, two mile amateur, handicap five mile professional and the one mile club championship. (6)
The hope was expressed that if a good crowd of spectators watched the event, "Dubuque will be in the national circuit next year, which means a class of the best riders in the country." (7)
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Source:
1. "Sport was Good," The Dubuque Herald, September 6, 1896, p. 8
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. "The Bicycle Races," The Dubuque Herald, September 2, 1896, p. 4