The Relay Bicycle Race.

Hastings Standard, Issue 145, 14 October 1896, Page 4

The Relay Bicycle Race.

The following is a contemporary's description of the finish of the relay bicycle ride from Sydney to Melbourne, which lately excited great interest in the two Australian capitals:—lmmense crowds thronged Elizabeth-street in Melbourne as the time when the last section rider might he expected drew near, and his appearance at the head of an accompanying army of wheelmen who had ridden out to escort him to Government House was greeted with great enthusiasm. As it was impossible for him to ride through the crowds, he and his machine were lifted into a drag, in which he was driven part of the way to Government House. He then got down, and finished the rest of his journey on his bicycle, ending by handing Lord Hampden's message to Lord Brassey, who was waiting at the gates to receive it. Hundreds of cyclists were by this time on the scene, and added their numbers to the crowd round the Government House gates. In the presence of the public Lord Brassey broke the seals of the precious packet and read the eontents aloud. The message, after referring to the means by which it was conveyed from one city to the other, and remarking on the value of cycling as an exercise and recreation, concuded as follows: —"This ride is an intercolonial one, and for this reason I am pleased to support it, as I am anxious to do all in my power to further the union of sentiment between the colonies. I trust that the time will soon arrive when our riders will be able to steer their machines through the border into Victoria without fear of collison with Customs barriers, when passengers by rail will be able to rest at peace while passing the frontier at Alburv, and when in all other respects Sydney and Melbourne shall be partners in the destiny and glory of a united Australia." These allusions to colonial federation were received with prolonged cheering. Lord Brassey then made 'a short speech, in which he said —" There is nothing I like to see more than the interest which has been shown in all manly exercises in this great colony. Whether, -it be in football, cricket, wheeling, or in any other manly sport and pastime, I always seem to see some of the best men in the world here in Australia." It is perhaps needless to add that this sentiment was highly applauded, Ail

the riders experienced strong head w'nds, and on the Victorian side of the Murray the roads were very bad. Under these circumstances,the average speed—a trifle over 14 miles an hour —was good.