SPOKES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1266, 4 June 1896, Page 26

SPOKES.

By " CtcijOmetek." Photography and cycling might veil bo termed twin pastimes; tho ono invariably loads to tho other. The cyclist who leaves tho busy hum of tho city and spins out to tho suburbs to enjoy tho pure air and rural scenes brings tho camera to his aid in order to retain a more tangible representation of tho scenes through which he passes than would be possible otherwise, while tho photographer often avails himself of the wheel to enable him to reach his pastoral shooting galleries. Many of tho English cycle agencies, recognising that the camera and tho cyclo go hand in hand, also run a photographic department. Wellington cyclists are not behind in this matter, and the various groups of wheelers generally have a camera-fiend among their number. Those who aro interested in photography will find something to interest them in another portion of this issue.

Shelly Bay is becoming a very popular resort among Wellington cyclers. On Saturday afternoon there wero over 50 round thero, 12 of them being ladies. On Sunday tho number was even larger. The road at present is as smooth as a track, and as no heavy traffic crosses it, tho road will continue good for some time. The gate near the Torpedo Corps' quarters was locked, much to the disappointment of many. The road, however, was only rideable for about another half-mile. The "snapshotter" was in evidence, and got in some good work. The ride around Oriental Hay, Evans Bay, Sholly Bay and the Queen's Drive makes a very enjoyable 18-milo spin.

Mi' Wali'miian points out to me that, while the lii-<>in,vj I'ud erroneously heads its account of Thompson's recent attack mi Fabian's record "The Wellington-Napier Cycling Record," it omits [<> credit him (Wakeman) with I he record.

On Monday (Queen's Birthday) a party of local cyclists', consisting of Mr and Mrs Sullivan, Mr .1. Redmond and .Miss O. Redmond,proceeded to l''eatherslon by the early train, and alter a short stay at thai township, they mounted their wheels for

tho return ride over the Rinuilaka Range. Notwithstanding the heavy state of the roads, Iho party reached town in good tini", after a very enjoyable ride. A.; Miss Redmond lias only been riding for about two months, the fact that she rodo the 50 miles of ibis somewhat rough journey without the least sign of exhaustion speaks woll of her ability as a rider, and is also a testimony to the running qualities of the modern bicycle.

The Ilutf County Council has written to tho Wellington Cycling Club on tho subject of framing cycle by-laws. Tho matter was considered at a committee meeting last night. The committee, also considered tho laying of a track, ami matters connected with the recent sports meet.

It has been suggested to me that recordsmasher Thompson's recent feat on (or off) tho wheel should be recorded as an historical incident, not so much on account of tho ride as tho number of croppers he is alleged to have had. There are tho Seven W r onders of tho World, Seven Hills of Rome, thero were Seven Wise Men of Grcoce, Seven Sleepers, and—Thompson's Soven Spills.

I Mr S. E. Wright, of Lambton quay, for- • wards mo a '9G catalogue of the famous i American Barnes machines. 1 have seen j many tastefully-executed lists, but I must I give' this one the palm. On the cover is ian exquisitely-embossed design of the i Barnes emblem, which consists of a white j bicycle wheel with a pair of white wings attached to the spindle. The lettering is j in gold, and tho "hole design, which looks like a delicate working in wax, is so

" speaking," that Hie words " The White Flyer " seem superfluous. The letterpress" and the illustrations of the various wheels are in the very best American style, than which there, is none bettor. And the machines aro of a. like high order of merit. The beautiful white enamelled gold-lined roadster (23i11' weight) was no sooner put together than if was purchased, but only on condition that it was allowed to remain on view in Mr Wright's office up to the time of the departure of the next 'Frisco mail. Since then there has been a continuous stream of cyclists, and those who hope to become such, to examine the machines, and 1 hoar that numerous orders have been booked. Mr Wright has also a sample lady's Barnes, which is enamelled white and gold-lined. The chief features of theso machines aro the cranks and axle, which are in one piece, thus doing without, the objectionable cotter pin, and are easily detached; another feature is the neat and simple method of adjusting the handle-bar and seat-post. The weights aro 171 b for path racer, 191 b for road racer, 231 b lady's. A two-speed gear, which works in the back hub, can be fitted to the Barnes for £k Mr Wright has also two sample " Worlds," which appear to lie of equal quality to tho Barnes, although they aro lower-priced machines. They are enamelled maioon and gold-lined, tho axle and cranls being identical with the Barnes, but the old method of adjusting tho handle-bar, &c, is retained, while tho weights are a trifle higher, the roadster scaling 251 b. All these machines are fitted with Morgan and Wright doubletube quick-repair tyres. A lady patron has spoken so highly of the quick-repair device in theso tyros, that Mr Wright has decided to import American machines fitted with theso tyres iu preference to thososhod with Dunlops.

Asphalting must be very dear in this Colony, if this statement in a Sydney paper is correct. Tho paper announces that tho Woollongong branch of tho League of Now South Wales Wheelmen intended Hying an asphalt track at a cost of about X'Bo. Tho Timaru track cost over .£3OO, and others a like high figure.

