MOTOR-CYCLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19298, 10 April 1926, Page 12 (Supplement)

MOTOR-CYCLING.

NEW ZEALAND. CHAMPIONSHIP. C. Goodwin, riding an A.J.S. was again in form at Napier on Monday, when he won the New Zealand Lightweight Championship. C. Lowe (Zenith), was second with Viggers (Harley-Davidson), third. Goodwin established a new world's record for tho mile against adverso conditions at tho recent Takapuna meeting. A SAFETY LIGHT. Riding in town does not, as a rulo, call for full power from tho electric headlamps of such combinations as are fitted with them; usually, tho dim filament suffices. This light, in addition to tho average sidecar lamp, is sufficient for indicating one's presence, which, after all. is tho main thing in lighted streets. The trouble comes in when treading a path through ill-lit thoroughfares where cyclists abound. Without rear-lights and wearing dark clothes, they are almost invisible until too close to bo comfortable. In theso circumstances, the best light is a spot light mounted low down on the front of tho sidecar chassis. When the beam is properly focused and directed, it picks out the cyclist on tho near side of tho road, the pedestrian who will stand in tho gutter for his bus instead of on tho pavement, and nobody can honestly complain of dazzlo. A further point is that the powerful beam attracts the attention of a woolgathering walker far better, than a horn. Such a spotlight might well replaco many an ordinary sidecar lamp, and it could also bo mounted so as to be quickly detachable as an inspection lamp. A NERVE TONia One of the most obvions virtues of motor-cycling is that in a very short space of time, and with a minimum of inconvenience, tho city dweller tan leave his town atmosphere and reach the purer air of the rural" districts. There aro many subtle factors, however, which are not usually appreciated. Tho refreshed feeling experienced after a day's outing in tho country is usually attributed to the change of air. Modern ideas of hygiene tend to show that' the tonic action of a continual circulation of air over tho pores of our skin is of far more importance than a small variation in tho carbon-dioxide or oxygen content of the atmosphere. This circulation of the air is obviously impeded in our crowded cities, hence the advantage of the country. A motor-cycle run is thus equivalent to a sort of atmosphero massage, promoting tho circulation and improving tho complexion. This beneficial tonic action is still greater when rain is beating into one's face. All motor-cyclists are aware of the very pleasant glow experienced after a ride through tho rain, and it is, perhaps, some slight consolation to know that what is looked upon a3 an unpleasant ordeal is also a very fine nervo tonic. 1 IN 5 AMERICANS A MOTORIST. Figures for 1925 show that the number of motor vehicles registered in the United States was just over 20,200,000, an increase of about 14 par cent, on tho 1924 total. This represents one motor vehiclo for every five inhabitants, as against tho one per "thirty-seven inhabitants in England (in 1924^. NOTES. Russian boots aro said to be very popular among lady motor-cyclists and pillion riders. Examination of tho accident statistics in London for tho past year shows that motor-cycles were responsible for 21 deaths," omnibuses for 32, private cars for 58, and heavy commercial vehicles for 76. A correspondent in Chicago reports that the city experienced a record traffic holdup recently, when, during a spell of extremely cold weather, a water main burst. Tho escaping water flooded the roads, and froze many stationary cars in position. The German Motor Cycle Union recently opened the now Avus track in Berlin with a series of International race.s in which F. Longman (A.J.S.), and C. T. Ashby (Zenith)—both prominent British riders—successfully competed. Ashby won tho 250 c.c. class. A London motor-cyclist, whose speedomoter registered 25,000 miles, was asked if ho had been on some long tours. Ho replied in tho negative, explaining that he had actually done about 5000 miles going backward and forward to the city, tance he had covered looking for parkthe remaining 20,000 miles being tho dising places. Following upon the of the new light metal, electron, comes news that yet another lightweight alloy has been produced in America. Tho head of on* of the largest American car concerns states that a new alumininm alloy has been discovered, which is cheaper, lighter and bettor than steel, and ho prophesies that this new metal will soon be nsed extensively in the production of cars and motor-cycles. The motor-cycle is rapidly conquering the world, the advantages of the modern machine making it popular in tho most unexpected places. For example, a demand is now arising in Barbados, where there aro over 500 miles of quite good roads. It is reported that a considerable sum of money is to be spent on these roads during tho next few years, and it is expected that they will bo brought into first-class condition. Thus the present demand for motor-cycles is likely to increase considerably.