CYCLING.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9603, 18 December 1896, Page 3

CYCLING.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —I have read Mr Kesteven's letter. I cannot say in reply, , but drawn out by mine, and I have no longer any doubt as to the source of the misstatements recently circulated as to amateur cycling. I repeat amateur cycling is not going behind. Trophies for amateur cycling are always good, value, and do not consist of useless articles. Amateur cyclists are true sports, and are not corrupt, as some of the misstatements assert, and I again refer to the coming Boxing Day races to confirm my statement. I cannot put it plainer than this, and the object of my first, letter was simply to deny statements to the contrary. I did not wish or intend to say anything against any other class of cycling, because I know nothing against it, and if their representatives would be content to puff up their own particular branch without decrying another, then I have nought to say, in fact, I am with them. It seems to mc, however, that my use of the word "professional" as applied to a cyclist who rides for money is what hurts the most. Now, I did not use this in an insulting strain at all ; in fact I cannot see anything to object to in it, but if it is offensive I will apologise and ask Mr Kesteven—or preferably some other advocate of the cash branch whose experience is more disinterested and of a longer duration than his—what name can be used, seeing that " amateurs" are referred to as a distinct and separate body, and professional is barred, and I will in future use it. Personaliy, I see no more sense in one who ridee for cash objecting to be classed professional, than one who rides for trophies being classed amateur. There is certainly nothing derogatory about either.. *

As regards my norn de plume, I prefer to retain it, my natural modesty abhorring cheap notoriety ; and as to my authority, it consists -in the knowledge of the absolute incorrectness of the statements I complained of, and a connection with the sport extending over a period sufficiently far back for mc to be in a position to relate a little anecdote in reference to Mr Kesteven's first efforts to join a Bicycle Club. As regards "E. Nordon," I am sorry for the morality of the district he come 3 fioni if his statements are correct. Cyclists of both classes are above that sort of thing here. -«-Yours, &c, F. C.