An Autobiography of an Ancient Athlete & Antiquarian

AUTOBIOGRAPHY On the 18th I went with Macfarlane to my old opponent, Tom Griffith's funeral at Lower Tooting Ceme– tery. He was the son of an Essex parson, and died aged 54. A very game walker and fair when he liked, but most unscrupulous in his methods. His alleged feat of 21 miles in three hours is absolutely absurd, for he is supposed to have covered his middle 7 miles, faster than he ever walked seven miles and stop. May 22nd to 26th we were at Norwich, sailing in "Alma," which had at last been completed. Baldry and Capt. Blake came to St. Olaves. I had a nasty attack of sciatica or rheumatism, and went on to Beccles. Spoke to old Peter Youngs, I think for the last time. On 29th. very sharp rheumatism and had to be lle]ped into cab at Finchley Road Station. On June 8th, having heard from M.S.R. that my sister Bessy was very bad, went to H .H. and found her better than ever ! She is still going strong, twenty years later ! On the 13th, Roger came over from America; and on the 15th to 17th I tried a new safety bike and rode up Bishop's Avenne. On 19th, having been consulted by Kennett as to the boundary of the City of Norwich, I was there again and found that E.B.G. had been dangerously ill with pleurisy. On 27th, the Thames Tent was again a success at the L . A .C. meeting. I was trying a safety bike about this time ::i.nd rode up Barnet Hill, but punctured at Stanmore and bad to come home in a pony cart ; Mrs. Ripley to lunch. On 7th, my wife heard of death of her sister in Mel– bourne, and Gilly had pneumonia . By the middle of the month I reverted to the trike, and on the 12th had a good ride round by Ewell, Epsom and Carshalton, Greyhound, doing nearly 38 miles; and got some speed up again, for I rode to the Hale in 52, and back by the Edgware Road in 45, very well and comfortably. From the 18th to 20th, D.M R. and I went to Selborne, but it was very hot indeed. On the 21st still most hot, rode out to Abercorn Arms, Stanmore, in evening. Molesey Regatta was on the 25th, and went with G.E.R. in Butterworth's boat, " The J abnebrune,'' chiefly foreigners, Mr. Shearman, Wylie, &c. My new trike came home on the 29th. It weighed only 38lbs., and I promptly upset it. I bad a pleasant run on 31st to Great Marlow; launch up to Medmenbam Abbey, and noticed