Royal patronage is generally believed to ho an honour most to be coveted in connection with most industries. It is not so, howover, in tho cycle trade, as tho following from a Sydney agent's advertisement testifies: " Bili Mar'in, champion of America and Australia, rides a Humbcr, so does His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales." Talk about the levelling influence of the wheel!

E. C. Stearns and Co., of Syracuse, U.S.A., write, me that they are sending a representative around the Australasian colonies to place their wheel.;, and that he will be hero shortly.

Last week at the Magistrate's Court four local wheelmen were each fined 5s and 7s costs for riding on the footpath at Fatwarm. lam told that more than four names were taken by Ihe constable. If so, why were not the others summoned ? If cyclists want to avoid the muddy " road " between town and Polone they bad better board 1 he train.

The bicycle track which if is proposed (<> lay in the" grounds of tic Wellington 15 xhihition will have an asphalt surface. It will be oval shaped, six laps to the mile, and the present intention i; to bank il six feet. For fast and safe riding, however, it will bo necessary to bank it another four

"The Hampden Cycling, Hiding and Driving Club" was recently formed at a largely-attended meeting held at the Town Hall, Sydney. The aim of tho Club, which started with excellent prospects and £hlo in hand, was, to quote Mr Burdekin, "the bringing together of their nicest people in the nicest way." His Excellency Lord Hampden was elected patron, Lady Barley president, ami Messrs M. H. Stephen, Mrs Prendergast, the Hon G. H. Reid and Mr F. B. Suttor vice-presidents. Tho first meeting of tho Club was fixed to bo held at the "Centennial Park at 3 o'clock on 'Thursday last, and the result of that meet will be found in the subjoined cable message from Sydney.

The Hampden Cycling and Driving Club, recently formed with the object-to quote the words of the originators—" that nice pooplo might meet nice people in tho nicest way," held its first meet at tho Centennial Park, and had an effect which tho promoters never contemplated. Some thousands of people of the baser sort turned up to aoo what tho nicest pooplo woro

like. These plebeian folk did not merely come to see, but, to show that no illfeeling existed, they brought bikes and various other kinds of vehicles from spring traps to fast bowling sulkies, with horses or wrecks of horses attached, whilo those who were merely foot-passengers quizzed tho "nice people." In ono instance a Chinese Zimmerman evidently mistook a distinguished military ofiiccr for a pacemaker by the persistence with which he followed his wheel. Tho sights in many cases were most humorous. Tho meet is sure to be popular with the mass of tho people, but whether tho " nice people " will appreciate such popularity is another story.

The League of Vfctorian Wheelmen aro preparing a complete touring map of Victoria, and are also making arrangements with hotelkeepers and others for a special tariff for meals, beds and general refreshments, for the advantage of all able to produce the league's badge of membership whilo touring. When aro tho New Zealand governing bodies going to arouse from their present lethargic state and do something in this direction? Another matter in which they might exert themselves—if they are capable of exertion—is that of approaching the Government re the erection of finger-posts at cross-roads throughout the Colony.

Three years ago cycling writers were asking the questions, "When will the limit of man's speed on wheels be reached ?" "When will finality bo reached?" and so on, nd lib. These questions aro still unanswered, and judging by tho way tho records are still being cut, they are likely to remain so.

It is said that A. W. Harris made over .£250 in five weeks in Australia. Tho Leicestershire Lad thinks Australia such a paying racing-ground, that ho intends to return next season.

W. Martin, the American, will not loavo Australia—at any rate, not till after next season. He will race for a Melbourne firm in future. During his six months' stay in Australia ho has won over .£SOO.

Before leaving for England, Harris told a Melbourne interviewer that ho was delighted with tho kind treatment ho had met with iu all tho Australian colonics. " You are," bo said, " keen and fair sportsmen, and you treat a stranger just as if ho were one. of your own. lam a bit disappointed at my want of success on several occasions. I could not get into form, aud I believe it was duo to tho climate, which is rather variable and trying to an English athlete. So kindly have 1 been treated that I intend coming back again next season. Your cycling League is a splendid body. It treats riders in a fairer manner than the National Cyclists' Union of England. I only wish your league and its administration could lie removed to England, because it would replace an arbitrary body that has caused a great deal of dissatisfaction amongst racing men."

The Eclipse Bicyclo Company, of Ehnira, New York, have secured a good advertisement for their wheels by the ride of Mr T. Winder, who has recently accomplished a journey of 21,0<X) miles on ono of their machines, the only repairs to tho wheel throughout tho journey being tho repair or replacing of a broken chain. Starting from New Orleans on March 1, 1895, ho rode around the border of tho United States and finished at the starting-point on the loth of the following December. During bis ride be woro out four front tyres, six rear tyres, three cyclometers, five pairs shoes, two suits of clotiiing, and eighteen pairs of stockings.

