CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 36, 10 February 1906, Page 12

CYCLING.

_______ Latest news eun_emiug Mr. Emile Boekeart is to the effect that bis health has snghfJy improved. He is etui at Rotorua. Motoring in ;6p-top style is apt to become fairly expens-vc A Christehureh resident, who lias one of the best turnouts, and gives it ample use, finds his expenses, including chaffeur's wages, run into £15 a week. Lawson (says a Sydney exchange), is disusgted with the amount that he has been offered as appearance money •this season, and it is understood he intends returning to America this week. The American is not as big a draw as he imagines he is, although he is undoubtedly the best rider in Australia. Wood rims and light tyres are gaining rapidly in popularity ljsays an English paper), and to the speed mercbant and fast road-rider they strongly appeal, for, given the rest of the machine lightly and equitably built in proportion, light tyres and rims mean increased speed, and the wise agent will do well to cater for this class of trade, which is in the ascendant. The growing demand for changeable gears on bicycles is strikingly illustrated by the statistics of the English cycle shows since 1900, when these devices were first exhibited. In that year there were only seven machines ' fitted with the adjunct; in 1901 there were 14; in 1902, the total was 20; in 1903 .the number rose to 47; in 1904 there was a big advance, no less than 128 being exhibited, while at last year's Stanley show every cycle manufacturer had one or more kinds embodied in his standard models, which had the result of bring- ■ ; ing the record up to 218. After a visit to the recent English shows, a writer in the "Cycle and' I Motor Trades Review" thus summarises features for .the 1906 cycle trade:— No reduction in price, but increased value in finish, details and fitments. Light feather-weight cycles in all higher grades. A tendency to give better terms to agents, while maintaining the 1905 list prices. The popularity of variable or two or three-speed gears. Roller lever brakes, coaster and combination hubs. Increased manufacture of tricycles, and improvements in same. Steady rise in the popularity of wood rims in combination with light tyres of the racing or Constrictor variety. Novelties in accessories, particularly in connection with the repair of tyres, vulcanising, etc; also pedals, gear-cases, and other parts and fittings. Good value in the cheap machines of the lesser firms of repute. The revival or resuscitation of defunct cycle firms: Mr F. C. Chapman, musical director to Stephenson's Comedy Company, was one of the most prominent cyclists in England a few years ago. He commenced racing in 1891, and when he retired from the track in 1898, had won prizes to the value of between £500 and £600. He was successful at Heme Hill Grounds in a one mile invitation scratch race, and competed at Antwerp in the International Cycling Championship—J. Michael, the famous "pace follower," being also one of the English representatives. On the occasion of his last appearance on the track he defeated the one mile open champion for the one mile championship of the West of England. There will he no "Gordon-Bennett" automobile race next year, a meeting of clubs interested having decided, at a meeting held in Paris on Monday, to let the big contest collapse for that year, and to meet next June, to decide as to having a race in 1907, or letting it drop altogether.