CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 28, 1 February 1913, Page 16

CYCLING.

The recently established motor cycle record of 20j hours for the overland route between Sydney and Melbourne did not stand long, and was badly beaten by .1. Giinn, a native of New Zealand. Starting from Sydney at _ -o'clock on Saturday morning, he arrived at the Melbourne C.PjO. at 3.55 on Sunday morning-, the total time for the 572 mile 6 being 25 hours 55 Tnirrotes. Tbe actual time spent in the saddle was about 23 hours. Gunn left Sydney accompanied by J. Booth, another Melbourne rider, but owing to a mishap between Yass and Oundagai Ounn had to come on alone. Booth eventually fixed up his machine, and was later on checked at Albury over an hour later than (!unn. He subsequently gave up his attempt on the record. Tbe times of arrival by Gunn at the intermediate towns were: Goulbnrn (120 miles) at 7.20 a.m.. Vass (185 miles) at 9 a.m.. Gttndagai 1250 miles) at 11.10 a.m. 10 minutes ahead of schedule). Germanton (333 miles) 3.5 p.m.. Albiiry (371 miles) 4.40 p.m.. Benalla (444 miles) S.ll p.m., Seymour (500* miles) 12.20 a.m. (Sunday), finishing up at Melbourne at 3.55 a.m. The fastest average speed, including stops to pick up petrol, reirpshments. etc.. was 32 miles peT hour for the 121 miles run from Gonlburn to Gttndagai.

Up to this stage, it looked as if Gunn would win the recently offered prize of n 20-£iiinea gold watch by the Dunlop Rubber On. to the first rider to accomplish the Sydney-Melbourne trip on a motor cycle in a day, but when darkness came on. however, his troubles began. Owing to the rough and sandy nature of the road surface, where the main "highway" winds as a mere track through timber, across unbridged gullies in places, the constant use of the exhaust lever conduced to too much oil working past the piston rings, and the sparking plug repeatedly fouled. Delays from that cause aggregated well over an hour, while lump troubles and tiredness were responsible for the remainder, so that Melbourne was not gained until 1 hour 55 minutes over 24 hours. The way in which the sandy places wctc negotiated by Gunn was a revelation to those followine in the car. .Aided by powerful searchlights, every move could be noted, and. as tbe wheels -skidded in the unstable material, the motor cyclists rode the machine just as our forefathers propelled themselves on the old hobbyhorses, striking the ground with each leg alternately. But the pace was mucf» fiieter, and the rider's movements wen, rather an exhibition of trick motorcycling. During the last stage of the ride Gunn suffered severely from his wrists, which were strained through falls and the constant heavy vibration, but pluckily sticking to his task, he eventually succeeded in cutting the handsome margin of 3 hours 55 minutes off the previous best time. He is 23 years of age, and a native of New Zealand.