CYCLING

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 6, 2 October 1929, Page 8

CYCLING

By

“VELOS”

PORT NICHOLSON CLUB A study of the road-racing time-sheets since the inauguration of the Port Nicholson Amateur Road Cycling Club reveals some very interesting times which are to be recognised by this club as official records. Of course, these cannot be regarded as anything more than club records, and when compared with times of other centres, conditions of roads and weather must be taken into consideration. It will be noticed that in several instances fast speeds have been recorded, while in one case the time registered is so good that one is inclined to doubt its authenticity. This is the 25 miles’ record ot 1 hour 28 seconds, which was ridden, certainly under good conditions, by J. Carswell, G. S. Bright, and P. If. Robinson, the first-named wanning the sprint, lhe race in question was the first to be held bv the Port Nicholson Club, and was contested on June 19, 1928. The next race was over the same course and the same distance, but the time on this oceasioti was 1 hour 13 minutes 25 seconds. A year later the same 25 miles occupied 1 hour 9 minutes 35 seconds. This is a difference of 13 minutes and 9 minutes respectively, which is really too great to attribute to climatic conditions, because, being an out and home course, competitors have the assistance of the wind at least one-half of the journey.

Table of Records. , ~ , This year all road events were decided over the main Hutt Road, commencing and finishing at the Central Fire Station, and for this reason the times registered during the 1929 season are all very consistent. In presenting the records, the writer gives the .best times for every distance competed since road cycling commenced in this city, the times for the original course, Petone Rowing Sheds out and back, being

102 „ 539 421-5 8/10/27—L. Lukey, During the past season the distances mentioned were adhered to and the times can be relied upon to be accurate. A perusal of the above will show that almost any and every distance has been raced over, thus making it difficult for officials to be conversant with previous best times, and also for riders, many of whom have contested a race without knowing the exact distance. However, a move will be made next season to have racing distances stanr dardlsed, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 miles, and, of course, the championship 50, medallions presented to riders bettering the records.

Corbett Cup Competition. For the second time in succession W. T. Bray won the Corbett Memorial Challenge Cup ■ with fastest times, two second fastest, and two second places, making a total of 30 points. L. J. Pearce, with 27 points, ran second to Bray after a very close contest. These riders rode consistently throughout the season, and the times registered show that no. loafing tactics were adopted. Next In order were h. h. Bellman, 14 points; F. Hoare, 13; A. Campbell, S. Wright, H points each; D. Evans, 10; A. White, 9; G. Puiniti, J. Fawcett and C. Johnson, 8 points each; J. Foote, 7 points. Lukey and Grose Again.

Early in the 1929 road season news was circulated that F. Grose and G. Lukey, the Canterbury wheelman, had decided not to compete on the road, and it comes somewhat as a surprise to find, them riding so well as their present form sug gests. Over 35 miles a fortnight ago Lukey annexed fastest time, and on. Saturday last Grose absolutely galloped home an easy winner for time honours in the “round the gorges” race of 100 miles. Apparently this latter race was a fight to the finish between these two. Reports state that Grose was leading the scratch bunch at over 25 miles per hour and was later “dropped” by Lukey, who received practically no assistance after leaving Grose. However, the latter made a wonderful recovery and eventually succeeded in outclassing the opposition. These two riders represent the fastest sprinters and the strongest road rider in the amateur ranks, and it is quite on the cards that wc in Wellington will them again contesting the Palmerston North to Wellington race on October 12.

Wanganui to Palmerston. . Good support is being given the promoters of this event by local riders ''ho will contest the race of 49 miles _on Saturday afternoon, and ride from I almerston to town the following Smtday in preparation for the long race, lhe J,??, year’s race are good, and local riders mak ing the trip should acquit themselves well.

given first Time, Date. Holder, Distance. hr. m. see. 13| miles 34 46 26/5/28 —M. Gane. 16 7 42 08 19/5/28—-M. Gane. 26/5/26—P. N. Rob18 52 58 inson. 20 „ 55 15 2-5 20/8/27—D. McFedries. 21 * 54 51 1-5 11/6/17—H. Norris. 22 J 55 02 30/6/28 —W. Bray. 1 0 28 19/6/26—J. Carswell 26 m 1 6 56 14/7/28—H. Morris. 30 1 18 35 28/7/28 —H. Morris. 35 1 40 57 23/7/27 —H. Morris. 38 „ 1 38 55 17/10/25—J. Carswell 40 „ 1 45 49 1-5 6/8/27—D. Toomer. 50 2 13 19 3/9/27 —J. Carswell. Results of races which started and finishcd at the Central Fire Station, Wellington, are at i follow:— 14 „ 39 511-5 4/5/29 —L. Pearce. io n 37 19 20/7/29—W, Bray. 18 „ 44 24 3-5 18/5/29 —L. Pearce. 111 » 47 58 4-5 1/6/29—G. Staveley 20 45 47 4-5 27/7/29—L. Pearce. 23J „ 59 54 3-5 22/6/29—W. Bray.. 1 2 40 31/8/29—W. Bray. 30 ■ ,, 1 16 45 29/6/29 —L. Pearce. '85. „ 1 29 38 3/8/29—L. Pearce. 40 1 48 10 17/8/29—W. Bray. 50 2 08 35 15/9/28—L. Lakey. The record for the Palmerston North to ■Wellington race is:—