CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 68, 21 March 1934, Page 15

CYCLING.

WITH THE AMATEURS.

MANUKAU CLUB. , FIXTURES. Saturday, March 24.—Sports, Domain, 2 11.111. Huuua..', March 25.—Run tu Brown's Bay, JU U.ill. J I'll j . Sai.uri.uj, 7. —East Tar.:u..i Uporls. IJuite a number ot the Manukau Club riclfcib are now "spelling on ' in j.i eparation lor the road-season, wiiien wni commence in a month s tune, a lact winch would account lor the lew who raced at tne W'estarn Springs Stadium last Saturday. lhe middle and front markers held sway on Saturday tor one of the lew occasions tnat they have been able to do so this season. J. U. Morris, well known ankler and club captain, won the half-mile off Soyds, in the slick time ot 58 2-yS. "Bill" is a neity rider, and, at times, can produce a real good sprint. His track successes have been few considering that he lias raced on every possible occasion. However, he should go much better on the roacl, for he is of the plugger and tireless type. Now and again Geo. P. Clark shows real brilliance, and last Saturday was such an occasion. George won the tvvo-miler off 130 yds, after an all-out effort with (Jlias. 'i'. Dwight, the junior club sprint champion. It was a bunched finish, and there was only the difference of a wheel between the two ridera at the line.

lioy T. Taylor went up to Papatoetoe and raced iu a five-miler at tlie local banked asphalt track last Tuesday. He won the event off 55yds in 12.24 2-5. Taylor is a solid rider, and has huge legs, but has not, as yet., cultivated a steady -enough style, by which he can utilise his power to success. Under the able leadership o" Frank J. Casey, and his small band oil workers, the club's picnic to Muriwai last Sunday proved a most enjoyable outing. Seven large buses were necessary. The day was fine, the surf good and strong, while the treasure hunt was both amusing and entertaining. The races on the sand drew big fields. Jack W. Clark won the 100 yds championship, while his father won the men's scratch race. The distance event .from the aeroplonc down to the rocks,nearly half a mile, was a great race between Arthur Dwight and Sel. Webster. Arthur drew away over the last chain to win by five yards. _ . , Splendid trophies are being offered at the East Tamaki sports this year, and with the "bob an event" entry fee good fields are assured for this popular meeting on the local ground. It will mark the close of the track season, for on the following Saturday the road season will open. Leu Chambers, 1006 winner of the Cotter Cup, passed through Auckland last week. Len. has been over in East Atrica for several years, and, after a brief stay in the Dominion, will return. In that same cup race Ernie Andrews, who is now in Australia, wa6 second, while Mai. Byrnes was the fastest rider in 48.40 for the 17 miles. , Cyril Cronk left on Saturday for an extended tour of the North Island. He means to cycle through the King Country to Taihape, then across the hills to Napier, and foilow the East Coast rot*te through Gisborne and over the Motu Hills back. Frank Casey loaned him a Cyclo two-speed gear so he would not find any difficulties in the way of gradients, of which he will find many. Last Easter a tour of the north was made by six club members, and thoroughly enjoyed. Another tour is being arranged for this Easter, and the suggested route ie to Te Kuiti and through, via the coastal route, to Kawhia and JRaglan, and back via Hamilton. The route mentioned js only a suggestion, and, in the event of bad weather would be impracticable, as clay surfaces abound. Further suggestions before next week will be entertained by the touring committee. . Writing from "Aussie,' Ernie Andrews, who went over last January, mentions that long road events over there are the most popular, and strongly advises clubs here to include one long race each month. This is a matter that the centre, which controls all clubs, and Jaat season rail an open event on the first Saturday of each month successfully, could take in hand. Itaces of 35 miles and upwards are suggested. It is interesting to record here | that the record entry of 67 riders was received for a 4-4-mile road race, proving fairly conclusively that long races are , popular witli riders here too. _ There promises to be a big scratch bunch this I vear, with Los. Dwight, John Brown, I Gordon Patrick and Henry Dwight, while Jim Leather may qualify also for the . mark of honour. Of the six centre open ' events run last year Manukau riders I secured 13 placing*, of the possible 18, ' while in four of the six events a Manu- : kau rider registered fastest time. lo , uphold their fine reputation riders will r require to get down to serious tiaining right after Easter. Club-captain Morris means to promote runs with the purpose of fitting riders for the distance races, and. also intends to start the night schools" on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

AUCKLAND AMATEUR CLUB. With only one scratch rider starting in the St. Patrick's Day sports at the Stadium on Saturday, the cycling was certainly robbed o£ some of its interest, though the back and middle markers, taking advantage of this fact, provided 6ome interesting racing. The events contested were the half, one and two-miles, and in addition to major placinga in the heats the Auckland Amateurs were. represented among the place getters m the finals of all three events. With the exception of a fairly strong wind across the southern end of the track weather conditions were ideal. „ , M T Gamble, who has been steadily reducing his handicap throughout the season, gained second place in the haltmile, and third in the one-mile handicap. His placinge in the. qualifying heats for these events were third and second respectively. With less than six months of racing experience he is certainly doing well, ana his performances on the road in the near future will be watched with interest. Kov Arvidson finishd third in the twomile handicap off 130 yds. He was prominent throughout the race, and m a spirited finish just failed by a wheel to lead the other riders over the line. Though admittedly a much better performer on the road than on the track, Roy has not shown up as prominently as was expected of him, by reason of his very successful road season last year, when he started off the scratch mark in open company. K Linn, one of the club s most enthusiastic and capable leaders, has been steadilv improving of late, and though at present lacking that final dash so necessary to hold off a fast finishing bunch of riders, has the ability to maintain his pace right to the finish, and give the bankmarkera a very hard chase. He won the first heat of the half-mile on Saturday, and should be due. for a win in the finals anv time now. ~ In the first heat of the one mile handicap. A. J. S. Richardson rode right away from the bunch half-way through the last lap, and established a lead that left doubt as to his ability, and put the issue bevond doubt. He was watched too carefully in the final, however, and was unable to repeat his previous runaway victory. It is very pleasing to see a rider who commenced bis racing career with such promise, continue to fulfill previous expectations in such a convincing manner, and Alan has already proved himself a rider of merit. The club's 1934 road season will open on Saturday, April 14, with an eight miles and a half handicap over one lap of the Te Atatu circuit, and another race over the same distance for riders who have never participated m a road race before, : should be the means of initiating quite a : number of tyros to the sport. The season s : programme will include a junior cham- ■ pionship, unpaced time trials, and Con- : tinental handicaps over the club circuit • while the usual 45-mile harbour race, and ' i another event over a course extending : from Henderson to Kumeu and return will 1 also toe decided.