CYCLING

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 139, 15 June 1933, Page 8

CYCLING

LOCAL CLUBS ACTIVE

SEASON UNDER WAY

(By "Roadster.")

Evidence of . revived. . interest in cycling was shown by the jjoqd attendances at Kilbirnio last Saturday, when the Poncke Clul) conducted two evoiits, in which 48 cyclists took part; Koy Ericsson," wiimw of; tho'Palnierstou JSTprth-Wellington pvent in 1031,. has given a~splciulid shield to the Poneke Club for team competition, 'Slid, last week's event was the first of the series.

Fivo teams (each of five riders) raced over a 22:milc course, leaving the starting point at five-ininuto'intervals.' C. Ericsson's team won from B. Ulmer's team with 20sec' to spave,. whilo G. Puniti aiid Co^ gained third place, 58sec bohind the winning combination. The closeness of tho times speaks volumes for the handicapping of Mr. M. Matson. Competition for the shield: promises to be very Keen. ■: ■■'■ ■ ■.

A 104-mile open handicap eyout, held in conjunction with tho teams', race, drew 23 starters and resulted as follows: —J. Ncttlcton, i- A. McKardy, "; R. Eobson, 3 (all of Poneke). A splendid "bunch" was, on tho scratch mark —O. Disley, L. Koberts,'. N. Epbinson, G. Stavelc}', and T.Eoe.-Disley (first) Eoo (second) and Staveley (third) registered tho best times, Roberts puueturing during the .first'lap." Next Sa.turdaj'.the-Hutt Valley Club is holding a 20-mile eventj wliile at Kil-

birnic the Ponoke Club is staging a 25----milo race for seniors and a 9-mil6 event for juniors. ■ ■ !

THE PENINSULA . COURSE.

Cyclists aro' using the reverse direction around the peninsula this season, and, . while considerable improvement h:is been effected with the 'jfkeipp to the ;lcft" rule, it is questionable 'whether the course is as safe. Boulders work loose on the bend from time to time and become scattered on the lefthand side' of tho road, thereby causing numerous withdrawals from "events owing to punctures, etc. However, it is an excellent course for, road .racing, with several miles of metalled surfacing, and when a strong'-.'.southerly is blowing up tlie bay the stamina of the best is tested, especially in 30 to 40----mile events when the peninsula has to bo traversed three times. The policy of using such a course has been well rewarded in important events. The Poneko Club has supplied the last two winners of 'tho Palmcrston;NorthWellington event, and, in addition, its members ■. havo filled several major places. There is a lamentable shortage of courses for road,■racing in Wellington at present. In Auckland half .a .dozen clubs function weekly, each on its own course. VVlien the Hutt.Road was"in use, considerable, public interest was created in the sport, but the Interest has waned of recent seasons, owing to the local clubs haying, to hplfl.;,their events several miles1 from the "city. The Hutt cycle track is;not nearly as rough to ride on as tho Kilbirnio course, and while tho present course has its; 'advant-' ages, ono would like to see'tho.'Hutt Bond restrictions removed to allow of cyclists racing alongside the tar-sealed surfacing. ~■■. ' ... . ... . GENERAL NOTES. Each local "club-began v thp'"scason .by. holding independent races, but as the Port Nicholson: and Hutt Valley Clubs

havo small memberships,* it 'migh^/jbe well for them to combine Inua- hold events similar to t'hosb of last season, thus leaving the Ivilbirnic course to the Porieke Club, which has to cater for close upon fifty cyclists.

The events held so far this- season have been won by competitors on liberal handicaps, as is usually -tfie caso in opening events, but as the' distances increase the back-markers 'should'mako their presence felt. Tho-writer has observed several large bunches adopting 'cutthroat" tactics. Where this might Succeed' in short events, combination is more! likely to defeat individualism when it comes to longer races. L. Roberts has joined the TCutt Valley Club. G. StaVelcy, T. Hoc, and Roberts should form- a scratch bunch second to none iv- Wellington.;

K. Ulmer'requires a little more-train-ing to give of hia best.;. The same applies to Norm. Robinson. Weather conditions have not been of tho best for training purpose's on the. last two Sundays, and only a few boys have bee i}.. but, but those intending to compete iijt tho coming important events would bowell advised to comineuco serious training not later than the, ends of the month. •■'The Poneke- Club,is badly.in need of officials at. road .events,' and with a club, of such larg«; membership vtliis, f3 to'be rogietied. The Killnjnie,-course requires an adequate .number. r6f,,'toad stewards. . The; help', of any,, interested .supporter- willing to assist:' will/, no doubt be1 gladly accepted. '■■'"'.''■ ,? ■ ■;. . 'The first event :for'a the,' McVilly Shield' is to be held' on tlio, Hutt 3f allay course on Saturday week, and sonio fine riding should bo seen. The distanca Is 25 miles, and teams of five will conipete in tho. first of. a series of threa races for the trophy. , .i