CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 76, 28 March 1908, Page 14

CYCLING.

The latest improvement in cycles is the celluloid covering of handle bars, cranks, hubs, and even pedal pins of some of the latest designs; but 1 would go one better (says an English writer), and have the rims covered with the same material.

"Pedlar" W. Palmer, of Victoria, is going to try his luck on the American track again. He left Sydney on Monday for Salt Lake City.

Commenting on E. A. Pearson's record ride of 57 hours 24mins from Sydney to Melbourne, a distance of 577 miles, the "Referee" says that the previous best record between the irwo capitals was 73 hours 31mins, established from Melbourne to Sydney by J. Salvaiia. This was lowered by 16 hours 7mins, while the best time for the course from Sydney to Melbourne has been cut down by 32 hours 42mins. The time alone will stand, as the rider will want to have every advantage in his favour to lower these figures. Pearson, although he had rather bad luck owing to the rain, had a great deal of good luck. He had no bicycle troubles and no tyre troubles; in fact, hesays he never used a spanner or pump, "and, notwithstanding he was trying practically a new device on these roads for record work, that is, Triplex Gear, with variations of 56, 74, and 96, he did not have any worry from the device. Furthermore, although he had the rain from Picton to Goulbourn, and farther on during the night, he had this advantage that the rain was, if anything, more in his favour than a strong head wind, which is generally the bane of the cyclist in that direction. Although he arrived at Seymour well ahead of his time, aud finished in Melbourne 2h 36m ahead of the schedule which he mapped out, he had a very heavy ride on wet roads, but notwithstanding this fact he managed to put the last hundred miles behind him in nine and threequairter hours. Pearson finished very strong, and undoubtedly a great deal of the supcess of the ride is due to the Triplex gear ridden by him. Reports along the road state that when he changed into the high gear and had a favourable piece of road, the fastest country cyclists, on their fixed gears, could not hold him— he simply broke away from them altogether, up hills and on favourable grades. After all the conditions are considered, his ride must be looked upon as truly meritorious, and will be a fine finish if he does not do many more to a wonderful (career as a cycling road champion. Some motor cyclists who accompanied Pearson at various stages of the ride were astonished at his wonderful, pace.