CYCLING

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20987, 16 October 1933, Page 13

CYCLING

"ROUND THE GORGES" RACE E. JONES FIRST HOME F. J. GROSE'S FINE EFFORT

In an exciting finish E. Jones, a Christchurch rider, won the sixth annual "Round the Gorges" road race on Saturday. Jones was with a bunch of men off the 35min mark, who rode consistently well over the 100-mile route, and it was his extra stamina which put him in the lead in a fine sprint for the tape. His win was all the more creditable in view of the fact that he was forced to ride a machine which was strange to him. The outstanding performance of the race was that of the New Zealand champion, F. J. Grose, of Papanut. who secured the fastest time for the fifth time, and, in spite of generallj adverse conditions, narrowly missed bettering his record of 4 hours 30 minutes 25 2-5 seconds for the race. Grose was off scratch, and was set a difficult task to overhaul a big handicap. He had accomplished little ol that task bv the time he reached the Waimakariri Gorge, but on the 50mile run for home he rode splendidly, and performed what seemed to be the impossible by making up uoaily ■ ail of Iho handicap which he had conceded two of the lOmin men, and fmishing well up to them. .He covered the journey in 4hrs 33min 26sec, taking a little more than three minutes- longer than his record time. He finished in tenth place, and was loudly applauded for his performance. Grose said after the race that the roads were rougher than he had ever seen them. J. L. Richards (New Brighton) secured second fastest time. . ~_ . , R W.Marks, of Papanui <3omm Handicap) came in second, a length and a half behind Jones, with whom ne had ridden a race which stamped both ilie men as corning champions. They judged their riding well, keeping tort ther nearly all the way. and maKiii" the best of the favourable conditions over the last stretch Jones and Marks were in a bunch of se\en riders who were riding promisingly before Hornby was reached. Ot'ha bunch, Jones, Marks, L. Fever, of New Brighton (23min) and B. B. A. Hoadley of Addington (24min), were in the lead on entering the showground. These four men raced round the oval at Addington in a thrilling tussle lor the lead, which was only decided on the tape. Fe\ cr was third, and Hoadley fourth. Wind and I>ust.

Variable winds, clouds ol dus, from rther vehicles, and the presence ol deep layers of shingle over many miIPS nMho unsealed roads were some o; the dimculties with which the .>-! riders had io contend. For the sunt oi'therace from the Papanui Memorial -mare » "->■-'"'> ;ul >' "> nriill "" : ' wt ' lv Th<- sun was not 100 warm, mid there was practically no breor.c. but as the cvrlists approached Ino irils a south-west wind came up, and had lroshencd to a still blow by the thnc was reached by the limit men There hilly country had to be contended with, and as the riders struggled m> the steep slope leading cut of Vhley towards Oxford, the wind was nearly strong enough to blow the slower men off the road. in the Waimakariri gorge it freshened to a gale, and changed to the north-wesf, blowing still side on «o the men, but once the turn was made into the run to Christchurch from Wadding'ou the wind was behind thorn, and caused no trouble other than the dust nuisance. The course is recognised as one of the most difficult in New Zealand, and consequently one of the most exacting. In ihe circuitous route through Rangiora to the Ashley gorge, from Oxford over the bed of the Waimakaiiri to Waddington, and then on to Christchurch, via Kirwce, the contestants met with all sorts of roadssmooth, paved surfaces, rough shingle surfaces, steep hills, and undulating stretches, bridges, potholes,' and even tramlines.

The race was conducted by the Papanui Amateur Cycling Club, under Hi" patronage of the League of NewZealand Amateur Wheelmen. The event, which is one of the most important in New Zealand, aroused great interest, particularly in the country centres; in fact, there were spectators at every vantage point all along the route, and in each township the streets were lined with people eager to cheer tiie riders on. At the Showgrounds there was a fair crowd, which witnessed a programme of athletic events before the finish of the race. At the end of the race, the DeputyMayor ',Mr J. K. Archer) presented the championship ribbons to Grose, Jones, and Blakeway, the under It; champion. Mr Archer apologised for the absence of the Mayor (.Mr D. G. Sullivan. M.P.), and congratuhuod the winners on their success. Grose's performance was magnificent, he said, particularly in view of the conditions. The prizes and trophies won will be piesented at a function this evening. It is Mated that Jones had to ride a strange cycle because some person, outside the club, objected to his riding his own machine. He was found a new machine only at the last moment.

