Cycling. [By Dagonet.]

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue LXIV, 13 September 1902, Page 6 (Supplement)

Cycling. [By Dagonet.]

A big representative gathering of commercial and press men took place at the Dunlop Rubber Mills, Melbourne, on 20th August last. The occasion- was the formal opening of tile Dunlop Tyro Company's fiuc rubber mills, which have already cost some £25,000 for plant alone. The works, which cover 61,000 square feet of ground, are the most complete and up to date in tho Southern Hemisphere. Expense ha,s been no object with the Dunlop Company in laying down their new works ; nil tho lfttcst rubber maclunery being put in with a view of catering for the general rubber goods trade of the Commonwgalth. Few of the public are aware of the heavy work entailed, and the large amount of food and drinkables that was consumed by the one hundred and eighteen coinpeti|orn in the WarrnainboolMelbourne road rnct\ ilie following list of the chief items of food supplied will no doubt be of interest: — 'lhirty-three dozen bananas; 33 dozen oranges; 34 dozen eggs; 38i lb muscatel raisins; 384 lb chocolate; 2d launches of 'celery; 40lb specially made- beef sausages ; 281b bcead for bread and hiilk; 00 gallons ot milk; and Blb sugar. The Victorian agents for Bovril also generously donated eight gallons of Bovril, which were distributed to competitors at Werribee. Frank Beauchamp, the well-known Australian racing cycUst', sends the following chatty items to the Duulop .Tyre Company from New Jersey (U.S.A,), where he is at present racing with W. Martin : — "Before leaving Paris Maftiu and I bought between us a fine French ten-horse power pacing motor ' cycle, vj&ich con travel at one-five gait. We intend bringing this machine but to Australia with us. Paced and scratch races aro all the go in Pan's just now. Hit fairly mokes your hair stand on end to watch the motors flying round an the small eight-lap tracks — ;doing under one-twenty to the mile on a track banked nt an. angle of forty degrees. The French style of racing* programme would not suit Australians, lvacing starts at 9 p.m. with very long intervals between races. Tho usual programme consists of one handicap (two heats and final), match race (two heats), and a straight-about motor race. The racing in France is pnre, no dividing up strikes, simply because they have nearly ail scratch races with only first riders qualifying. • "Iver Lawson came across to New York with us aboard the s.s.' Columbia. He rod^well in Europe, but with bad luck. He expects to be about ou top in the American circuit, which wo are at present following. Wo have been fixed up with machines by the American Bicyclo Company, Martin riding a Columbia and I a Tribune. The tracks here are so fast that Bill is pushing 108 gear, and I intend following his example. The majority of tracks on the circuit ure made of wood, and eight laps to the .mile, very highly banked, and very strange to ride on. The winner is generally in the front three laps from home, und stays there. Falls are very prevalent racing on these small wooden tracks. The majority of the racing cracks have skin off their knees and elbows. After a fall the riders' friends set to work to take* out splinters. "Eddio Bald, the 'one-time champion, is racing again, and is riding very fast. Kklers hore use wide handle-bars, which are absolutely necessary* on the small tracks. Amateur racing is very popular here. They run both classes at the sumo meeting. Have seen forty-five starters in amateur handicaps and scratch races. You can imagine the bustling iuid falls on an eight-lap track, but this class of racing is extremely popular vTith the American public, who have fair caught -on to the saucer-track racing. This style of racing would prove a success in Australia. Martin and I raced at Newhaven a few days buck, but did no good, as we have only had three rides after six weeks' boat travelling. I felt very unsafe racing round the track, which was like riding round the inside of a cup. The track wus banked to an angle of 48 degrees. The rideis here are very fast, but the promoters give svery man a chance ; they give five prizes and lap money in most contests, and it makes a good race— a hint to Australia. Martin nnd I raced at Revere Beach yes« terday. Started half-mile championship of America. Bill fell, I led to within a few yards of home, when condition told. Also started in ten miles' scratch race. I went for laps und got several ; thirty riders started. Bill finished fourth. Kramer, the holder of the American championship, iB tiding very fast, Lawson next best. No betting on racing here. Sport much purer than in AxistVnlia. Riders can wear what colours they like, but must r,ide in black pants. Kramer and Lawson met in a match to-day. two

heats over one third of a mile Kramer beat Lawson after two slashing races. Many of the good handicap riders here stutc their intention of going to Australia for next season. 'Peddler' Palmer is racing in Salt Lake City. Ho has recently won two good races. The papers here are giving Martin and 1 good notices. They run the sport for all it is worth, and cycle racing gels the benefit. With kind regards to all my Australian friends."