CYCLING NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 2851, 20 June 1896, Page 2 (Supplement)

CYCLING NOTES.

The formation of tho Touring Club in this city is direeriy the outcomo of the disgraceful Way in Which the New Zealand Cyclists 3 Alliance and tho Cyclists* Union have (not) discharged their functions aS set forth in their constitutional rules. So far as the Alliance is concerned; it has devoted itself almost solely to thq racing section, and the result has beeii the framing of rules which only tend to hinder the 1 true interests of the sport and to hamper its racing members unnecessarily. But it is the touring and every-day members (if I may use such a term) who have even greater cause for complaint, and these are by far the larger section; These members join olubsi under the p'ronnse, according to the Alliance rules, of securing advantages they could not obtain did they not belong to such. How has the Alliance fulfilled its promises? has.it done; during an existence of 14 years, “ to secure d fair and equitable administration of justice as regards tho rights of cyclists on public roads**? what to obtain “tho more efficient supervision and maintenance of the roads throughout the Colony”? “to watch the course of any legislative or other proposals affecting the interests of the cycling public, and to make such representations on the subject as occasion may demand”? “to consider the relation between cyclists and the railway authorities, with a view of securing—if thought necessary—modifications 01 the tariff fCr the carriage of cycles; and greater security in their conveyance ”? or “to encourage and facilitate touring”? These are soitie of its rules, arid tho instances where the Alliance has acted in matters concerning cyclists generally can be counted on one hand.. .Greneritlly Speaking oUr roads are execrable; the by-laws elf some counties likewise, while the railways have no regular charges and Wretched facilities for tho carriage of wheels; A conference of the county councils of the Colony will be held in this city shortly, and tho question of the regulation of cycle ■ traffic will be considered. Ho the Alliance interid to offer any suggestions to or take any part in that fionfefecce ? And what has been said of the Alliance applies alrflcst equally to the Cyclists* Uniori. Lot us hop© that the New Zealand Cycling Tourists* Club will be more alive to its duties. I believe it will, for the initiators are some of them gentlemen who already belong to clubs affiliated to tho Alliance, but who are disgusted at the lack of attention paid to their interests by that body.

A father unusual incident Was witnessed in the suburb of NeWtortil on Monday. A well-known lady cyclist, who is a strong fidet and pedals a Yankee wheel fitted with a 6Sin geaf, was bowling comfortably along EiddifOrd street, when she passed a raw-looking rider on his cushion-tyred mount geared to 60in or something less. The embryo Zimmerman felt somewhat hurt by the way in which the lady was leaving him in the rear; and resented her action by ducking his head and throwing his legs into all manner of contortions, iu ait endeavour to Overtake her. But tho lady, all unconscious of the struggle going on some twenty yards astern, still kept at the head of affairs, and the vanquished one retired from the contest by darting down a a side street; along which he thoughtfully and sorrowfully peddled his way.

Mr Bennett, of Johnsonville, has offered, if sufficient inducement is held out by those interested, to lay down a cycling track at a cost of .£3O in that suburb before tho Exhibition track is opened. A track worthy of the name could not, however, be laid for the amount stated, and in consequence local wheelmen have decided to help on the Athletic Park track.

I think Wellington holds the record for the number of cycling clubs formed in one week. During that period three sprang into existence, viz,, the Wellington Cash Club, tho New Zealand Cyclists’ Touring Club and the Working Men’s Club Cycling Club.

Shelly Bay is becoming more and more popular with local cyclists, and on Saturday afternoon and Sunday there was a continuous stream of wheelers wending their way around the bays. 0 wing to the sand-drifts, the Queen’s Drive is being avoided somewhat. A fence to keep the sand from drifting on to the road at these spots could be erected at a small cost, and would prove a boon not only to cyclists, but also to vehicular traffic.

There are no better roads for cycling in the North Island than are to be found in the Wairarapa district. Yet a writer in that district, referring to a shipment of American wheels received by Messrs Graham and Co., states that they are altogether too light for tho roads in that district. And this notwithstanding the fact that 231 b American mounts are being daily ridden about Wellington “roads,” and are standing the strain well.

The Australian Cyclist of May 28th (sent me by a friend) contains an excellent view of the new Hampden Track in Sydney. It is some time since I had the pleasure of perusing this up-to-date little Melbourne weekly, and tho improvement of late is very marked. It is profusely illustrated, its reading matter is well selected, and its value as an advertising medium may be judged by the large number of cycle dealers who are represented.

At Lancaster Park on the 10th Inst., H. Thompson, paced by tandems, lowered the 10-mile record to 23min 31seo, beating the previous time by 30seo.

The Wellington Cash Club has certainly started well in the matter of patron, presidents, &o. I hope tho Club will meet with the same success all through.