The Race. For &uch a long race the outcome was in the dark until unusually late in the day, owing- to some of the t>ood performances of limit or near-limit men. who rode well until towards the end of the route. The majority of these youngsters allowed their "inexperience or overeagerness to trap them jnto doing a Jot of solo riding. It was obvious, however, at Aylesbury, with approximately 30 more miles' to go, that, the linish would be interesting! for (he most promising and likel'v nien wore closing in on W. D. Murray i.4oniim, who had led from Ashley. Jones suffered a reverse of some sort not long after starting, and dropped back, but at Belfast he was seen rapidly overhauling his comarkers, including Marks", and from that stage on those two men kept fairly well together. All riders made a steady pace, varying from 22 miles an hour for the limit men to nearly 25 for the back-markers; but one of the earliest reverses came to C. R. Buckley (Mount Pleasant). who dropped behind from the 20 minute bunch to the 17 minute men, and then dropped back altogether at Rangiora. Buckley carried on, but did not finish. First through Rangiora were A. V. Blakeway and E. A. Burke, the limit men. but at that point they had lost a few minutes on the next bunch, which included R. W. Frewin (one of the youngest riders), W. D. Murray, and F. A. Rondel. This latter bunch did the first 23 miles in 70 minutes. R. B. Blakeway, Lancaster, and Pearl (off 10 minutes) were then making a fast pace, and giving an early indication of the line riding which landed the first two well up at the finish. These 10-minute men were actually moving away from the scratch ridefs. who had settled down to a very steady pace, and their speed carried them into the next bunch (off 13min) past Loburn. Over the Ashley. By the time the Ashley Gorge was reached the field had strung out, and a fair indication of the form, and likely

positions could be gorged. At the top of the stiff climb just past Ashley—the men had then done a good deal of climbing hills and flying down them— Murray led, and was going well with a wind nearly blowing him off the road, almost head-on. The field was well spread out coming up the rise. A. V. Blakeway, a limit starter, fol- j lowed a mile behind Murray. Three ; minutes after him came Burke, the other limit man, whom Blakeway rather unwisely, it seemed, had decided to Vsave behind. The order then was Rondel and Frewin (separated by two minutes), who had started from the same mark with Murray, but who were riding steadily; in another five minutes came L. J. Farmer, M. A. Carson, and another rider with an obscured number; a wait of two minutes, and then a big bunch crested the hill, led by J. Hurd (38min), with N. T. Prisk, Jones, and Marks (35min men), all riding nicely: E. Walls (35min) was a bit behind them, and a few hundred yards back rode J. S. Pulley (Rangiora), A. C. Hands Cveteran rider, off 38min), and E. Doggett, off the same mark. A. T. F. Bradbury, L. Fever (28min>. M. Leitch <3lmin), and T. Egan, off the same mark as Leitch, were in the next bunch, not far behind, and following them in about three minutes were E. K. S. Rowe (20min), Hoadley <2lmin>, and R. J. Kennedy (21min), who then seemed a likely looking trio. W. Price (17min), G. R. Hann (20min), and R. K. Kennedy (17min) were lollowing, well strung out as they toiled up the hill against the wind, and M. C. Richards (17min) followed his co-markers, but was well behind and riding easily. At this stage it appeared that the race would be finished in considerable slower time than in former years. Then the scratch men had not reached Ashley, while usually at that time they would be passing through Oxford. C. R. Buckley was still riding at Ashley, and behind him came L. G. Hill and F- W. Cox (off 31min), who were wisely sharing the work. Closing In.

