SPLENDID CYCLING EFFORT BY WRIGHT

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6890, 22 April 1929, Page 6

SPLENDID CYCLING EFFORT BY WRIGHT

Auckland to Wellington CLIPS 9i HOURS OFF RECORD AGAINST WIND TRUE TEST OF METTLE, Per Press Association. ' WELLINGTON, Last Night. Stan Wright, a permanent member of the Port Nicholson Cycling club, succeeded in breaking the existing cyele record from Auckland to Wellington by over 9 hours 37 minutes. Wright left Auckland on Thursday morning last at S a.m., accompanied by a car d r ivcn by Mr. A. J. Couchman, along with his .trainer Mr. D. McFredcries and. Air. H. D. London, a representative .of .the Wellington centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic association. He arrived at Awakino at 12.40 a.m. Here a rest rvas made for 7 hours 2d minutes. On Friday, at 8 a.m., Wright left on his journey, to Wanganui, a distance of 153 miles, which point was reached.at.9.26 p.m,,. after battling with a strong head wind for the best part of the day. A spell of seven and a quarter hours saw Wright leavo Wanganui at 4.45 a.m. to cover the last part of his reeord journey. A stiff southerly wind was encountered for the entire distance, making the travelling very severe but Wright proved himself to be made of the right mettle and he rode into Wellington at a good 15 miles an hour, reaching the G.P.O. at 4.5 p.m. on Saturday. On being interviewed at the conclusion of his record attempt. Wright stated'that he had a battlo against the wind for the entire distance and found the conditions for the first two days very trying. Bad roads and hills, combined with the wind, made tho travellint' slow over the last part of the distance. Wright rode strongly and c.imbed .Packakarilci hill in 27 minutes, two. minutes over his ordinary training time... .