The Wellington correspondent of the New Zealand Wheelman, who is so distrustful of things in general, and of his own optics in particular, has persuaded himself that there was something very vulgar in the recent account in the Mail of a Sunday ride by a number of local cyclists. To compensate for his natural dimness, he has resorted to artificial aid, and hence his propensity for seeing and reading double, especially when perusing the pages of the New Zealand Mail. It is noticeable, however, that in the same issue in which he babbles of “ wit ” and “vulgarity” he has a par. which, if not vulgar, is certainly not witty. There was not a semblance of vulgarity in the “ narrative ” to which he takes exception, and which was supplied by a valued contributor.

The Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club have decided to lay down a track in Cook’s Gardens.

The University Cycling Club has just been formed in Dunedin, with a membership of <lO.

The recent spell of good cycling weather bas kept local dealers very busy. Messrs Inglis Bros, have done especially well, and in the matter of ladies’ wheels and lamps and bells they have been unable to meet the demand. This week they are opening up a large shipment of sundries, and belated wheelmen riding without lights will no longer be able to excuse themselves on the ground that lamps are not to be obtained.

A movement is on foot to hold a relay race from Sydney to Melbourne. The project was started by the Australian Cyclist, and the race will be under the patronage of the Governors of Victoria and New South Wales. The date has not yet been fixed, but the conditions are that each relay will ride 20 miles with the message, which will be sent by Lord Hampden to Lord Brassey. Pacing by single machines will be allowed, and each carrier of the dispatch will be accompanied by an assistant, whc will carry on the dispatch in case of accident. The route will be divided into first, second and third class sections, according to the condition of the road, and the riders to make the fastest times over each of these section? will be

awarded a new bicycle as a prize. In addi tion the promoters will give a five-guinea medal for the most meritorious ride.:

The question of whether the bicyclist or the pedestrian would prove the victor has often been discussed, and the general opinion *s that the runner would win. The following note from Mr J. Kenua, secretary of the Central Queensland Amateur Athletic Association, to the Sydney Referee goes to show, however, that the contest would be very even: —*' Some time ago, with the object of introducing the novelty of a race between a cyclist and pedestrian at 100 yards, I induced our fastest cyclist to give me several trials against the watch, with the following results * 100yds, starting himself, 11 4-ssec \ 100yds, usual push olf, 10 2-Dsecj 100yds, flying start, S-lscc.'

j; W. Parsons received .£SOO from public subscriptions before leaving Australia.

In Sydney a short time ago nine cyclists were fined 10s 6d each,- one for omitting to ring his bell when passing a person in the street, and the other eight for riding at night without lights.

li. A; Simpson, the Parramatta crack; has been suspended for a month on the charge of pacing W, 3lartin, the American, in a handicap race. He was also further suspended for two months for showing disrespect to the Pacing Board.

Significant par. from Sydney Bulletin: — “ ‘ Phormi ’ predicts that in two years or less 90 per cent, of Melbourne racing men will be riding either American or locallymade machines. The talk of the dressingroom, he says, points emphatically to this/* Apropos to this statement it may be mentioned that Neil Matterson and W. Martin are now riding the Dux machine, made in Melbourne, while Plthcr rides a KudgeWhitworth, and Porta an Electra.

It is rumoured that McLeod, a Yankee flyer who was very successful on the path last season, will bo in Australia in timo for the next big racing season, and will rido a l(i.Ub American mount.

The homely dish of " ctiriy and rice ” is at tunes rather warm, but it is not often to be found on the bill of faro at a raco mooting. &ii«h was the. case,-however, at tho bicycle sports at Williamstowri (Victoria)' recently, when tho spectators wore treated to a plentiful supply of Curry and Kice. Tho majority of the events wore captured by these two warm customers.

The peculiarity of Martin's new Dux race is that the frame is Sin higher at the back than iil f he’ front, while' the seat-post is slightly curved at the lower end, similar to the Keating wheel of America.- Tho machine weighs 211 b.

I do not for an instant hold that the bicycle is goiilg to redeem the world or turn the rising generation into an army of saints, but I do know froifl personal experience that the bby who rides a bicycle and comes to school with a healthy glow on his face, that means a good circulation and a hearty appetite, produced by exercise in God's fresh air and God's fresh sunshine, is a much more tractable lad than the same boy when he is allowed to mope aroUffd the house or tho corner grocery, listening to the vile stories of vile men, or concocting some devilry of own. And not ouly is he more learns more, he is a better boy, and will make a better man.—A writer in WomanI*hnl:

A quadracyclo,* composed of two tandem bicycles arranged side by aide, has been brought out in Paris to serve as' a fire engine in cases of emergency. It is worked by° four men, and is supplied with the necessary hose pipes and fittings, which occupy the space between the riders. On reaching the scone of action it will be the work of a minute to bring the hose pipes xiito play on the fire. It is estimated that nearly 4000 gallons of water can be brought into play per hoUtv This machine has, it is said, an advantage in speed over the present fire engine.

On April 15th, at the Coronado Beach track. Col., W. Edwards reduced the halfmile professional tmpaced record, flying start, to 54 3-ssec.

—Cyclometer ” in the N*Z. Mail.