The next bunch to make the Ashley indicated that the back men were already closing in. Lancaster (off .10 min) and Pearl (also off lOmin) had caught up to K. Karaitiana (13min). A good way behind them was M. A. Carson (43min), who was the first to walk up the hill, and strung out were T. A. Grose (13min), Henderson (24 min), and Parker (40min). U. E. Milner (40min) and J. H. Maehirus (23min) were only a little ahead of the scratch men, J. L. Richards, F. J. Grose, E. W. Stevens, and R. W. Richards. The back men were moving at a good pace. Between Oxford and the Eyre Bridge, Frewin, who had ridden well, met with tyre trouble. From then on, past the mouth of the Waimakariri Gorge the riders had a stiff run over bad roads and with a gale blowing across them. Burke dropped back over this stretch ,-ind Price had a puncture. Then at Waddington came the welcome turn for home, and ease from the wind.

Fast Riding. It was at this stage that Jones, Marks, and company set out to make a pace which put the scratch men well out of the running for places. R. J. Kennedy, who finished fifth, got in with another bunch which made a cracking pace along the smooth road. Murray was still leading at Aylesbury, but was being rapidly overhauled by Blakewoy and Milner, who were doing the best of 26 miles an hour then. Behind them were Rondel and F. J. Farmer, men with big handicaps, whose chances of winning were then still bright. Jones and Marks were coming up fast, however. Between that part of the journey and Templeton, before Rolleston was reached, Murray was overhauled by Blakeway and Milner, and dropped rapidly behind, after a gallant ride. Rondel, Marks, Jones, Fever, Kennedy, and Hoadley cracked on the pace, and Blakeway, after leaving his mate, soon became one of the bunch which set out for the home stre'teb. obviously determined to make a "go" of it. Jon-es, Marks, Fever, and Hoadley survived the terrific pace across the rough stretch on to Lincoln road, and they entered the ground together, racing round neck and neck until in the j straight, when Jones made a wonder- \ ful effort for so yqung a rider, and ■ came in ahead by a length and a half; Marks was two lengths ahead of Fever, and Hoadley was a close fourth. The first dozen to finish were soon in. There was great applause when Grose came riding round to finish with a fresh sprint for fastest time. J The Haclngs. , The pricings and times were as follows: -- | K. .I'-'iifv', CLnMclunvlj (."oiuin;, ;"hr Turn, 11.-eo . . . . . . 1 If. V, . Marl;?, Piii.anin (tlSinin), 51ir Vmiii 1 1 1-r.scc . . . . - L. I'ovor, Now Brighton (D6mia), shr Oinin 11 2-sr>ec . . .. 3 G. B. A. Mondlo.v, Addincton (24min), •thr Mini in 1 1 H-r>soc ..' . . 4 ' H. J. Komiedv, Kan{,'iora (2-linin), 4hr Miniin lUfccc ■ • ■ ■ ~> A. J. I.ii n. at-cr, Kiecarton (10inin>, 4hr Unii'ii .. ■ - 0 ■ 11. B. Jilnkfv.-;iv. Spvcy<l,,n (flOrain), 41,r -lifmiii :;7sr.- . . - . 7 (i. Jf. Itiniii. < liri-tfliurcli ('jnmin), -Jhi.Vjnnu :;nscc . . • . S ].'. A. Knmje], Nov Brighton (iSniini, ,M,r L" Imin S<.p- . . . . it V. ,1. CirOM', l'liimniii (Sir), -lhr S:;min A. Y. ' Bliikeivov, Ko.ndaltnn (55min), Mir •JSmin -l».-=-i- .. . . 11 V. J:. Milner, ainjtohurdi U'Jmm), i T. y.l'xu, ,\>w Brighton (ojmin), ol'ir 7in in 171-0,. " . . . . !■" T. .1. L'ren, Ifniitji.ira (17miu), 4iir "-.-.(mir, I sec ' . M J. L. Kirhards, Nov,- Brighton (:<->.■,. lln- llmrn fIM.-'T . . . . 15 J. J... Sonvurd. Kainpoi (iSimn.i, shr TJmiii lii-ec -. . . 1(J W. JI. Brov.ii, WoolMon (l.lrnin), Mir -Smiti ■ir.sec • • . . 11 K. Karnitiana, Kainpoi (ininin), 41ir 58miii 4R*cc • • . . IS K. V. Stevens', Nov/ Brighton <scr), -lhr -IMnin -16 2-Tisoo . . . . }'J J. 'Jlurd. Spreydon tlifiinin), dhr CSmin J. T. Tre.-ip--, Sydenham CJSmin), Mir -Sinin fi l-Mee . . ■ ■ - 1 L. J. Vsrmcf, K.-in S iora (-iJmhO, r.lir i ;) -jini ii 1 ssoo . - - ■ | W ('. Oip-r.r. Addin_-lon (1 :';fniii>, ihr ■1 min fUsi'c ' . . ■ - '■-■> | lit. C. Richards--, Nov.- Brighton ((ITmin), I Mir Dmio llokoc . . -■* I If. W. I.Vhnrds. New Brighton (xen, ■IIn- 5-lniiii ltisee. . . • ■ '-•' i A. 'l'. I'. Biadbnrv, l.inv.ood (Osnnrn, i Mir rJiTiin -Jfi 1-.-.M-,- . . ■•■ -'' j \V. i'l-K-f, KMapoi (ITmin), .">lir limn)I\. ('.' riiinds. Cliristoliiivf-li iflsmiv.t, j Mir fiiinin -17 1-Me.-N. Berry. St. Albans (sci\>. ■">!"* IMni'i T. A ." s (.'rn>«, Vnpanui ( i::»iiin'<, S l -'' ■Jiimin 47sue. • ■ • • "" it. T. Pearl, Cliristcliur'cli (lOmin), r.lii- .(ii-iiiu Jf.sor- . . . . r.i M. A. f'nrstiii, Ijiiivoud (-i'imin 'i, I'lir 15min Hi S-.'i'-o,; . . • • "'- S. .1. B.irlr.v.-, Bookonbam (.-lSminl. Cl'i- lilmin 17kpc . . - ■ ;; - ; I. (,'. T(i]'. Kniajini i'.". I illin >. Ghr Sunn j |'|.:o,. .. .. . . :u B. r. B.'ii-].-i-i-. I.inv.-i.nl Mf'nrnl. fdir •:-)niin r,i)~cc. .. ■ • -■'' !■;. T. llnokl.-y. St. Mnrthn I'-Hmnii i, (ilir 29inin fiOpoo . . - • " G Special Prizes. Sppoinl pri2e» mci-o M'on as follows:-]-'a-stest. tinio—F. J. I'irosp, Papanui. Time, 41ir r;;;inin Stisoo. Scoond fnstcst time r. S. Tiioliards, New Briirlitori. Tinio, 41ir 41min rjijsec. Third fnstoM. Time —A. J. Lnncnster, Itic-oai-ton. Tinio, -llu- 4tlmin uCsec. i'asl-st »'ino (inidor 18 yours)—Tf. B. Rliikowny. Kjir-.-vrlnn. Tinio. Ilir 42min S7»Co. Soonnd fnptest time (under IS years') W. (.' (.)rigor, Adiiinston. Time, ."hr 4mm

