CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 138, 12 June 1936, Page 16

CYCLING.

WITH THE AMATEURS,. LYKNDALE CLUB. On Saturday last the Lynndale Club was represented by 20 riders in the junior and senior races conducted by the centre, the most successful being Graham Hughes, who was second fastest senior, being 14s slower than the fastest. At present Graham is probably the fittest member in the club. It was only over the latter stages that he was dropped by his co-markers, after riding a good race. Harry Davics was fifth junior. He, like all the other juniors, found the race very fast, but all acquitted themselves very well. A large number of Lynndale riders were hopelessly out of their class in the handicaps, but the new handicapper Will probably adjust these at the next centre races. Cochrane, of the Papatoetoe Club, broke the record for the Kumeu race, but his time is not as good as C. R. Gooder's 111 39m 28s of last year. This year the race was a mile shorter, due to the new bitumen road being put through at Kumeu, cutting out a large right-angle turn. Cochrane's time was 2.25 better than last year's time. Gooder in this race took lh 41m 58s, this being done on two weeks' training—so he is far from fit yet. On Saturday the Lynndale Club will be competing against the Takapuna Club on the latter s circuit at Takapuna. Lynndale members will catch the 1.20 vehicular ferry, and all should take their lamps, as it has always been dark when they have arrived back in the city. The club will resume racing on their own circuit at New Lynn on June 20. when 13%-mile (three la))) senior and 4Msinile (one lap) junior races will be held. Members are reminded that the entries for the Takapuna 50-miler on King's Birthday, .June 23. close on Saturday, and seeing that the club will be over there that day, it is an ideal opportunity for them to give their entry forms to Mr. Mayo, secretary of the Takapuna L'lub.

MANUKAU CLUB. The Manukau Club had the biggest representation in the Auckland Centre's road events last Saturday. Thirty-nine members entered. The first club man to finish was Ted G. Mynott, who just recently graduated from the junior ranks, where he was . outstanding. Mynott started off with a good working bunch of ten riders and did his sharS of the pacing. It was his first distance race and lie displayed fine stamina and a strong finish. Dave W. Lawson tried to break away from the eight leaders with three miles to go, but, as is generally the case, was unable to hold the advantage he gained. However, when recaught he kept ill the bunch and finished fifth. Alan Stonex was another beginner who displayed rare abilities, while Harry Bull was one of tue most unfortunate. Bull broke away from the leaders with half a mile to go. but overshot the Carrington Road turn. Wit!) his 10.30 start he was expected to be prominent and might have won but for his error. The fastest of the Manukau men was Tom Riddell, but he was completely outclassed by Chas. Cochrane, who used a speedometer. Riddell clocked 99.45, while Keith Clark was conspicuous again with 100.35 and along with Lionel Nicholson, 102.0, helped the club to win the first contest for the teams shield. Cyril Cronk further enhanced his reputation, which lie is rapidly building, but clocking 102.9. The best of the juniors was Ray Chappell with a time for the 13 miles of 35.34. Chappell outdistanced the scratch bunch and qualified definitely for the mark to which he is not a complete stranger. Jim Walker was the first home according to the officials, who had ta-disqualify Brennan for motor pacing. Geo. Grigg foolishly removed his hands from the bars on finishing and rightly earned disqualification.

Next Saturday botli the juniors auJ seniors will race over six laps—ls miles. Riders are also reminded that entries close next Saturday for the Takapuna Club's big race of 52 miles scheduled for the King's Birthday, June 23. Members not familiar with the course will be given an opportunity to go over it next Sunday, for Club Captain Cyril Cronk has arranged a run. The route of the race is a difficult one and a good knowledge of it ;s essential.

How that the longer races have arrived riders should carry repair outfits and tools, while those carrying feed bags are advised not to cover their numbers with same. Cyril Cronk wore his number on his feed bag last Saturday and it was readily distinguishable. In Australia road riders make a practice of placing their numbers on the feed bag.

BEACH HAVEN CLUB.® The open races conducted by the Auckland Centre last Saturday proved very successful for the Beach Haven Amateur Cycling Club. Though not represented in the junior event, the first two placings in the 35 miles senior race went to Beach Haven. Five riders took part. Two of the best riders of the club, Dave Patten (and Andy Elia, both off 7.0, rode an excellent race, and with several miles to go were in the leading bunch. On entering the straight Andy flashed forward with the surprising sprint which has served him well many times and crossed the line Is before Patten, who has not yet developed a fast sprint. Andy's time was 102.5(5. Both riders had a second placing in last year's centre races. They should be prominent in the Orewa Beach race on June 23. For a young club a good record is held by the riders. Since its commencement of racing in 1934 members have secured two wins, three seconds, a third and two fourths. Numerous minor placings have also been gained. The next club race will be for the French Cup, presented for annual competition by the French brothers, of Ea3t Tamaki. As before, the race will be over six laps of the Birkdale circuit, a distance of 24 miles. The record for the course is 69.0, held by Andy Elia, and unless very favourable conditions attend it is not likely that the time will be lowered, as the circuit is extremely hilly.

