1884 - Aberdeen - 5 to 12 July

Press Cuttings from 19th Century Newspapers

SIXTEEN-HOURS’ PROFESSIONAL BICYCLE RACE
Aberdeen Weekly Journal (Scotland) Monday, 7-Jul-1884

“The first 16-hour’s professional bicycle contest of the season was commenced on Saturday at the Recreation Grounds. The 16 hours are distributed over seven nights. On Saturday the riders ran for three hours, and to-night and each of the following evenings they will run for two hours, and will complete the 16 hours on Saturday next. The prize money (£50) secured a large number of competitors, including the well-known south riders Tyre, Lamb, and Park[es], as well as several smart local riders, the most prominent of whom are S. and W. Clark. The evening was very mild, and there was a large attendance, upwards of 4000 people being present. George Robertson acted as starter and referee, and at 6:30 sharp sent the men away. When entering the second lap, W. Clark had a severe “spill,” through the crank of his machine going wrong, and retired for the evening. S. Cark, Tyre, Lamb, and Parkes alternately made the running, and the performance of the local man was occasionally applauded. During the first hour, in which 18 miles 2 laps were covered, these riders kept well together, but Tyre now went in front and forced the pace, and next in order was Lamb, who was followed by Parkes. The local man, however, pressed well forward and would not be shaken off.”

“The last hour’s riding proved very exciting, Tyre and Lamb forcing the running, but being unable to effect a separation. About 15 minutes from the finish, Tyre, who had been resting at the rear for a long time, rushed to the front, followed by Lamb, and from this point to the finish of the race the pace was exceedingly fast. S. Clark and Parkes did their best to follow their two opponents, but they were altogether outpaced. After riding for about seven minutes, Lamb and Tyre lapped Clark and Parkes; and not content with this, they again went away, and, riding in very fine style, were only a few yards behind the pair when the pistol was fired, thus having secured about two laps lead. The riding of the first four men during the whole three hours was much quicker than we have seen in a professional race in Aberdeen. The amateurs covered 45 miles 9 laps during the first three hours of their race, with a break of an hour, but it will be seen that Saturday’s performance was several miles ahead of this. In consequence of the people rushing on to the track, S. Clark fell when finishing, but was not hurt. The following are the distances:-”

“It should be mentioned that Miller had a good many stoppages during the evening his machine breaking up badly. The band of the City Artillery was in attendance, and performed some appropriate music.”

THE 16 HOURS’ PROFESSIONAL RACE
Aberdeen Weekly Journal (Scotland) Monday, 14-Jul-1884