Fast Digs: Anakin of Long Beach

No, not that Anakin.

 From all appearances, the city of Long Beach was experiencing a kind of bicycling renaissance in the 1920s. Races took place along the city's streets, frequently on a monthly basis with multiple bicycle shops catering to a growing corps of riders. A primary driver of those golden years was the cycle and sporting goods shop of Mr. A. E. Anakin. Anakin, a former champion racer, competing against the great Frank Kramer and others of that generation, opened his shop in 1921 after managing a "large wholesale sporting goods in Los Angeles." Sixteen years earlier, Anakin had encouraged a young messenger lad by the name of Albert Crebs to give racing a try; that boy would soon enough become World Champion in the quarter-mile and one-eighth mile distances. In the 1920s both Anakin and Crebs sponsored cycling clubs based in Long Beach, with the Anakin Club itself enrolling over seven hundred member riders - yes, you read that right, over 700 members!

The Anakin and Crebs Cycle Clubs, and the Long Beach bicycle renaissance of the 1920's are among the bits of bicycle racing history you will find in Fast Digs Vol 2 to be released this year. Volume 1, covering the earliest years of racing in the greater Los Angeles region (1880-1899) is available for purchase here.