The 1899 Los Angeles to Santa Monica Road Race
A short one this time, perhaps due to the rather disappointing turnout the previous year, newspapers seem to have devoted only minimal effort to their coverage of the 1899 race. However, rather than continuing decline, the race experienced a rather dramatic bounce back in popularity. By the eve of the 1899 race, the organizers, now identified under the banner of the Associated Cycling Clubs (representing the Wanderers, the Obcrons, and the Eastside Club), had recommitted to the duties required for a successful race. This was reflected in the number of entries received which totaled 107 racers including the five scratch men, R. C. Hamlin, H. Fowler, W. Ruess, A. C. Muff, and J. Todd. The race would take place in the traditional direction, eighteen miles over the "Ballona route," (rather than via Palms) starting at Sixth and San Pedro with the finish on Ocean View Avenue. The road, which was described as being in "first-class shape," never-the-less took its usual toll on the riders; two riders where knocked out of the race, with bent wheels before they had made it out of the heart of the city, after colliding with a third rider, who was able to continue on.
"The streets at Santa Monica for half a dozen blocks were lined with thousands of spectators" awaiting the arrival of the race. At one point street cars were allowed onto the course by mistake, blocking it just as a group came in; "several riders were thrown together and piled in a heap. A. L. West being pretty severely cut about the head and body."
W. Phillips, who started with an eight minute handicap, was the first to cross the line, having completed the course in a time of 54:20. B. R. Stanfield, with a six minute thirty second handicap, arrived second in 53:10, and P. M. Aguayo, also with an eight minute headstart, came third in 54:46.
The first of the scratch men in was A. C. Muff, coming in 42nd with the fastest time of the day at 52:04. Three of the scratch starters, in fact, came in within a single second of each other - R. C. Hamlin at 52:04 1/5, and H. Fowler at 52:04 2/5; quite a finish.
Santa Monica, yes, but not 1899
"The streets at Santa Monica for half a dozen blocks were lined with thousands of spectators" awaiting the arrival of the race. At one point street cars were allowed onto the course by mistake, blocking it just as a group came in; "several riders were thrown together and piled in a heap. A. L. West being pretty severely cut about the head and body."
W. Phillips, who started with an eight minute handicap, was the first to cross the line, having completed the course in a time of 54:20. B. R. Stanfield, with a six minute thirty second handicap, arrived second in 53:10, and P. M. Aguayo, also with an eight minute headstart, came third in 54:46.
The first of the scratch men in was A. C. Muff, coming in 42nd with the fastest time of the day at 52:04. Three of the scratch starters, in fact, came in within a single second of each other - R. C. Hamlin at 52:04 1/5, and H. Fowler at 52:04 2/5; quite a finish.
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