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“The first six-day professional bicycle contest (12 hours a day) which has taken place in the city was begun yesterday forenoon in the Burnbank Drill Hall. So great was the interest in the meeting that during the day the spectators were constantly coming and going, while in the evening the hall was well filled. The chief attraction, the appearance of Mr John Keen, of Surbiton, champion 50 miles bicyclist of the world, was reserved for the latter part of the day. He came first on the track about five o’clock, and in one hour had covered 16 miles 4 laps. Though the pace was not fast, the easy, graceful style in which he passed all his opponents whenever he made an effort showed him to be a master of the art. His style was also superior, as he sits erect in the saddle, and never appears strained when making a spurt. In the competition for the 12 hours amateur contest Mr A. G. Rennie, of the Royal Scottish Bicycle Club, for which different prizes are offered, was the entrant for the first day, and deserves a word of encouragement for the plucky style in which he followed the English “cracks”, and covered 188 miles without dismounting, except for the purpose of tightening his machine. The prize for amateurs for greatest distance in twelve hours, one to compete each day are - First, silver cup, value 15 guineas; second, gold medal; third, silver medal. For professional contest - A belt, value £25, and £50 in cash (winner to be champion of Scotland); second, £20; third, £15; fourth £10. Non-winners to receive expenses. Entrants - H. Higham, of Nottingham (six days’ champion of the Midlands); Walter Phillips, A. Bills, and R. Patrick, Wolverhampton; J. Nicholls and H. Daniels, Leicester; and T. Andrews, Birmingham. A splendid track, the whole extent of the building, and as smooth as glass, was railed off, room for the spectators being in the centre of the hall. Promptly at the hour, eleven o’clock, the men were despatched to the exhilarating strains of a brass band. Higham was the first to show in front, closely followed by Phillips and Andrews, the premier mile being covered by the leader in 3min. 30sec. At the end of the first hour the three rivals were close together, Highham’s score being 18 miles 6 laps; Andrews, 18 miles 5 laps; and Phillips, 17 miles 8 laps. To show how keen the contest was for the first 40 miles, Higham finished at six minutes past one, Andrews, Bills, Rennie, Nicholls, in the order named, and Phillips last at 25 minutes past one. Daniels was off the track a long time; and Bills and Phillips had also been resting. Higham completed his first century at 47 minutes past four, Rennie next at four minutes past five and Andrews third at eight minutes past five. The contest, at least for the first day, was now narrowed down to these three pioneers. Neither of the professionals had left the track longer than a few minutes; while Rennie, the amateur, had only twice dismounted from the saddle. Though this severe struggle must have greatly exhausted the wearied bodies of these riders, Keen’s appearance on the track seemed to inspire them with fresh energy. Lap after lap they followed him like a shadow, and it required a strong effort on his part to shake them off. In one of these spurts, while turning a corner rapidly, Keen fell and left the track for the day. Patrick came to ..”
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“.. grief shortly afterwards, but resumed the saddle in a few minutes, apparently little the worse of the mishap. About a quarter past ten, when it became known among the audience that Rennie had beaten the fastest amateur record time, the performance of J. A. Mackenzie in Edinburgh, of ??? miles four laps, and had 47 minutes still to spare, the spectators repeatedly cheered him as he passed round the circle. Before the evening closed, it was announced that he had also beaten the amateur English record of 183 miles. The finals scores at eleven last night were:- Higham ??? miles; Andrews, 188 miles 9 laps; Rennie ??? miles 2 laps; Phillips, 131 miles[?] 1 lap; Patrick, 132 miles 4 laps; Bills, 130 miles 3 laps; Nicholls, 122 miles 5 laps; Daniels, 100 miles.”
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