Youngest cimiislilm-A. V. Blakeway. olilest i-ojnpctiirir—L. J. Farmer. Kir.-t .•r.mpedtor to finish who bad not nroviniislv won a pri/.e— K. A. Handel]. Hurt Challmye Cimi for the tain? mcc— F. ,T. Grose, U. W. Marks. 'V. U. Hsnn. and 7. A. (troBP. 20 points: rnnners-up: A. <'. Hand". A. .T. T.aneas'or. T,\ B. BlnliFwny. and .'. F. Rirhard?, 26 noint-.. Tim tH?ps will he virpf.pntoi'l tills Pvfi:in- at. tbn .Moivmrin! Ha'l. Par.anni. by thxMayor (Mr P. Ci, Sullivan, M.PJ . List of Winners. The. iollowingr have, been placed ijrst in the race since 192S:— Time. 1923—8. W. Arnst, St. Albans (SOmiu) .. .. 5.7.46 2-5 1929 —N. Berrv, St. Albans (2-lmin) .. .. 5.1.41 3-5 1930—5. Weir, Riecarton (50min) 4.5i!.55 1931 —B. Pnrl;in. New Brighton) (42rain> .. .. 5.16.36 1932—1!. li. Blakeway, Spreydon (28m!n) .. 5.1.2 3-5 1933 —F. Jones, Christchtirch (35min) .. .. 5.7.11

