CYCLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11986, 7 June 1902, Page 7

CYCLING.

The Federal Cycling Council, which sat recently in Sydney, decided to affiliate the whole of the Federated Australian leagues as one body with the Union Cycliste Internationale, governing body of the world's championships. The North Canterbury centre of the New Zealand League of Wheelmen has agreed to the recommendations forwarded by the Racing Cyclists' Association with regard to novices being allowed to race without being required to take out licenses and cash-racing cyclists beinnr eligible for seats on tho council. England will not be represented at tho world's cycling championships, to be decided at Rome shortly. The allotment of Australian championships by the Federal Cycling Council resulted as follows:—Quarter-mile, West Australia; half-mile. South Australia; one mile, New South Wales; five' miles, _ Victoria; 10 miles, Queensland; and the international championships as follows:—Quar-ter-mile, New South Wales; half-mile, Victoria; one mile, South Australia; 10 miles, West Australia. Chatting recently with a member of the staff of the Melbourne Sportsman, W. Martin mentioned the time put up by Lesna in the Paris-Roubaix road race, 166 miles in 9h. 32im.. an average of about 17£ miles per hour. Martin did not consider the time remarkably good, and said that he believed he could hold his own with him. In venturing this opinion Martin does not appear to be overstepping the mark, as it will be remembered that in the Warrnambool to Melbourne race (165 miles) last year, the New Zealand road champion,- A. Ralston, covered the distance in 9h. om. 305., an average pace of about 18i miles per hour. In addition to this Lesna had the benefit of single pacing, which is debarred in the Dunlop race. Thus it will be seen that for stamina and speed Australasian road riders can hold their own. A motor bicycle endurance run from Boston to New York, a distance of 200 mites, is to be held in a few weeks' time. It is intended to start the run from Boston, taking twe days to reach New York. The bicycle.-, will be graded according to the horse-power, and the test will be run on a time schedule. This event, says the Scientific American, will prove very interesting, and will do much towards advancing the motor bicycle in popular favour, and shewing what it is capable of accomplishing in making a long distance journey over bad roads. Martin and Beauchamp, the known racing cracks, who left Melbourne by the French mail boat on the 15th hist, for Europe, should arrive at Marseilles about June 16. They intend disembarking at that port, and travelling north to Paris by rail. Both riders have taken homo training machinos, and-will endeavour to keep fit during the run to Marseilles by plenty cf riding and skipping. Martin, speaking on the mail boat previous to departure, stated that he was confident that both Beauchamp and he would give a good account of themselves during their stay on the Continent. Both riders expect to be away about six months, returning hero in time for next season s To clean a dirty chain by brushing it with a stiff brush or even continually rubbing it with a cloth is not a good practice. These methods merely force grit into the joints, and unless thoroughly washed in benzine afterwards, will prove a fruitful source of wear. I find that beyond a -egula;- lubrication, the chain requires but little attention other than proper adjustment, and that a chain may be extremely uirty externally is not to say that it is 111 bad running Sufficient lubrication, according to the

amount of work it does, and constant supervision of the tension are the two essentials. Perfect alignment of the chain wheels is imperative. , Treatment for the outer surface of the links of the chain should be some form of lubricant that has "body" or consistency, and yet one which will not hold dust too easily. But the internal bearing surfaoes require a different lubricant, and should not be forgotten. Good sperm oil has been found to be effective and lasting, and the best method to apply it is to oil the chain overnight, when it will find its way into the joints, leaving that portion of the chain coming into contact with the sprockets fairly dry. The heavy lubricant should be applied in the morning, and pure tallow will bo found excellent for the purpose. Rubbed on the inside surface of the chain, it imparts to it a smoothness of running that is most satisfactory.