Mr R. L. Jefferson, who has recently started on a bicycle ride across Siberia, took the precaution to havo his bicycle entirely covered with grey enamel, his reason for so doing being that it would prevent the ignorant peasants from interfering with or making off with the machines under the impression that tho nickel paits were silver.

At the leister races on Wood Green (rack, J. Piatt Letts lowered the quartermile British record fo 25 ■J.-ssoe, and continuing, he established a now mile record of 1.19 1-5. In a ten-mile time trial T. Linton lowered the four, live, six and fenmile records, some of which were shortly afterwards reduced by Piatt Betid. The new liguies stand—

The Yankees an; the greatest advertisers on the face of Llio earth. They make a study of it, and many striking and novel advertisements are to bo met with in looking over American files. Hero is one from a cycle maker who lias been acting upon the injunction to " search the scriplures" to a purpose somewhat less exalted than was intended:—" Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath much wrath? Verily, ho who ownoth a high grade bicycle which costoth him OOdol. and 10 per cent, off for cash. For behold ifc breaketh and casteth him into the dust, yea, oven into the mire, and costeth in the end many pieces of gold. But if your wheel is a "

A couple of modioal gentlemen, who wont for a spin on their bicycles round the Kilbirmo road last week", called at a hotel in tho suburbs, leaving their machines standing by the verandah. When they camo out they found their machines had mysteriously disappeared, and Homo of thoso present suggested that the Newtown ghost, accompanied by another misty being, was seen pedalling away at a furious rate along tho Adelaide road. Tho matter was reported to

the police, but the machines were afterwards found insido the Basin Reserve fence, where, undoubtedly, some being more solid than a ghost had placedthem.

Mr W. A. Thompson, of tho Oamaru Rovers' Cycling Club, in his attempt to lower the Napier-Wellington road record, met with a lot of ill-luck, and had eventually to give up. In his firstoffort, as already recorded, tho chain of tho machine snapped, and, in the second attempt he made excellent time till reaching Woodville, being then two and a half hours ahead of the record. Until reaching Eketahuna, however, he met with very bad roads, and had seven spills, with consequent bruises, while during the night his hands and legs became frost-bitten. He arrived at the Rimutuka at 8 a.m. on Friday, and notwithstanding the bad roads he was .still an hour ahead of tho record. When crossing the Rimutaka Ids tyre was punctured, and though he mounted his pacer's machine fate was against him, for when ho was fairly under way the chain of the machino mounted tho cogs, and as ho had no spanner he lost all the time ho had gained. Mr Thompson came on to town in the evening.

An exchange states that Dr Sheepshanks, tho Anglican Bishop of Norwich, England, is an enthusiastic cyclist, and often rides on Sunday.

CYCLING ON SUNDAY,

.As is customary with a large number of Wellington cyclists, tho Sabbath meet was hold last Sunday. The run was to bo to tho Taita and not to church. The reason for this diversion is not known, but it is believed that some of the cyclists think it is more invigorating to the body, if not to tho mind.

However, at 10.15 a.m. tho cyclists assembled, and after a lot of time had been wasted in getting them placed in striking positions, and in working up their best Sunday smile, an enthusiastic photographer, who is celebrated for his powers of physical endurance when undertaking a task of this magnitude, managed to get a picture of the party. The picture has not yet been developed, but it is expected to have an astonishing result. After passing through tho trying ordeal, the party, numbering about 20, started on their run.

Tho road was very muddy, and consequently slippery, and the run was made very laughable, and therefore enjoyable, by tho numerous spills occasioned thereby. One individual, who is familiarly known by the sobriquet of " Cockey," indulged in a series of tricks on his machino which would have done credit to a professional rider, much to the astonishment and edification of his companions. But tho mighty nearly always fall, and such was the case •with '• Cockey." A train which was passing contained some friends of this rider's, and for their amusement ho indulged in what is termed " gallery" business. Tho result ivas unexpected. At Ngahauianga tho road was very muddy indeed, and " Cockey's " machino slipped and ho was forced to take a most undignified and uncomfortable position in tho mud. To his mind the laughter of his friends was not at all in keejnng with the situation. On tho road tho party was mot by a thoroughly up-to date tandem, ridden by a gentleman accompanied by a well-known lady who wore, bloomers of tho latest and most manly stylo. The way they flitted along was tho causo of much envy. It is said that a number of machines are now for sale cheap, tho owners having decided to speculate in tandems. But thero was ono circumstanco that was freely commented on. Among the crowd of cyclists thero were a number who are noted for their "scorching" abilities. Out nary a machine could bo got to ride in front of tho tandem. Some of tho unsophisticated of tho party are still wondering why.

Milc.-i. lime. I 8.03 ]-. r ) T. Linton .") 10.03 1-3 Linton li 12.07 Linlnii and Hells lied. V 11.08 liettH 8 Ki.ll JJetts :i 18.111 BoUh 10 120.18 2 5 Linton