THE WHEEL

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 2875, 18 July 1896, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE WHEEL

SPOKES. A cable message from Paris announces that' A. V. Linton, the famous Welsh cyclist, has ridden 31 miles in an hour. It is .but a few weeks since the cable informed us that ho had beaten all previous records by covering 30 miles in 60 minutes. To have added another mile shows that he must be in tip-top fettle. With the advent of the Simpson lover chain, it was predicted that the records would go, but so far it has not met with much success in this direction. It would be interesting to know whether Linton's brilliant ride was accomplished on a Simpson or a plain block chain. Linton first became prominent in the 1893 Cuca Cup race, in the earlier part part of which event he made the pace very warm, and succeeded in getting away from , Shorland. At 110 miles, however, Linton collapsed, and Shorland won the race with ease. He afterwards secured all the Welsh records, and later rode 100 miles in 4hr 29min 39sec and 200 miles in lOhr Imin. Appended are the hour records for 15 different countries. Thanks to H. Thompson, of the Pioneer Bicycle Club, Christchurch, New Zealand is well up in the list. The figures are^-

What a disgraceful state our roads are inj From Island Bay to P.etono there is nothing but mud. On Sunday I saw a cyclist who was go delighted to find a stretch of the public highway not submerged beneath the mud that he could not resist the temptation to “ scorch ” over it, notwithstanding the fact that it had but lately been metalled and that his tyres were iu imminent danger of being cut and gashed in all directions. Wo have had exceedingly little rain this winter, but our roads were never in a more execrable condition. Won’t Councillor Tanner, who, when the state of the roads permits, bestrides a wheel, lift up his voice and use his influence on behalf of his distressed i fellow-cyclists ? It is time the citizens of Wellington, apart from tho cycling community, arose and demanded that our streets bo put in better repair, and kept cleaner during wet weather, for during such periods one cannot step across the street without being bespattered with mud from head to foot.

The Wellington correspondent of New Zealand’s own particular "Cycling Authority of the Southern Hemisphere” might at least have the decency not to write disparagingly of the members of the newly-formed Wellington Cfish Cycling Club, for he, of all local riders (whether cash or amateur), cannot claim to have particularly “clean hands.” Those riders who have joined the cash club have at least acted honestly and openly in thus showing their intention to ride straight out for cash.

How the {high and) mighty have fallen! A Melbourne cycling writer states that he recently saw aa "ordinary ’? doing duty as a stop-gap in a hedge. Tho following somewhat original epistle reaches mo from Stillwater, near Brunnerton, under date the 6th inst. As the missive speaks for itself, I will giye it my readers in full :-r Dear Ciclometes,— l am a lady cyclist, or at least, a girl cyclist, for I am only )5 year, old, hut I can ride my bike aa well as any Indy or gent in Stillwater, though their are 6 lady bicycle riders in Stillwater and 12 gentlemen. All the people marvel to see ire on my wheel, althuug I do not wear bloomers : I think it 1q- kes to masculine. I generaly have a ciggerette between my lips, and when I pass the people say, ” There goes the new woman!”—! am, 4c., E.A.T.C, ” Demon " in the Otago Witness claims for Dunedin the doubtful honour of possessing a road which is easily a champion in tho matter of mnd and general lack of repair. Surely he has never seen nor heard of the Wellinglon-Kaiwarra-Ngahauranga-Petone " road.’’ Two cycling schools have been opened in this city, where beginners will be taught the art of controlling the iron horse with-

out being subject to tho gaze and not always flattering observations of unsympathetic passers-by. Messrs Inglis Bros., of Willis street, have arranged with Mons. de Mey d’Alkcmade for the use of his gymnasium during certain hours, and the lirillshed has been secured by Mr H. i’eacock, an instructor who has recently arrived from Australia.

Christchurch riders are greatly agitated over the fact that one of their number recently crossed the Kirnutaka range without having a brake attached to his machine. Truly a wonderful performance for a Canterbury rider; but it is quite a common practice among Wellington and other North Island wheelmen.

