Random reminder

Press, 28 August 1980, Page 24

Random reminder

HIGH SPEED AT HIGH NOON

With the dramatic increase in fuel prices, many citizens have dusted down their old faithful cycles that had hung on the garage wall for years, replaced the tyres, ’ oiled the chains and gingerly mounted their steed, much to the excitement of the kids seeing their dads cycling for the first time, in their lives while their wives sniggered as they wobbled around the yard trying to avoid the flower beds. The man of this story eventually braved the suburbs and at the next petrol rise, cycled to work only to find that bike stands were at a premium. He was generally beaten for a place by a grinning junior member of the staff who would scorch past him on his 10-speed racer and take the last bicyle park. While this accommodation was limited, at least at last, there was room to park his car — which was at home. , ■ A friend of R. R., who was of course much older, can remember when Christchurch was once known as the “City of Bicycles’ and between 4.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. it was a nightmare for hand-signalling policemen at crowded corners. It was reported that the .most aweinspiring sight was at the junction of Moorhouse Avenue and Lincoln Road, where a solid stream - of Addington Workshops Cyclomaniacs would sweep around South Hagley Park at 4.32 p.m. Before the 40 hour week was

implemented, the Saturday riders at “High Noon” would pedal vigorously towards Christchurch railway station lead by speedsters intent on catching the Lyttelton train at a road-burning pace worthy of (dare we say it) Olympic honours and en-masse enough to make Atilla The Hun blanch with terror. We were told that a newly-fledged traffic inspector who had no sense of proportion, .heard of these cycle lawbreakers and was determined to stop such unbridled headlong flight. This was to be no shoot-out between the brave sheriff and Black Jake in old Tuscon, but more like the valiant attempt by Horatius to hold the bridge, a few hundred years earlier — a complete regiment of charging cyclists eight wide at high speed at high noon across Lincoln 1 Road junction in pursuit of Lyttelton trains and various sports activities, ■ This brave officer stood at the cross-roads with raised hand, and was amazed when they cheered him as they swept past him. In desperation he tried to grab a passing meteoric wheelman only to be pulled off his feet. Further attempts to halt this cycling cascade also proved fruitless. He had tried unsuccessfully and earned their respect — from a distance. But kick-off was 2.15 p.m. and referees were seldom tolerant with latecomers. The game’s the thing.