THE WHEEL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1211, 17 May 1895, Page 28

THE WHEEL.

SPOKES.

By “Cyclometer.” Is it a sin for the cycling writer to accept anything in the cycle line, from a first-class machine to the latest thing in trouser-clips, in return for an article or a par. dealing with the merits or demerits of the article forwarded ? This question is greatly agitating the iqinds of several writers at Hpm.e. The Pharisaical section rjrise their hands in horror at those writers who are hnown to have been so fortunate as to haye had “ the latest thing ” sept to them for “ review,” while the other section points to the precedent of the literary men who accept boohs for review, It seems to he a case of sour grapes with those who “never descend to such practices.” One writer asserts that he knew an editor who accepted a .£32 tricycle for mentioning a certain make of machine in his leader on one occasion. Unfortunately, “Cyclometer ” has never had the opportunity of endeavouring to reconcile 'his conscience with the acceptance of any “ cycleality ” for review, but he hastens to inform those who may intend to favour him that he will no doubt be able to come to an amicable arrangement with his conscience. His view of the case is that the agent or manufacturer who is liberal enough to send along a firstrclass cycle for review would be the most likely man to treat his customers liberally. “ Thanking you in anticipation, I remain,” &c.

An instance of cycling run mad was recently given at the opening run of the season of a weil-kpown club in London.

The weather was horribly cold and wet’ but notwithstanding this the captain and one member of the club were at the start-ing-point up to time. After waiting threequarters of an hour, in the hope that more members would put in an appearance, these two asses determined to carry out the programme themselves. Before they had covered two miles they were soaked to the skin. The member gave up half-way, but the skipper resolved to go the full distance, with the result that he had to lay up for a week. Oh, what a pair of lunatics!

Ladies interested in cycling matters will find a note upon its progress amongst the ladies of England in “ Miss Colonia’s Letter ” in the Ladies’ Pages of this issue. A list of the latest patrons from the ranks of royalty is also given.

J. E. Snell, of Adelaide, has ridden 245-a----miles in 23$ hours, thus breaking the Australasian record, which was held by A. Duff, of Christchurch, viz., 227 miles in 24 hours. Snell started from Adelaide with the intention of lowering S. F. Toms’ record between that city and Kingston, which was 20hr 38min, the distance being 186 miles, and this Snell managed to cover in 16hr lOmin.

The Orient liner Oroya, which recently stranded near Naples, had on board 400 cycles for Australia.

According to the Bulletin, Quong Tart, the well-known Chinese trader of Sydney, has been elected an officer of one of the cycling clubs in that city. During a speech at a club function lately, he said:—“He hoped the members of the League would act - honourably in their racing, and have no shinanniking. (Laughter.) If they raced straight out from the shoulder they were bound to get on. (Yells.) If they did this they would knock cricket into a cocked hat. (Paralysis.) ” Oh !

In a 100 kilometers race Robertson and Huret broke the world’s record for 90 kilometers. Robertson won the race in 2hrs 21min 20 l-ssec, beating Huret by a couplo of lengths. One hundred kilometers are about equal to 62 miles.

The Victorian Tariff Commission has recommended that the present duty of 25 per cent, on cycles be reduced to 10 per cent. This is no doubt the result of the agitation on the part of cyclists over “ the other side” against this iniquitous tax. Some of the manufacturers in this Colony are endeavouring to get the duty raised, and have approached the Tariff Commission on the subject. I suppose they will get their own way, while the Cyclists’ Alliance and the Cyclists’ Union will' still slumber. The cycling bodies of New Zealand are very slow compared with those of Australia.

The prize money for the Grand Prix this year will probably amount to £IOOO. A prize of 1000 francs (£4O) is to he given to the journalist who writes the best account of the race. The report is to be written entirely in French! Methinks if English journalists compete they will make use of a lot of bad French ! The exportation of cycles to Victoria in 1894 amounted to over £37,000, while the total for Australia was nearly £82,000. The new cycling paper, devoted to the interests of ladies indulging in the pastime, has been started in London. The paper is styled The Lady Cyclist. The League of Hew South Wales Wheelmen have adopted the following definition of a roadster : —“A roadster shall be: tyres lfin, weight not less than 281 b, and gear not less than 64in.” J. H. Reeves recently tried to lower J. E. Snell’s record from Adelaide to Melbourne, the distance being 685 miles, and for which Snell’s time is 771 hours. After riding 350 miles in 32-£ hours, Reeves was overcome by sleep, and became dazed. His pace dwindled down to the rate of three-mile an hour, and at Geelong he gave in, completely knocked up for the want of sleep. He slept for seven hours, and finally completed his journey in 88hr lOmin. And what did he endure all this for ? Merely for the possible satisfaction of being able to say that he had got over the ground a few minutes quicker than another cyclist! Bamboo bicycles weighing 241 b are being turned out at Wolverhampton for £ls. Cyclists in Chemnitz, Saxony, are not allowed jjo carry infants fixed in front of thepi 011 tbeir bipydps. The apthopitips denounce the practice as a dangeroiis one. The rough skins of sharks and spotted dogfishes are being made U§P of in the manufacture of pneumatic tyres to prevent' Side-slipping. V * ? ? An electric cycle lamp weighing only 21b has been placed on the market by an American electrical company. One charge is sufficient to supply the light for three or four hours, and the material for recharging is sold at a trifling cost. The lamp is fixed in the ordinary manner, and the operation of refilling is very simple.