Six Day cycle racing started in 1891 at Madison Square Gardens New York. Until 1898 it was a singles event. Riders all on their own no team mates to help. They rode as long as they could, stop and rest, grab some sleep but virtually on the go for the whole 6 days. This event was considered inhuman my the New york City Fathers and they decreed that no rider could ride more than 12 hours in 24 hour period. This was the start of team racing. The highest prize money paid in an American 6 day was $20000 to Franco Giorgetti after he won his seventh New york six. Franco was no relation to Alvaro Giorgetti who was born in Italy but later changed his nationality to French. Alvaro won in New York in 1948 and again in 49. In Europe out of deference to the American first six day we call the chases "Madison's". Think you call them "Jams" Stateside. Will probably get my knuckles rapped by Dale for being off topic but you started Six Day racing all those years ago. Good books to read are Six Days of Madness by Ted Harper and Hearts of Lions by Peter Nye which cover the American scene both published on your side of the pond. Would love a nice hardback edition of the Peter Nye book? Best wishes and be lucky. Michael Butler Huntingdon UK.
>From: WesOishi@aol.com
>To: pariscyclesuk@hotmail.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>Subject: Re: [CR] Americans who rode over here (Europe)
>Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 16:57:05 EDT
>
>With the new ADT Center Velodrome about to open in the L.A. area, there is
>renewed interest in track racing (I hope). Roger Young is in charge of the
>program, and they are opening the track this June 23rd, for juniors to
>practice, in
>anticipation of USA Jr Nationals.
>
>Anyway, the on topic question is, what was a "six day", back in the
>beginning? Did they race for six days, non-stop?
>
>How is it done today?
>
>Wes Oishi
>Los Angeles