A MOONLIGHT CYCLE RUN.

Evening Post, Volume LXII, Issue 130, 28 November 1901, Page 5

A MOONLIGHT CYCLE RUN .

Majiy hard things have been eaid of Wellington weather, antl not without cause, but cyclists might easily overlook past injuries in this respect lor the sake of the beautiful'meteorological conditiqns rtthich ruled for their fun to Kilbirnio last night. There Vas hardly a" 1 breath of wind, a full, white moon 'shone, and' not a cloud marred the blue of the sky, north, eoiith, east, or west. The scene at the General Post Office, where' the run commenced, was reminiscent' of the departure of troopers to Africa. .The large square' was' crowded with people, anxious to see the send-off. Punctually at half -past seven a bugle .sang ' the rallyj and with Sir Joseph Ward aa pacemaker ' the long procession Jtnoved out, JFully a. thousand riders, men,\ women, and 1 children, mounted on every conceivable make of (machine — were in the line^ and from, every corner and side-street stragglers' • swung into the ranks. From the Post Office to Point Jerningham the route was lined with sightseers, and the spectacle was worth coming a long distance to see. In the windings of Evans Bay the effect was* particularly fine. On one side lay the cllean, shimmering water, and ,on the other the dark bill-chain, while in (he shadow moved, the hundreds and hundreds of lamps. -Away above the southern sky-line a solitary star called attention to its brilliancy by reason of its solitude. Such another nighfi under similar circumstances, might not fcccui again in a decade. On arrival at Kilbirnis, as many as could crowd into the hall did so. Sir Joseph Ward congratulated the cyclists I on the success of the run, and apolpgised for the absence of the Premier. The following contributed to the concert pro- N gramma : — Misses Burnett, Sime, Daniel, Picot ? Upham, and Messrs. J. M. Izett, Samuel, gachariah, Grove, Greenwood, and Parker. Those who were unable to gain entrance to the hall made up a "scratch"' concert in the grounds, where songs ranging from the historical " John Brown's Bo.dy " to ' the very latest catches from .the music halls were given by volunteers. The gardens (Mr: Heginhqtham'B) wer.o picturesquely illuminated by .Chinese lanterns, and J;he tea-house, where refreshments were served, • was tastefully arranged. At the conclusion of the concert, the hall was occupied by those who wished t» dance, but by this time, the greater number of riders were fin. the home trail in parties of a dozen ' or half-dozen, as suited their pleasure, all enthusiastically expressing the enjoyment which they had been given. So ended a run which was far and away^more delightful $an - anything' in local cycling traditions.