New Zealand Times’ “ Pat Contributor ” says that bicycling has become a “ popular amusement/* and that our City Fathers should therefore put our streets in such a condition as will allow citizens to enjoy the pastime. “Fatty” ought to know that cycling has attained to more than an amusement: the bicycle has become a necessary business adjunct.

Messrs Inglis Bros., of Willis street, are now showing a bicycle which they have just constructed to the order of a local rider. It is a splended piece of workmanship, and is a credit to the establishment. The weight of the machine is 26ib, and it is fitted with Westwood rims and Dunlop tyres, has a moderately narrow tread, and altogether is thoroughly up-to-date.

The Christchurch “C.A.S.H/s” Wellington inkslinger and repair-shop lounger pays me a .high compliment. He finds it very difficult to get any reliable information “on his own” for his fortnightly column of gossip, so he falls back on the New Zealand Mail, and is thus enabled to give some very readable items. And what is more to the point, although the portion of his notes are gleaned from the Mail, he is honest enough to acknowledge this journal as being the source and inspiration of his infantile efforts in the journalistic line.

Hurrah for Councillor Barber! He wants the Council to invest in throe more streetcleaning machines. May he succeed in his endeavour.

A medical authority, writing in an American paper, gives tho following hints to cyclists:—Let them avoid all stimulants, using water as the only beveiago. They should drink as little as possible. When thirsty, it is well to rinse the mouth well with water before swallowing any. It is surprising how little will then be required to allay the thirst. If hungry, it is well to stop and eat until satisfied, but a start should not again be made inside of an hour or longer. An hour and a half is better. Let the same moderation and good sense apply to bicycle riding as to other affairs, and it will not bo more likely to effect harm. The most comfortable and undoubtedly the most healthful bicycle dress for male riders on long trips consists of a sweater, loose-fitting knickerbockers and golf stockings. For ladies the short skirt, with high boots, is preferable to anything else. There has recently been a great deal of discussion about the proper saddle for ladies. Lady riders generally approve of a short and very broad saddle of soft leather, and made with a short nose. All riders, male and female, will be wise not to attempt too erect a seat. The correct position on tho wheel allows considerable weight to rest upon tho handlebars. If the rider sits as straight as a ramrod the spine gets all tho jar of tho wheel, and the calves all tho physical development that is gained. If part of the weight is thrown upon tho arms, they, the muscles of tho chest, and to a greater or less extent of the whole body, will be tho gainers. The effort should be, however, to attain the happy medium, and sit gracefully while allowing a sufficiency of weight on tho handle-bars.

J. Michael, the “Welsh Wonder,” put up a good performance on the road on May 18th. In company with a tandem, he left London on his single at 4 a.m., and reached Aberaman, South Wales, at 7 p.m. the same day, having ridden 184 miles. During the journey his tyre punctured five times, and deducting the time thus delayed, the journey occupied a few minutes under 13 hours, or an ai erage rate of over 14 miles per hour.

The trade in cycles shows no falling off. That’s where the trade scores over the novice every time.

The Russian general of artillery, Fcderof, has ordered ten of the military folding bicycles invented by tho French captain, G6rard. The Danish Government has also given an order for a sample.

Another ingenious appliance for the use of the racing man has boon put upon the market in the form of a lap-scorer, which may be attached like a bell to the handlebar of a machine, and will register fcho laps covered up to 100. It weighs only an ounce and a half, and is retailed at Is 6d.

England Mia ... 31 Yds. France ... ... 29 624 Belgium ... 29 49 America 26 166 Germany ... 26 154 Italy ... ... 26 75 Austria... ... 2G 51 Africa ... ... 26 3 New Zealand ... 25 30) Denmark ... 25 103 Switzerland ... 25 08 Russia ... ... 21 151 Spain ... ... 24 139 Holland ... 24 82 Australia ... 23 1696