WITH THE WHEELMEN

Evening Star, Issue 20943, 6 November 1931, Page 5

WITH THE WHEELMEN

CYCLING NEWS AND NOTES

[By Pistol.]

Although the Palmerston-W aiheino Amateur Athletic Club’s Meeting, held last Saturday, was not _ widely advertised, several Dunedin riders contested the two cycling events, and gave goou displays. . , Owing to the difficulty experienced by the centre in securing a ground m Dunedin, few sports meetings have been held, with the result that local athletes would readily compete at any jneetings promoted by country clubs, and already local lads are preparing tor the meetings to be held in Central Qtago during the Christinas holidays. On his return to Dunedin after competing at the Palmerston meeting last week-end, J. C. Fogarty, the Otago champion, reported that the Waikouaiti Club was possessed of some exceptionally promising material which required only competitive experience. J. W. J'. Ferguson is making rapid strides in his training, and is moving much better than at the close of . last track season. . Ron. Duncan is exceptionally keen fit present, and, although his training .work is being done on the road, his sprinting powers show vast . improvement. , ' Fraser Grant showed ‘ plenty of promise last year, but he did not take his jridiug seriously, with the result that, ho jvas found wanting at the business end of' the races. Fraser commenced training during the week, and as his brother Howard has him imder his eye he should (juickly cultivate a good finishing ' sprint. One thing that a novice must bear .well in mind is that, a race is won at .the end and not at the start. Many ?ide the former stages of a race as fast as if it were the finish, and thus pump themselves out before half the distance has been covered, and throw away all chance of winning. Nearly always a man who runs away at the start of a race comes back to the crowd Jong before the finish. The big amateur road race, Palmerston North to Wellington, will be held on Saturday next, but owing to the lateness of the date it is likely that the New Zealand champion, Jack Richards, will be the only competitor from the South Island. The Sumner Cycling Club intends to continue staging road races throughout .the summer season.

Five Dunedin cyclists, Lucas, Hay, Templeton, Smith, and Fogarty, made 4he journey to the Palmerston sports meeting last Saturday to compete in the two cycle events. A. J. Hay, Who was well treated on the 45yds mark, rode a great race to head G. Smith in the final of the mile. He showed fine judgment in leaving the field just as Smith had caught the leaders, and he put in a very determined finish. _ The time, 2miu 17sec, was good going, and the surface iof the track was in excellent condition. G. Smith pushed with determination, and led Fogarty home in the two-mile event, in which the two stars shot away from the field to fight out a thrilling finish, with Hay close behind. Both hackmarkers appeared to be pedalling gears too small, for the fast nature of the track, and had to do some furi--pus pedalling to gather in the field. , v C. G. Lucas rode well from a shorter mark than he usually receives, and at. present seems to be regaining the dash .which won him many track races a few seasons back. W. J. Templeton also gave a good display, and made a'.great effort to jump the field in the two-mile. However, he could not keep up the pace, gnd faded over the last 200yds. Several Waikouaiti riders competed Bind rode surprisingly well on their first appearance on the Palmerston track. They are all more or less new to the game, and with plenty of races there are one or; two who should develop into track riders well above the average. The annual report of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association states: Good progress has been made in the advancement of cycling during tho year, one particularly pleasing 'feature being the splendid development of the sport in the Otago district. The council has been active during the year in endeavouring to bring nearer finality the , question of the control of amateur cycling in New Zealand. To date, the break-away body, the N.Z.U.C., continues to operate disaffiliated from the N.Z.A.A.A. The whole question of affiliation with tho U.C.1., Paris, is in abeyance, pending certain evidence being” forthcoming before tho N.C.U., London. The chairman of the council (Mr H. I. Austad) was in England some months ago, and as a result of his discussions with tho N.0.U., London, that body decided to reopen the matter of affiliation and to appoint an arbitrator to receive evidence from both the; N.Z.U.C. and the N.Z.A.A.A. as to the standing and ability of each body to best control the interests of amateur . cycling. Although the N.Z.U.C. refused to state its case before the arbitrator (Mr A. Gray, K. 0.), this association has forwarded evidence through that channel testifying that with details so far available from seventy-four clubs: There are between 600 and 700 amateur cyclists under N.Z.A.A.A. control; this number is representative of cyclists all over New Zealand; South Island cycling is completely loyal to N.Z.A.A.A. control, there being no clubs affiliated to the N.Z.IJ.C. in the South Island. The N.Z.A.A.A. has sought affiliation to the world controlling body through the New Zealand Cycling Board of Control. . ; - DON’TS FOR CYCLISTS. Don’t raise yourself from the saddle when sprinting. Don’t let the shoulders wobble. Don’t shake the head while spurting. Don’t look behind, but always ahead. Don’t hold your handle-bars too *Don’t assume a road position for the track. Don’t forget to go over your machine, before a race. Don’t underrate your opponents. Don’t break the laws of the track. Don’t talk; you may need your breath later on. Don’t growl about your handicap; speak to the handicapper. Don’t be late on your mark. Don’t shirk your lap. Don’t be afraid to ask for tips from officials and better riders. Don’t forget that a race finishes only when the line has actually been crossed. Don’t forget you are (or should bo) aiding for the love'of the game. Don’t forget that fair play is honuie play.