ROAD CYCLING

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 98, 22 October 1938, Page 23

ROAD CYCLING

NATIONAL TITLE

COMMENT ON THE RACE

At a disadvantage in not being acquainted with conditions likely to be encountered on the journey, R. Dutton, of Wellington, put up a very fine performance in filling second place to J. Brown, of Auckland, in the New Zealand amateur road cycling championship, held in the Auckland district last Saturday.

After last Saturday's experiment of a massed start race for the championship, it is doubtful if such a method of deciding the national title will be repeated, states the "New Zealand Herald." Only three of the six centres were represented and only Auckland had the full representation of three Hawke's Bay, West Coast (North Island), and Otago were not represented, while Wellington and Christchurch had. two riders each. The course of 100 kilometres, about 62 \ miles, extended from Devonport to Henderson and included almost every type of road surface and gradient. In fact, the course was primarily chosen because of its hilly nature in order to test to the full the true road riding capabilities of the entrants.

Knowing the nature of the route J. Brown, winner of the event and title in a convincing -manner, chose his equipment accordingly. Instead of using the li o 'hter tubular tyres with which the visiting riders had their machines equipped, Brown rode on the heavier type of wooden rims and wired-on tyres, while he also pedalled a three-speed gear of a slightly heavier pattern than his opponents.

The seven starters were C. W. Shilton and E. D. Taylor, of Canterbury, G. Amey and R. Dutton, of Wellington, and the three A'ucklanders, J. Brown, R. S. Triner, and E. L. G. Hughes. The event resolved itself into an elimination test. Taylor was