MOTOR CYCLING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1336, 13 January 1912, Page 13

MOTOR CYCLING.

-—; ■*" SYDNEY TO MELBOURNE EVENT. A GREAT FINISH . The second annual inter-State motorcycle reliability trial, promoted by the motor cyclo clubs of New South Wales aud Victoria, which commenced at Sydney on Tuesday (December 2G) was concluded at the Hay Market on Friday (December 29). There wero sixteen starters, including four Victorians. Tho first nino arrived iu a bunch at 1.19. Tho tenth and last to finish was R. Robertson, who arrived at 1.51, having been delayed by tyre troubles during the last stage from Benalla. A fair crowd assembled at the finishing post, including several members of the \.M.C.C. committee and half a dozen motor cyclists from Adelaide, who had ridden overland. Tho conditions of tho contest (a, demonstration of tho reliability of the motor-cycle in war timo for dispatch work) were less sovere than last year, with tho result that a much larger number of competitors finished without loss of points. The riders looked much travelled, several of' thorn, having had tumbles on tho way, owing to adverse road conditions. Tho stretch between Chiltern and Benalla, on tho Victorian side of tho border, was easily the worst stretch covered. The machines behaved admirably, exemplifying once again the degree of perfection reached in the construction of the internal combustion cngino on two wheels. As illustrating the disabilities against which somo of the riders had to contend, it may be mentioned that for the greater part of the journey two of the Victorian competitors • were crippled early in tho contest- through falls. One of tliem, J. Booth, sprained his wrist, before Albury was reached, but plnckily stuck to his task, and finished with the loss of 50 points only. The other competitor, A. N. Maplestone, from a similar causo dislocated his shoulder. First aid was rendered, and, remounting, he set to work to regain lost time, and finished without losing a point—certainly tho most counfeous performance of tho, contest. J. Fair, a Sydney representative, encountered innumerable fjre troubles, and, fo his credit, was amongst those who lost no points. The tenth arrival, R. R-obert-sou, riding but a 2J-h.p. machino, is deserving of special mention, having ridden within 06} miles of the terminal point out of 570 miles without forfeiting a point. Had lie not been troubled with punctures in the last stage lie wotdd certainly have shared honours with riders of the higher-powered machines. To sum up, the following competitors reached Melbourne with full points:— W. W. Reynolds, N.H.W. (3.J, Triumph).

J. A. Fair, N.S.W. (35, Speedwell).N. Saunders, N.S.W..OH, Bradbury). It. Glaufield, N.S.W. (3J, Bradbury). J. E. Yee, N.S.W. (35, Triumph). E. Tyler, Vic. (31, Premier). A. N. Maplestone, Vie. (31 Maple). A, A. Brown, N.S.W. N.S.tJ.). W. Torme.y, N.S.W. (35, Speedwell). Tho following riders finished, but with a loss of U'and 50 points respectively:— R. Robertson, N.S.W. (2\, Speedwell).

J. Booth, Vic. (35, Triumph). Interviewed after tho event, Mr. Tyler, who took part in last year's reliability trial, and was of the three competitors who finished with full points, said that road conditions on this occasion were much more favourable than in former years. Tho worst part was between Chiltern and Benalla, the surface being rough, unmade, mid in parts water-washed, whilst other places were looso aud sandy. As far as he could judge, tho machines of tho successful riders stood tho test, which was at times very severe, exceedingly well. On tho whole, road conditions wore much wor. ; e than were ever anticipated iu tho construction of the machines by tho manufacturers whoso products wero represented. Outside of tyre troubles, tho mechanism of the machines left, nothing to bo desired. Tho up-to-dato motor cycle was just about as reliable as the most fastidious touri: i twuld wish for.

Mr. Reynolds (secretary of tho New South Wales Motor Cyclo Club) endorsed Mr. Tyler's statement as to the roods. He found tho road between Seymour and Benalla especially bad. It was very gratifying to find that three times as many riders got through without losing points as last year. He attributed this to the experience gained in tlio last . intor-Stato event. The competitors, who included a fondly liitmbsr of last year's contestants, rodo 'with greater judgment over the rough parts of the eourse,_ nnd made provision against contingencies. "Many of iho competitors," added Mr. Reynolds, "rode the entire course without making a tingle adjustment to the engines of their macliiJ'ics, which speaks volumes for the reliability of the modern motor cycle."