THE WHEEL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1196, 1 February 1895, Page 25

THE WHEEL.

W.C.C. RUNS AND RACES. February 2. —Run to Taita February 9. —Fifty-milo Club Championship Road Race March 2. —Run to Seatoun March 16. —Run to Porirua March 30. —Handicap Road Race, Taita to Telephone Exchange spqkes7~ By “ Cyclomerer.” The lady cyclist who wrote to a contemporary in defence of the alleged rudeness of the genus small hoy is certainly the most generous of her sex; for, so far as my experience goes, the small boy is always “agin” innovations,and as a wordy barracker of “ Daisy ” (as he affectionately calls the fair cyclist), has proved himself in the mass, to my ears, a very objectionable quantity. It is difficult to contradict the generous pleadings of a lady. I have before noted in this column examples of the generosity of cyclists, and herewith, in quoting part of the lady’s letter, is one more instance shown: —“ ... It is

generally considered the small boy’s prerogative to make himself a nuisance whenever opportunity offers, and also to demonstrate his approval or disapproval of all innovat ons. Conceding this, it was not without certain misgivings as to the amount of ‘barracking’ I might l'eceive that I started my rides abroad. But I was agreeably disappointed. I have found the boys remarkably civil everywhere, and as I ride at all times and in all directions my experience is not inconsiderable. Interested spectators of course they are ; so are their elders ; but rude they certainly are not. — I am, &c., L. A. Treadwell.”

At a meeting of members of the Wellington Cycling Club last week, it was decided not to hold the annual sports this season, as tho Basin Reserve will be engaged for cricket and other sports until late in the season. That portion of the Wellington public who attend athletic gatherings were looking forward to this meeting, and I have heard expressions of disappointment on every hand. - Given a fine day, the success of the gathering would have been assured, and it is to be regretted that the scarcity of ground here should have caused the fixture to fall through. The Club will make an effort to hold a sports meeting earlier in the next season, probably in November or December.

A cyclist was recently fined at the Guildhall for running down a pedestrian, the alderman remarking that persons who attempted to ride bicycles in the city were devoid of common sense.

At the amateur athletic sports at Palmerston North on Anniversary Day, the One-mile and Two-mile Bicycle races were won by Wollerman, Croft winning the Five-mile.

The local Cycling Club will hold a run to the Taita to-morrow afternoon, starting from the clubroom at 2.30.

The Wellington Amateur Athletic Club’s programme for their meeting on March 2nd is published. Seventeen events will be run, including four bicycle races.

A strange theft of a bicycle was recently effected in London. A gentleman advertised his machine for sale. A well-dressed gentleman called to see the bicycle at the advertiser’s lodgings just after he had left for his office, which was situated in the West End. “What time would he be be home?” asked the supposed buyer. “Ah! not till 6 o’clock. Then I’ll call at his city address.” About an hour afterwards the advertiser’s landlady received a telegram bearing her lodger’s name, to the effect that he had arranged with the gentleman who had called, and she was to

deliver up the machine as soon as the purchaser arrived. A little more than half an hour after the wire had been received the gentleman called, and stated that he had settled with her lodger, and had come for the bicycle. On the strength of the telegram, the landlady handed over the machine without question.

Surman and Pilkington have been selected to r epresent the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club in the cycling events at the Napier Championship Meeting on tlio 22nd and 23rd inst.

Messrs T. Cashion and 11. Vile, two Pahiatua cyclists, rode from Pahiatua to Masterton on Saturday last, returning on Sunday. They had a lively experience while passing through the hush fires, and at Eketahuna were nearly suffocated by the smoke and heat.

The New South Wales League of Wheelmen will probably hold a sports meeting on March 30 and April 6. Ther will be nine cycling events, and the pi'izes will amount to .£363.

The spectacle of a man riding a bicycle and driving a number of horses through Carterton the other day attracted considerable attention.

The Ashburton Amateur Cycling and Athletic Club will hold a meeting on Easter Monday, the programme consisting of nine bicycle and five pedestrian events.

In Russia cyclists are not allowed to ride without holding the handles of their machines. A rider was recently fined for so doing.

The Dunedin Cycling Club hold their annual meeting at an early date next month.

• • • A Cyclist’s Windfall. A punctured tyro!

The Gisborne Cycling Club will hold a sports meeting this month.