The Beach Haven Amateur Cycle Club will hold a six-lap race for the French Cup to-morrow. Handicaps : —D. J. Patten, A. Elia, scr.; J. Culpan, 30s; S. Hilder, L. Elia, 2.35 ; J. Marris, 3.0 ; R. Elia, 3.13 ; Evans, 3.30; J. Perry, 5.0; L. Cooper, E. Collins, 8.15. TAKAPUNA CLUB. On the King's Birthday, June 23, the above club w;ill stage itef second race for the Great Northern Championship over a course of 52 miles. The event starts at. Devonport and thence to Orewa (via Birkenhead and Silverdale) and back to Takapuna, where it finishes. Last year the race attracted a record field of 120 men, and was voted by many enthusiasts the best organiaed road event ever held m Auckland. This year the prize list carries trophies to the value of £82, including the team's shield and medals for the club with the first four riders to finish. At present the Manukau Club are the holders of this shield and are naturally keen to retain it. It is, however, expected that the other clubs will make every endeavour to lift it from Manukau. The race will start at 11 a.m., and all riders must report to the starter before that time. Intending competitors are again reminded that entries close on Saturday, June 13, with the secretary of this club, Mr. E. H. Mayo, Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, accompanied by the entrance fee of 2/6. All junior riders are requested to mark their entry forms "junior." In every case it is necessary that the rider's last six performances be given correctly. The trophies will be presented to the successful competitors at the Picturedrome, Milford, at the dance which will be held on the evening of the race.

PAPATOETOE CYCLE CLUB. By his smashing ride over the 35-mile Kumeu course in the Auckland Amateur Cycling Centre's event last Saturday, breaking as he did the course record by over two minutes, Charlie Cochrane definitely established himself as an outstanding road rider; further, he cleared away from all but Graham Hughes in what was probably the strongest scratch division to ' have started in an Auckland race, and ■ then led him in by 14s. Only Papatoetoe : riders can realise the thrill they experienced when they beheld the big champion on whom they had pinned their 1 faith sprinting furiously down the straight ■ to fill ninth place. And it's his second liat ; trick—six starts, six fastest times. ! Bill O'Shaughnessy was going well with 1 the leaders at Henderson on the return when he was run off by a car and crashed. : heavily and sustained head injuries. He pluckily remounted and carried on to finish —thirteenth! Something for the superstitious to talk over.. The Papatoetoe juniors were well to the lore in their ISVb-milc event, but chief honours go to young Colin Carter, whoi was third and third fastest, taking 36.5.1 Joe Gillbanks. fastest in the junior events last year, clocked 35.41, 35.47 and 36.54. So with Colin going well early in « the j season the juniors at Papatoetoe must be regarded as really strong. Next week's races are over the Wyllie Road circuit. It is hoped to be able to procure an alternative circuit while this circuit is in such rough condition, but it will soon be in perfect order again, j Intending starters in the Takapuna Club's big trophy event of 52 miles on June 23 should have their entries in by Saturday.

NORTHERN CLUB. Two big attractions to be staged in the near future in the club's programme are bringing members right up to the mark as regards training. These events are the presidents Cup race on June 20, and club clay on the following Saturday. For both these races seniors and juniors will combine. The large cup presented by the president for annual competition is certainly a worthwhile trophy to hold, and competition should be very keen. The race will be staged over a course from Onehunga to Howick and back, a distance of about 27 miles. Club day is an innovation, in that new riders will be specially considered and special trophies will be competed for in the race, which is over a distance of 16V4 miles on the club's circuit at Onehunga. In Saturday's centre race the two shining lights from this club were Fred IX O'GormaiH fourth place, and John F. Garrod, sixth place. These two riders were in the front bunch at Henderson and solidly kept with the others, some of whom were oil' harder marks, and in a long final sprint were only beaten for honours by heavier-built riders. Both l'red and •Johnnie are quite "light-weights" but pack a considerable amount of steady push in their make-up. Both also have improved on last year's riding standard. In the scratch bunch Merv. Gamble was considered unbeatable, but did not come up to expectations, as he cracked up on the homeward journey. This, however, has been known to occur before with other prominent riders. In club races members are recommended to at all times try and complete the distance of the race, even if they see that perhaps they have no chance. It is simply a matter of following the example of the better riders. Invariably these will complete the distance of a race even if they appear to be well out of the running, and in this way gain confidence and stamina. AUCKLAND LADIES' CLUB. The Ladies' Cycle Club conducted a road race of eight miles on Saturday. Perfect conditions favoured tlie riders, and the limit rider, Miss Arrol (2.0), riding in great form, won from the scratch rider, Miss McGeehin, with Miss Mcßae (scr) third. Miss Arrol rode right away in the first four laps, registering faster times than the scratch riders, but the pace told its tale, and after this the scratch riders began to overhaul her, Miss McGeehin riding away from her co-marker and securing fastest time. Miss Mcßae was having her first experience of riding from scratch, and under the circumstances did very well. It is understood that the Takapuna Cycle Club is including a three-lap road race round the lake circuit on the King's Birthday in conjunction with the 50-niilc Orcwa race, and a good field of riders are expected to face the starter.