CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 91, 17 April 1935, Page 21

CYCLING.

WITH THE AMATEURS. MANUKAU CLUB. FIXTURES. Faster Tour to Taumaruuul. April 27.—Start of Road Season. May 4.—Centre's Open Race of 22 Miles. June U.—Northern 52-Miler. The Easter holiday meetings at Cambridge, Ngaruawahia, Ngahinerjoun, WarfcWorth, Largaville and riowicic will mark the close 01 the track season. With the road season so near the country meetings will not be so well supported by city riders on this occasion, but revival of cycling sport in the country districts will nclp to keep the lieids as big as ever. The tour to Taumarunui promises to be well supported. Ivan Reid, Cyril Cronk, Gordon Cunningham, Bob Gallagher, Tom Kiddel 1 and Bill Morris have signified their intention of making the trip, while there are certain to be several who will make one of those last-minute resolutions. The party will leave the Harp of Erin at 6.30 a.m. on Friday. They intend to take two days on the downward run, and leave for the return on Sunday morning. If the present weather continues then the sun worshippers of the party should l eally enjoy the tour. On the Saturday after Faster, April 27, the road season will commence. The junior race starts at 2 p.m., and all new members should lie at the venue at 1.45 p.m. The entries for 'he first centre race on May 4 close on the same date, and as the entry forms demand the last six performances riders will have to search through their records to ensure completed forms. Nine members patronised the Waiwera run last Sunday, under the able captaincv of Bill Morris. Faulty chain adjustment caused quite a lot of trouble to Jack Clark, whose chain unshipped on the descent of the notorious Waiwera Hill. Apart from a badly bent frame and abrasions Jack had nothing much to worry about, for a passing motorist, realising the extent of the mishap, gave him a lift into Devonport. Len Beuth will take more attention with his equipment, too, after the ride last Sunday. He was descending the Birkenhead Hill when his knapsack became tangled in the spokes of the front wheel. Len tumbled heavily. A few lessons so early in the road season are worth more than hours of advice. A cycle is a very simple piece of mechanism, and there is no reason, but pure carelessness, for most of the mishaps which do occur. The next run is to Helensville, and the route of the next centre race, which follows a detour to avoid Lincoln Road, will be used. This detour will have to be used in all the longer northern races, but offers a good surface and an easier grade than the Swanson tunnel hill. GLOUCESTER CLUB. FIXTURES. April 20—22 Miles Senior, oi Miles Junior. The Gloucester Cvcling Club's first road racing events were decided in rather windy conditions that slowed up the times and made hard riding. After the president; Mr. G. Hedlund, and vice-patron, Mr Rickards, had given short speeches, Mrs. Hedlund cut the club colours that were stretched across the road, and the season was declared open. There was a large attendance of members, parents and friends, and also members of several other clubs present at the start of the races. The juniors were sept over a distance of five miles, and the first man 1» me was Alan Kerr (3.30). After riding a few good track races he concentrated on the road, and won his first race. With more experience and training he should go a long way in the A. Golf (2.30), another new rider, was having his first race with the club, and after having an unpaced ride, finished in second place. Jack Bicknell (1.45), third, has been absent from competition for about two months owing to a bad spill, but it seems that the rest has done him good. It should not take long for him to get back into form. Leo. Barr (scr), the Auckland junior track champion, proved that he will also make a good road rider. After meeting with a spill he continued on, and secured fastest vime in 15.40. The seniors laced over a course of 10 Vs miles. A feature in the race was the team work of the placed men. Clarne Rae (2.30) was the winner. He surprised his team mates by jumping away near the finish and came home the winner by two lengths. His success was .well earned and overdue, for it is now three seasons since he recorded a win on the road. Jack Rose (2.30), second, a co-marker with Rae, showed good form by sharing the pace all the way, and it should not be long before he is on the winning list. Bob Craig (1.0), third, rode unpaced for about eleven miles before joining forces with Rae and Rose. This rider goes better in longer distances and excels in unpaced riding. More should be heard of him in the near future. Percy Bicknell (scr) clocked fastest time in 50.30, finishing just behind the leaders in fourth place. This rider has proved himself on numerous occasions as being equally as good on the road or track, and all members wish him success at the Easter meetings. When the riders had finished, afternoon tea, provided by the president and his wife, was enjoyed by everyone. The club wishes to thank the ladies who gave thenassistance in helping with the tea, and also Mr. Henry Rae. LYNNDALE AMATEURS. FIXTURES. April 20.—Week-end Run to Hamilton. April 27.—Opening of Koad Season.

I The Lynndale cyclists held another successful club run lust Sunday. This time I Helensville was the destination, aud, everyone spent a most enjoyable day. I As the club's first races of the season ■ are on April 27, members are seriously training for the opening dirj Ihe seniors will compete over the Tituangi circuit, which will be traversed five times, whilst ' the juniors have a shorter race o£ nine "'i'es. , • , | It must be remembered that there are points awarded for every start, so it will pay riders to enter in the first race quite as' much as leaving it till later, as very often that extra point may Just make all the difference between winning and losing a cup. , , c ~ I During the Easter holidays some ot the boys are visiting Cambridge to compete on the track there, whilst numerous other trips have been planned. . A general club run to Hamilton is leaving the Avondale P.O. on Saturday at 1.45, to return on Monday. TAKAPUNA CLUB. The 17-mile race held last Saturday, ' proved, owing to the arduous nature of I the course (lake-Birkenhead, and two laps 1 lake), and the strong head winds, rather hard on some of the weaker pedallei's. This course always takes its toll ot the field in punctures and spills. However, twelve riders completed the distancewithout mishap.' Of those who tell by the way R. Jones (30s) was the most, unfortunate, as he was riding strongly in the leading bunch when he collapsed with cramp- Taking into consideration the wav he outpointed the bunch the previous week he was out of luck, to say the least ° L.'Denning, living up to his reputation, was' responsible Cor the clay s most outstanding performance Rictag.from the scratch mark with Geo. Williams, he gained a slight lead from his co-marker at the head of Kauri Gully, and, riding at his best, went through the held until lie held the lead, in company with K. Eagles* whom lie held comfortably in the sprint, to claim first place by a length, with fastest time honours m 52.10. K. Kagles rode a considerably improved race, and in claiming second place and third fastest time, gained his second successive placing. He will get a mark chalked up for this, a tighter one than 2.30.

Geo Williams, scr, rode very strongly in the last lap in a vain endeavour to overhaul his co-marker. He did, however, succeed in lessening the time lost, and finished in third place just 16s off time George is another rider always doing solid work over the hills and distance. B. Oliver and V. Blomfield, who are; both slow in striking form, are starting to look better and should make a f»°; vin K in the near future. G. Gemmell (8.0), the limit rider, kept with the leading bunch until the last lap, when the pace was cracked on and proved beyond the little pedaller, who dropped back. Johnny finished the distance, the longest yet for him, which was all to the good.