CYCLISTS FEAT

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 142, 18 June 1938, Page 20

CYCLISTS FEAT

NORTH AUCKLAND TRIP,

ELEVEN DAYS ON THE ROAD

A circle of the North Tsland on an ordinary push bicycle lias just been completed by Mr. R. A. Walker, of the Nfjaruawahia Cycling Club. The distance covered was 1200 miles, and tiKik 11 davs.

A feature of the trip was that Mr. Walker had. no punctures throughout, the only mishaps being the loss of three spokes and a toe dip. The journey was completed on a three-speed gear machine, the gears being 09, 74 and 82. Walker used mostly the low gear. The road between More re and Napier was in a very bad condition, and at the Devil's Elbow the rider had to carry his machine for three miles. The roughest country was struck after leaving Ojiotiki through the Waioweka Gorge. Twentyeight miles of this was uphill, which meant a good deal of pushing. A snow storm was experienced between Xapier and Wairoa. Walker averaged 111 miles a dav and 10} miles an hour during the circle of the inland. On one particular day he was in the saddle from 0.30 a.m. until 9.30 that night. The cyclist left Auckland at 11.30 on the morning of June 3, and reached Te Teko, in the Bay of Plenty, at 7.40 p.m. The next night was spent at Matawai. after a hard ride through the Waimana and Waioeka (iorges. A very welcome stopping-place was at the Morere Hot Springs the following evening. After leaving Morore one o? he worst stretches of the road was passed over, and owing to these conditions Xapier was not reached that evening. On June 9 he started out from Takapau at 0.30 in the morning, and did not reach Masterton until dinner time that night. Another start was made in the dark next morning, and after a gruelling ride over the Himutakas he signed in at the Wellington Chief Post Office at 1> V, p.n, on the 10th. After having lunch he staited on the return run at 1.2.1 n m and spent the night at Shannon. From there he went on to Hawera, passingthrough Palmerston Xortli and Waii",v nui, the local policeman at Hawera signing his route book at 9.30 that evening. On the 13th he got as far as Te Awa mutu and finally clocked in at the AuckAi at 4 " 30 on the afternoon of the 14th.