Fast Digs: Half Back

 So, you've got this nice, brand new, state of the art bicycle racing track - how do you entice all the local bicyclists, racers and non-racers alike to come out and give it a try, give the cheering spectators their own money's worth and hook 'em all on the game. How's this as an enticement to race a bicycle? Anyone who pre-registers and takes the start will get half their entry fee back.

That is what happened during the first Field Day of the Los Angeles Athletic Club at their newly opened grounds and track (Los Angeles Athletic Park) in 1891. Riders who paid their one-dollar fee, received fifty-cents back  for showing up and racing. I suppose there was something to be said for the gold and silver medals too, but half-price entry fee ain't a bad thing for the pack fodder either.

The crowd at Athletic Park - I don't believe the folks in the grandstand got half their admission fee back, but they made their best effort at cheering anyway.