Monday Blues: Birdshot

 "Ooww, dang what was that?" There was no opportunity to figure out what had caused the sudden sharp pain in his leg, the race was away and he never figured on settling for anything other than winning. The other starters might have looked around at the man who had cried out in pain, but then they too were otherwise occupied with the start of the race. George Lobaugh was a resident of Huntington Park and, like all the others lined up at the start, had travelled to the nearby Manchester Playground track to race his bicycle. It was 17 July 1927 and the races that day, held under the auspices of the Amateur Bicycle League of America, were elimination trials to determine the Southern California champions for both senior and junior riders, and the opportunity to race in San Francisco for the state championship two months hence.

The times made that day, according to accounts, were "remarkably good" given the poor condition of the track and some strong headwinds. Lobaugh was outmatched that day, the race favorites setting the fastest times to claim the honors, most notably Geary May who had won the title of Southern California Champion each of the previous three years, first as a junior racer, then as a senior.

Disappointed with his place at the finish perhaps, but now that the race was over Lobaugh was able to turn his attention back to his leg and, only now, did he notice the steam of blood flowing down the one still stabbed with pain. George Lobaugh left the races at once and made his way to Dr. Schooling's office back in his hometown. There, the good doctor discovered and removed a number of birdshot from Lobaugh's leg, dressed and bandaged the young mans' leg and sent him on his way.

I can't recall ever hearing of anyone ever being shot by the starters' gun at the beginning of a race before, but it must have made for a good story for George to tell his riding friends as they sat around the cafe tables after a long hot summer ride. "Yup, I gave it my all, and I woulda won that race too, if only the starter hadn't shot me in the leg."

The Monday Blues has been an occasional feature here at the blog since inception; the blues, an emotion, a color, a genre of music, with a cycling twist.