CYCLING NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10662, 24 May 1895, Page 6

CYCLING NOTES.

fBY ROVER IN “ CANTERBURY! XMES.”] ,G. Hnlaton, who made a name for himself as a sprint runner a few years ago, will make hia appearance on the cycle track next season. He has joined the Christchurch Cycling Club, and, I understand, he ia one of the fastest road riders in the club. J, E Snell, of Adelaide, has ridden 245£ miles in 23f hours, thus making a now Australasian record. The hero of this exploit recently rode from Adelaida to Melbourne, a distance of 585 miles, in 77£ hours. Eaferring to this performance “ Philibuater ” writes as follows in the Australasian Snell rode through without a wink of sleep, but it is questionable whether such trials on nature are good for man. When aspirations burn in man, however, he does not ponder on the consequences, hence Snell's example will be followed by others from- time to time. When J. H. Eeevea recently failed in his attempt to lower Snell's colours he had ridden 350 miles in 32£ hours without sleep, then nature would hold out no longer. He became dazed, and had it not been for his two pacemakers shouting to urge him on ho might have dropped off, and slept on the hard road. He pushed his padals quite mechanically till the ride dwindled down to a crawl of three miles an hour, and finally, completely overcome by sleep, he gave in, and slept for seven hours at Geelong, eventually completing the journey in 88 hours lOmin. A frame made of extremely thin tubing, fitted with a Malacca cane, through which runs a fine steel rod, is a French idea.

A new racing track in Prance is finished off with cement of a maroon colour. The effect of this against the green grass should bo picturesque. 0. S, Johnson, tho speedy American cyclist, has received such excellent offers to ride in Paris that he may throw in his lot with the professionals. The advantages of a narrow tread, within reason, are numerous, but probably about the best on practice is the reduction of the leverage on the frame of tho machine, and the consequent better keeping of the_ chain wheels in exact alignment, a most important item in smooth running. A correspondent in a London cycling paper suggest?, as a means of solving the amateur difficulty, that the machines of any maker who advertises any performance which has been accomplished on them be “ warned off tho amateur racing path.” It is hardly likely that the National Cyclists’ Union will adopt such a drastic measure. Two Bills have been-introduced in the

New Jersey Legislature for the protection of cyclists. Ono provides for a penalty of a month’s imprisonment or a fine of IGOdol, or both, for throwing glass, broken china, etc., in the streets and roads to injure bicycles. Another provides that railroads carry bicycles free when passenger in charge of the machine pays hi ß fare. An electric cycle lamp, which only weighs two pounds when fully charged, has been introduced by an American electric company. One charge of the battery will run a five candle power lamp for three or four hours. The material for recharging ia sold in small cans, so that the work of refilling is very simple, and costa but little. The new lamp is attached like an ordinary lamp.

A Parisian lady cyclist, out for an airing in a remarkably scanty costume, was stopped by a police officer who took her name and address. She ultimately received a summons. The solicitor who conducted her defence maintained that she waa dressed more quietly than the women who bathe on tho Norman plages, or even quieter than many ladies who attend private dances and evening parties. Tho magistrates, however, did not concur in this view, and the lady was sent to prison for a fortnight.