GIRL CYCLIST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23053, 2 June 1938, Page 11

GIRL CYCLIST

CHAMPION OF AUSTRALIA GREAT DISPLAY OF STAMINA Miss Joyce Barry, champion lady cyclist of Australia, added further lustre to her long and imposing record when she succeeded in lowering tho Launceston-Hobart-Launceston record by 2 hours 53 minutes 5 seconds. She covered 240 miles in 17 hours 31 minutes 30 seconds. This success outshines her SydneyMelbourne record, for, when Major A. A. Evans, M.L.C., sent her off on her long journey, sho was still suffering from the effects of a heavy cold. She wore heavy leg and body warmers, woollen headgear and ear-guar'ds, and woollen gloves. Tho brilliant New South Wales girl cyclist, who is 19 years of age, has gone from" one success to another, and experts of the standing of H. Opperman and 0. Nicholson ore forced to the conclusion that the Australian champion would measure up well with world champion class. The Tasmanian success has inspired Miss Barry to the extent of making an endeavour to secure the Brisbane-Bock-hampton record, which is held by a male rider. In August, 1936, W. Withers, the well-known Queensland rider, rode this vulnerable course, extending over 500 miles of undulating roads, in 79£ hours.

Miss Barry is tho first lady champion cyclist on record who also holds honours at v running, high jumping, hockey, walking and rifle-shooting, and many are of the opinion that she would prove equal to winning a - test among her sex for the all-round Australian athletic title.