The 1893 Los Angeles - Santa Monica Road Race: Whirlwind

"Of all the various out-of-door amusements and pastimes which have sprung up in the last few years to relieve the monotony of young America's daily scramble for riches, none have proved themselves to be as permanent a blessing as has the bicycle... Ever since the bicycle has become so popular with all classes all over the country, has the interest in trials of speed and endurance been greatly on the increase."

Such is how the reporter for the Los Angeles Herald chose to lead-in his preview of the Los Angeles Wheelman's July 4th 1893 road race between Los Angeles and Santa Monica. The race would, once again, see the number or riders entered double from the previous year, and would follow the same course starting from the corner of Hill and Second Streets, downtown. While most riders came from the local, greater Los Angeles region, others came from further away, including Santa Barbara to the north, and San Diego to the south.

The first racer off, Paul Flammer, left the start line eleven minutes before the scratch men departed. Those scratch men for the 1893 race were D. L. Shrode, C. Shoemaker, Phil Kitchen, and H. B. Cromwell, the defending champion. In between the first and last starters came a number of men with a good familiarity of the course due to their participation in the first two editions. These included: Fay Stephenson at 5 minutes, W. E. Tyler at 4 minutes, C. A. Cowan, who finished third in 1892 and would start at 2 minutes before scratch, W. E. Gatensbury and W. M. Jenkins at 1-1/2 minutes, and P. L. Abel at 1 minute before scratch.

Beside widespread speculation about who might win, there was also much discussion about whether the race could be run in less than one hour - the previous year saw fifteen minutes cut from the time of the inaugural race, to one hour, two minutes, twenty-two seconds.

As it turned out, the record was "smashed to pieces."

"Step forward ladies and gentleman, good people all, and learn of the downfall of the men with the sure things, the relegation of the straight tip to obscurity and the total annihilation of the favorites in the road race to Santa Monica..." As was becoming the norm for the race there was a great press of spectators at the start, a mass that required the police to keep clear a way through for the racers. A bit of good natured heckling took place as Flammer took off like a bolt - "if he keeps that up he'll win sure." His start was far from unusual though as, encouraged by the crowd, most of the racers gave a fast start. At 9:00am the scratch men got underway, joined by Abel and W. A. Burke, both of whom decided to give up their one minute start, and the race for everyone was on.

The usual rush for the train ensued, though there were far more spectators wishing to board than there were seats available, so that many had to make due with sitting atop the locomotive, and even in the coal car. During the twenty-seven minute rush to Santa Monica those aboard the train passed and cheered on the scratch men and several others, but most of the racers were not seen until the finish. The same press of spectators at the end of the course left only a six foot gap for the sprint to thread through.

The first racer to come into view was the Riverside man, H. E. McCrea, who started at five minutes, and rode easily to the line, yelling "Hurrah for Riverside." A few moments later Macy Thompson and C. Washburne sprinted in for 2nd and 3rd. A few more riders came in before a small gap. When the next rider came into view, the form and riding style was easily recognized as Jenkins, who crossed the tape in, what turned out to be, the fastest time of the day - 58 minutes 19 4/5 seconds. Twelve more racers came in before the scratch men, the favorites, came into view.

To a man "the riders that came in presented a laughable appearance. All were dirty, but some were actually black. The dust covered their faces, was in their hair, was on their clothes and enveloped them generally." The route along the "boulevard" was described at the time as made up of "hills, sand and sandy hills." It did not take much to kick up a dusty cloud which coated everything.

Before the race, and though he had performed well previously, not much thought had been given to Jenkins, and even less to McCrea. However, once again, Jenkins proved his worth with tenacity and determination, affirming his standing as one of the best of the local riders. What made his ride even more impressive this year, Jenkins broke the saddle of his Keating bicycle just before reaching the Palms, riding the remainder of the race on his pedals and handlebars. "Jenkins, Holbrook and Standifer did the hardest riding. Jenkins set the pace from the start. He passed the two-minute men at Pico and Hills streets, and caught the three-minute men near the college on Pico street. The other men were passed at intervals until the hill beyond Rosedale cemetery was reached where Jenkins fell, Holbrook going ahead. Jenkins finally caught him and the two were together until crossing the railroad a mile or so from Santa Monica, when Holbrook fell, Jenkins keeping on and crossing the tape safely." While Jenkins must have been considered a dark horse for the win, McCrea was a near complete unknown who rode most of the race on his own, unable to find anyone willing to race with him. 

And the scratch men, those who were expected to win? What about them? Why were they so far behind? Apparently, they fell victim to a timeless cause - each was afraid of the others, each refusing to set the pace while the others sat behind and waited.

For the fastest time, Jenkins won a Pacific safety bicycle, donated by the Tufts-Lyon Co. and F. E. Olds. As first across the line McCrea won a Sterling safety bicycle donated by the Russell Manufacturing Co. For his efforts, and as the last man in, S. G. Lapham won the burro named Whirlwind.