Cycling. [By Dagonet.]

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 23, 28 January 1899, Page 3 (Supplement)

Cycling. [By Dagonet.]

The obstacles in a race in Melbourne comprised a line of half a dozen strawstuffed sacks, suspended three feet from the ground, which the riders had to pass through, a dozen long logs, some tilting boards, a row of barrels to be ridden round, and a canvas reservoir with planks across for them to walk. There were about 20 starters, and the laughing commenced when the men, after racing a lap, dismounted and attempted to walk backwards and wheel machine backwards at the same time. With some of the men you might just as well have blindfolded them, and set them off to reach a given point. Their efforts to go straight were grotesque. The poles and tilts were easily negotiated, but when it came to walking the plank over the reservoir, gusts ot laughter rang across the grounds whenever a competitor fell in. Mr. A. Shaw made his debut before a Melbourne audience last Saturday as a bicycle 'trick rider.- He fairly astonished the onlookers by the skilful manner in which he performed. He used an ordinary safety bicycle. In one of his feats he rides two bicycles, propelling them both at the same time by placing a foot through each frame on to the outside pedals. Another act sees him lying on the saddle on his stomach, with arms stretched out in front of his head while the machine skims along -the turf, looking as though it were bearing away a torpedo. He goes through an inconceivable number of tricks in a most graceful manner, iuul it seems quite possible he could surpass the old champion, A. S. Malthy. There is little to wonder at for the increase of cycling in France, because the interests of its votaries are studied in all directions, good roads, free' carriage by rail of cycles, special accommodation at all towns for tourists being the leading advantages. In 1894 203,026 machines were declared, 256,084 \n 1895, 329,816 in 1896, 408,869 in 1897. Horses which are habitually used in busy thoroughfares are thoroughly accustomed to the sight of cyclists, but in the country the noble steed occasionally show.* some shyness and obstinacy in passing a Avheelman. When meeting a restivo horse it is advisable to dismount and stand quietly until the animal is induced to proceed. Its rider or its leader will find it far easier to coax the animal if this is done. One of the youthful cyclists employed by a certain London evening paper, in his hurry to get to the West End, recently knocked down and seriously 1^ jured a lad, whose parents have succeeded in obtaining £40 damages from the proprietors of the paper in question..