Re: [CR]CIRQUE CHALLENGE !

(Example: Humor:John Pergolizzi)

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From: "Mark Fulton" <markfulton5@mac.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]CIRQUE CHALLENGE !
Date: Fri, 11 May 2007 14:14:40 -0700
To: cantiflex@aol.com
cc: CLASSICRENDEZVOUS@BIKELIST.ORG

Wow, that brings back memories. In the late 1940s and 1950s, in Columbus, Ohio the Franklin Bicycle Club held off-season roller races

in various businesses, mostly car dealerships. Two modified rollers would be set up side by side, each with a cable drive\u2014think speedometer cable\u2014connected to a large circular, clock-like display

with two differently colored swept "hands." Each hand represented a cyclist. Before the start of each race, the hands would be fixed at top center of the clock. At the sound of the starter's pistol, the hands would be released and the timed "pursuit" race would begin. The

winner would be determined by the position of hands at the end of the

race when the hands would again be frozen in position. And yes, as in

a track pursuit race, it was possible to "catch" your rival and win before the time elapsed. Great fun for us racers and real entertainment for the spectators who were mostly family and friends and others who just wandered in off the street. The "clock" was visible to both competitors and to the spectators who would cheer on their favorites. The competitions were single-elimination preliminary

races with winners facing winners until a final round "champion" was crowned. Bowling-style trophies with little board track racer figurines on the top were awarded the top three. The rollers were three barreled with the front barrel driven by a rubber belt to allow

adjustments for bicycle wheel base. The driven front barrel was important to provide front wheel gyroscopic action to help keep the racers balanced in the heat of action. If you've ever sat down on a spinning roller barrel, you know why this is critical. Hey, I didn't say all of the memories were pleasant.

Mark Fulton
AKA "Scarbutt"
Redwood City, California USA