THE WHEEL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 9166, 28 July 1890, Page 2

THE WHEEL.

[contributed .] Passing Messrs Standish and Preece’a tlie other day, I noticed a splendid group of the Committee of the Pioneer Club for the year 1889 90. To keep pace with the requirements of the trade, Messrs Adams, Curtis and Co. have fitted up the first enamelling plant introduced into Christchurch, For the future all their machines will be enamelled, which should now enable ua to say that the home-made article is equal in every respect to the imported. D. Libeau, champion walker of New Zealand and Australia, and champion bicyclist of Australia, competed in the Onemile Professional handicap at Wolverhampton on May 27. He started from the 100yds mark, but could get no nearer than third in 2min 45£sec. Our opening of the cycling season is usually a very tame affair, and I think, to increase the interest, it might be a good idea to arrange an annual cyclists’ dinner, to take place in the evening after the opening run. I am certain that a dinner or smoke concert would be well attended, and would do much to bring cyclists together. However, there is plenty of time for my proposal to be discussed, but I am strongly of the opinion that the time has coc’e for a more elaborate opening of our cycAng season than a mere run to New Brighton or Sumner. At the Sport and Play Cycling Tournament held at Birmingham on May 27, H. E. Laurie won the three-mile race in Bmin 14|sec which beats the old record by sj?sec. Application was made to the National Cyclists' Union.Englaudj'at their May meeting, for permission to hold some bicycle races in connection with a professional pedestria meeting. The executive declined the request, stating as their reason that amateur cycling would never be sanctioned in connection with professional pedestrian meetings. At the Whitsuntide Bank-holiday cycling contests, decided at the Molmeaux Grounds Wolverhampton, fully 20,000 persons were present. One of the greatest attractions of the meeting was the riding of Miss Lottie Stanley, of America, who had been entered for the Mile Professional Handicap, more for exhibition purposes than anything else; but with 365yds start she proved too much for her opponents in the first and second rounds. On the opening day she rode her heat in 2min 37|-sec. The final heat was won by A. Laurence, J. W est, (one-legged champion), being second, Mies Stanley third, and A. H. Robb fourth; time, 2mm 57$sec. The One-mile Championship was won rather easily by Howell, Robb second and T. English third; time 2min 41£sec. Mr Prank Truman is a new hand at cycle racing, but by no means a “ new chum” at bicycle riding, he having, during his sojourn in the Waikari district, toured both North and South of the township. Since his removal to Kaiapoi he has turned his attention to racing; but he is badly handicapped in his training

operations, as the nearest tract Eangiora, a ride of some eight s. le has neverappeared at a race meetiug £■■■■• / fib on account of the drawback y mentioned, therefore it is a hard matter to predict what future is before him as » racing man. As a roadster rider be is ona of the best in Canterbury, having gooj staying power and ft fair turn of which could be increased with proper training. He is one of the racing men of the Bicycle Touring Club, and ha also represents the N.C.B.C. Early in the season he won the first of the series of the gold medal road races of the 8.T.C., the distance of which was five miles, the medal being presented by Mr E. Young, an enthusiastic cyclist.

Kov, 8: First m the Half-mile Handicap, from OOycifl, at the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Ciub Kjjorta at Lancaster Park. Time—lmin 21sec. Dec. 26: Second in the 'Jhree-mile Koudstef from eOytis, at the Inter-Colonial Bicycle Meeting at Lancaster Park. Time—9min 2;J<jbc. Leo. 27: Second in the Ona-nrila Koadste l '. ffom 40yds, at the Inter-Colonial 'Bicycle Meeting at Lancaster Park. Time—2min SO^asc. Jan. 1 : First in the Two-mJe .roadster Bicycle, from scratch, at tho Bangiom Friendly Eociuties' Fe te. Time—6mrn XSeec. .

Jnn. 1: First in the Five-milo Koadeter Bio clew from scratch, at the Kangiora Friendly Societies* Feta. Tims—lßmin lOfssn. Feb, IS: First in the Two-mile Boadster Bicycle from scratch, at the Benefit Meeting of Messrs Fanlon and Mayes, Lancaster Park, Time—6min March 29 : Third in the Three-mile Bioycls Handicap from 22Cyds, at the Canterbury Amitenp Athletic Club's Autumn meeting at Lancaster Park, Time—9min 22£seo.