The fastest times for 1 earl) raeo have been , as follows : j 192S —F. J. f;rose. Papanui .. 4.'4.23 1929 F. J. Grose, Papanui .. 4.4G.29 :1930—F. J. Grose, Papanui .. 1.30.2 5 2-5 3 931 W. F. Wilcoelison, Christchurch -. 1.40.0 -I9IIO— V. ,1. CivoFe, Papanui .. 4.35.10 j 1933—J' 1 . J. Grose, J'apauui .. 4 33.26 I _ j i RACE AT ISLINGTON j The Papariiii Cyeiin;; Oluh held a .10-mile 1 road raer- at Islington on Saturday after- ! men, R. S. 'Weir and S. A. Jordan, giving! uwa\* three minute..; and a lioli to (he limit: riders. / j live miles irorn home Guy lOmin)' .arid ; North (2iniin) werf.in ilu'.lead, being '-» \ seconds in front of Fleming and . llobsun (IJmin). Weir arid Jordan wero Iniin 37 seconds behind the leaders. The result was:W. Guy (2min), time PC'min 36i.ee .. I S. Kortli (2?,min). 40min G l-sscc. .. :'. H. Hobf:on (l?.min), 39min 37 l-ssec .. 3 F. G. Fleming (IJmini, 39min 37 l-3sec 4 S. A. Jordan (scr), Sfimin Osce . . 5 F..H. Pope (30sec), 39rnin 39 l-ssee .. 'i R. Sutherland (lmin), -tOmin Osec . ; 7 .Fastest time was registered by P. A. Joi-dao.

! NORTH ISLAND EVENTS | I — ■ I YARDLEY WINS AMATEUK ] .TITLE i I OHZSB ASSOCIATION TELZaBAM.) j ! . NEW PLYMOUTH, October 15. j ! The North Island 50 miles road cycling; j championship was won l>y Tt. Yardlcy (New' I Plymouth) i» a rru '° t0 Punaarehu ami back. ! There wcto 2ti competitors. L. Heatley I t'Uremii') nas first homo, but Yavd'cy's was | tin' fastest time, 2hr Umin ."/j l-.Vee. j PROFESSIONAL LIIAMI'IONSIUI' (VEr.SS ASSOCIATION TTXZCRAM.? I : AUCKLAND, October .1:.. The North Island proicssiunal championship c.-clius race, Cambridge to Papakura, resulted in a win (nr \V. Hills, Auckland (Ciuniiii). His riiJin? time \i.is -'.hr Smi'i 31 sec. Other placing were: \V. Hansen. Whakafane (1-lmin), 31,r 40min tisee, 'j : G. Orf.-n. Whakatnne (2Gmin>. :;hr 52min Tsec, U; H. Lewis. Waharoa (HGniin). 41ir timin 31se.\ i. Fastest time was made by A. Kalston, Otajjo (scr), who took !!hr Hlmin UOsce, and established a new record. Tho previous re ' cord was iihr 4'jmin 57 1-jsee. established by W. Bareourt in 19'..".}.

PALMERSTON NORTH TO WELLINGTON iCftESS ASSOCIA.TIOX TELEGBAIM WELLINGTON, October 14. The secretary o£ tlis Wellington Cycling Centre Elated to-day that the annual Palnicrston North to Wellington road cycle race would definitely take place next Saturday, and not iu November, l.ate entries will be received until Wednesday. AUSTRALIAN RACE tt.Vccivcd October 13, ii.li p.ru.i AIELBOUHNE, October IS. Tho raco from Warnambool to Melbourne U65 miles* provided the moat exciting finish in the history of the race. VTiUoughbv boat King by inches, with Anderson half a"wheel away third. Fastest time was made liy W. V. Stuart, who was unplaced off scratch." His time was six hours 27 minutes 5G seconds. Or.penußU punctured and then put ud second fastest time. Two hundred and thirtv-two cyclists started in event. E. Miliiken. the brilliant amateur c-olist, recorded fastest time in the 100 njilea z'rora Colac to Melbourne—three hours 51 minutes H seconds.