THE WHEEL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1202, 15 March 1895, Page 26

THE WHEEL.

, W.C.C. RUNS AND RACES. March 16.—Run to Porirua March 30. —Handicap Road Race, Taita to Telephone Exchange

SPOKES.

By “ Cyclometer.” _ Mr W. Chegwidden, hon secretary of the ■Wellington Cycling Club, has received word from the secretary of the Napier Wanderers 5 Bicycle Club that their annual handicap road race from Waipawa to Napier (about 40 miles) will take place on Good Eriday, starting from the former place at 2 p.m. The entries close on the 30th inst., and the Napier cyclists will be pleased to see any visiting wheelmen competing. Members of the Wellington Cycling Club are reminded of the run to Porirua tomorrow. Should the weather be fine, there will doubtless be a good attendance, as this is one of the most pleasant' of our suburban rides. A start will be made from the?club-room at 2 p.m. Eighteen cyclists took part in the local Cycling Club’s moonlight ride to Island Bay on Thursday last week. In spite of the high wind blowing at the time, the wheelmen were delighted with their spin. On Saturday afternoon the members of the Wellington Cycling Club acted upon my suggestion last week with regard to the Queen’s Drive, and showed their pleasure at its completion by abandoning their run to Seatoun in favour of a ride round the drive. Notwithstanding the high wind, 20 cyclists took part in the run. The road was in very good-order for cycling, and the outing was thoroughly enjoyable. During the ride a splendid view was obtained of the German warship Bussard steaming out of the Heads. A photograph of the group of wheelmen was taken by L. T. Herbert at Kilbirnie.

Last Sunday was an ideal day for cycling 1 , with a bright sun shining, a beautifully clear atmosphere, and a light, bracing northerly wind blowing. And the local cyclists were not slow to take advantage of the opportunity of visiting* the suburbs under such favourable circumstances. A large number rode up the Hutt Valley, while smaller parties proceeded to Lowry Bay, Porirua, Karori, and round the newlyformed Queen’s Drive. F. Hadfleld won the five-mile bicycle road race into Palmerston from Mr Knight’s residence on the Rangitikei line, between members of the Palmerston Club. Andrews, who was second, was but a few inches behind. Mr C. Curtis returned to Stratford last week after a two months’ bicycle tour. He was accompanied by Mrs Curtis, and they proceeded to Nelson, and from thence cycled down the West Coast, over the ranges into Canterbury, and down south as far as Dunedin, a ride of about 500 miles. Mrs Curtis is, 1 beiieve, the first lady who has done this journey on a bicycle, and she has every reason to be proud of the feat she has accomplished. Cyclists of the sterner sex find the West Coast tour rough riding, and Mrs Curtis has given another instance of what can be accomplished on a bicycle by a lady with energy and pluck. * A meeting of the Wairarapa Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club was held last week. Messrs L. Richards, N. Owen and Clements were elected new members. It was decided to place the track on the Oval in order immediately. The club will hold their sports meeting on 28th March, at which the following bicycle events are to be run : —One-mile Maiden, Mile Handicap, Three-mile Handicap, and Five-mile Handicaj). There will also be 11 pedestrian events. Entries close to-morrow. H. J. Pither, the speedy member of the Christchurch Pioneer Club, won the Threemile First-class Handicap from scratch at the Dunedin Cycling Club’s sports last Saturday. R. E. Emerson (Dunedin), 130yds, wa3 second, R. McKenzie (Otago), llOyas, being third. Pither also won the Ten-mile Provincial Championship, EmerJ?eing* second, and McKenzie third.

At the Eltham sports last Friday the Mile Bicycle Race was won by F. Brightwell, Wilson being second. Norris won the Three-mile Bicycle Race, and Brightwell secured second place.

There were several mishaps to a party ol our wheelmen on the Petone road on Sunday last. The chain-bolt of Brand’s machine broke, smashing the gear-case, and necessitating- his return to town. remainder of the party had not proceeded far when a collision occurred between Fabian and Brodie, the fo rmer’s being buckled. Later on Jeffries collided with Beckingsale, but the damage was only slight. °

The Egmont Cycling Club expect to have their cement track ready for the Caledonian Society’s sports at Easter.

!n connection with the recent Adelaide Wheel Race meeting the authorities advertised, “All dogs found on the track will be destroyed.” »

A ladies’ cycling club has been formed in Melbourne. The members have decided that at present it would not be opportune for them to don “ rationals.”

Cyclists will now be able to test their speed within their homes. An ingenious contrivance for this purpose has been brought out in England. Two men mount bicycles side by side, which are raised slightly off the ground by a stand. A band is attached to each machine, and it runs round a wheel fixed to a small table, on which is a circular track with two miniature model cycles on it. In proportion to the rate at which the cyclists pedal, so the model which is attached increases or diminishes its speed.

The latest wonderful invention from America! The Daily Chronicle has been informed that an American inventor (the majority of our American cousins appear to be inventors) has patented a bicycle which is fitted with a gasoline-tank holding sufficient ether to drive the bicycle 100 miles. A two-horse power engine weighing 21b drives the bicycle, and a speed of 60 miles an hour can be attained. The total weight of the machine is 601 b. The N.S.W. League of Wheelmen has received the largest number of entries for their meeting which have ever been received in Australasia. At latest advices they numbered 361, and were expected to total 500 when those from its branches came in. L. A. Middows, an English cyclist, has entered for the championship events, and his appearance lias created no small stir among the Australian riders. Boyd and Soanes, the Christchurch men, will represent New Zealand. A Melbourne civil servant has invented a cycle which is expected to travel at the rate of 60 miles an hour. Johnson, the American champion cyclist, has ridden two miles in 3min 54 3-ssec on a cement track. At the recent Chicago Show there was a bicycle weighing 81b, the production of the Block Company, of Erie. It had all the appearance of a regular road cycle. Sanger, the American crack wheel man, is to receive 700 dollars for riding a bicycle of a new make. ■ ; ' ' . The New York Tyre Company showed at the Chicago Show the lightest tyre ever built. It weighed only a quarter of an ounce —at least, so an American paper says. It is reported that 26in wheels are becoming very popular in America. From 3000 to 5000 people attended every day’s racing at the Chicago Show, and the betting (which is becoming all too prominent at cycling sports) was often very keen on the result of some of the races. Dr A. I. Brown, of Cleveland, is the holder of the world’s quarter-mile record of 28 2-ssec. It is estimated that 2 per cent, of the English people ride cycles. In London alone there are 200,000 cyclists.