24-HOUR RIDE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23200, 21 November 1938, Page 14

24-HOUR RIDE

RELIABILITY TBIAL MOTOR-CYCLING ,EVENT 512 TROUBLE-FREE MILES Demonstrating the dependability of the modern motor-cycle; a 21-hour reliability trial over a course of 512 niiles, conducted by' the Auckland .Motorcycle C£tb during the week-end, was completed by * the nino -'competitors without the necessity for a tool kit or punctnro outfit being opened. None o'l the riders met with any mishap, and, after being in their saddles, except for brief meal intervals, for all but 21 hours, they, arrived back safely, but looking extremely tired. The trial was the annual contest staged by the club for the John Bull Cup and other, pr.izes. It was started at 2.40 on Saturday afternoon from the clubrooms, opposite the Town Hall, and tho riders were despatched at minute intervals. . ' ' . < . Secret Checks Along Route The competitors rodo to Thames, via Taupiri, Orini, Tali una and, Ngatea, and after an liour'« stop for- tea, wont through a • restart test before proceeding to Waihi, Tauranga, Matamata and Hamilton, and back in the early hours yesterday morning to'Thamcs for breakfast. The riders then, wont *to C'oroglen and back to Thames for lunch, after whiph the return journey was made through New Brighton, Clevedon and Whitford. At 18 different points along the route, secret checks were made, on which to compute the capabilities of the riders, and the result of tho trial will not be availfiblo until the checks are completed. Speedometers and watches were not permitted, and only moderate speeds were allowed. Dust Causes Nuisance Dust caused the greatest inconvenience to tho riders, and a light shower of rain was experienced at about one o'clock yesterday morning, while they were riding over the Kaimai Hills, whero tho worst stretch of road was also encountered. A slip covering tho road, and allowing only enough room for a cycle to' .get through, was also negotiated some distance north of NewBrighton. All the competitors finished within about 10 minutes, tho first arriving at 2.20 yesterday afternoon. The riders were Messrs. C. H. Brindlo, It. Burns, J. Dale, V. Dixon, C. Keofe, W. Marrett, C. E. PUitnmer, R. E. Riddell and S. Wintcrburne.