CYCLING.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVX, Issue 3094, 3 April 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

CYCLING.

Cyclist J. Brodie intends having another shot at the Eketahuna-Wellingtou record, haviug had to give up on the last occasion .owing to adverse conditions. He had a Sicad'Vir.d all the way, and found it very •hard work. Brodie is confident of cutting a slice off tho record under more favourable circumstances.

It is a great pity the police could not .Jay their hands on a few of the bicycle .thieves that at present infest Wellington. A wheel does not seem to be safe any•where, not even in your own private house or when looked np at a private club, where .members and attendants are constantly .moving about. Searching investigation has been carried. out in a few cases which have been reported, but not only • have the machines disappeared as if by -magic, but there is no clue to the audacious thief or thieves. The assertion that there is a gang working the business .may or may not tie correct. It looks very much like it. but at auyrate they don't work in couples. There have been a goodly number stolen in Wellington during the last six months, and my idea is that .they have been ridden or sent further north, or else shipped to Australia; " Tho firstmenlioced is the most feasible theory, but ,5t is now quite a common thing for visitors to the other aide to take their bikes with them, and even if a man packed and •shipped fifty, which he had obtained for .nothing, I don't suppose.any suspicion -would attach to him. The more audacious ■.the thief the less chance of discovery.

The Victorian League of Wheelmen •refused to sanction the match between Xesna and Martin.

The Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club intend holding a grand cycling and athletic carnival in the Caledonian Society’s grounds on Easter •Monday, April 19. There are eight running events on the programme, and eight £jicycle events, including the Grand Easter SSieycle Handicap (three distances), for •which trophies to the value of JE2I are to be ■offered. In addition, there will be a points’ prize of 30s given the competitor S ‘oaring most points in other bveuts. One of tho cycling contests is confined to ladies, ami another to.boys under V) years .of age, Eutries close on April 10.

Cycling ziuhs are being formed in every ■locality where the whizz of the wheel is heard. Carterton enthusiasts have form a club, while those at Otaki have nlso organised one. Mr A. Knocks occupied the chair at the meeting tho other night when 23 names were hand.ed in, The »■ ri nji•; 1 subsoiSptipn was fixed at half-a.-osovereign, and' it was decided to hold a sports meeting on Easter Monday, April KJth. Mr-B. T. Atkinson has offered to lend a paddock gratis to the club, and ■.has been thanked for his kindly consideration. The officers appointed are: Mr B. T. Atkinson; vicenresidonts, Messrs A. Knocks, Hori To ‘Warn, W. Franklin, jam, Hema To Ao and Pitiera Taipua; secretary, Mr A. Knocks ; treasurers, Messrs Hema Te Ao and H. ASolomon; bandicapper. Mr M. Ayrej committee, Masars Hori Te Warn, Qallichan, W. Wilson, W. Whitehorn, A. E. Anderson, J. Webber, W. Franklin, jum, A. Knocks, H. A. Solomon, Pitiera Taipua, Hema Te Ao. T. Cootes and M. Ayre.

The Wanganui Cycling Club made oyer ,£7O over their late sports meeting.

BllTbe latest dog lie clipped from an exchange:—“it is said that - Brunette, a Feilding cyclist, has trained his little dog to pace him. Tho dog has learned the art, and now can keep just i» front of his master when training, and appears to enjoy the practice.

The English Cyclists' Touring Union is now doing good work in urging on the new Universal Lights Bill, which it is bringing before the House of Commons. The average cyclist is strangely apathetic on such a subject, although it is of the utmost importance that his safety whilst riding should be increased. Once again, when will the Wellington City Council take the matter in hand and make lights ab night compulsory ?

A young bank clerk at Maryborough (New South Wales) attempted suicide the other day, having allegedly become insane through the excessive strain of cycling in a road race between Warnambool and Melbourne. Cycling as an exorcise is right ■enough, but pursuing it to excess is dangerous. as the seven days tournament which was recently got off iu New York goes to prove. Excessive riding means in the end ■a, disorganised nervous system and the theory has been raised that the concentrated attention, rapid motion, and spinal vibration inseparable from cycling have a ■tendency to injuriously affect the nerve centres, especially incases where the strain is unduly prolonged and aggravated by the excitement that accompanies racing. However this may bo, the unfortanate Maryborough incident merits a consideration which may be given it without throwing anything like a sinister euepicion on an otherwise healthy and pleasant, and certainly popular, means of ■recreation available for both sexes. As such it supplies a want which it seamed impossible to fill otherwise. Women and ■medical men have borne abundant testimoney to its good effects. But moderation is always laid down as an essential condition, and, until we know more of the effects of cycling on the nervous system, it would be well if this caution were attended to. It is becoming so much the fashion to cry down sod overbear criticism of cycling, and to noisly refuse to entertain the suggestion that too much of this particular form of recreation may possibly have its drawbacks.

It is claimed by an American paper that American cycles must certainly be preferred in all parts of the world to any other makes, if the values of the exports .f bicycles and accessories, as given by tbe IT.S. Treasury Department are a criterion. Daring the month of September last the value of bicycles and cycle sundries exported to foreign countries was over .0)0,000. Estimating the value of each wheel to be 05, that would be an equivalent to the sale of 12 113 wheels in one month, or 48-t wheels per day. _ These figures are for export onlv. During the

nine months of 1806, including September, the value of the exports of American cycles and sundries was over .£OIIO,OOO. Great Britain was the heaviest purchaser, the exports to that country for the month amounting to more than J 220.000; for the nine months over .£200,000. The figures for the nine months show an average shipment of 40,838 wheels per month (allowing .£3 per wheel), which is at the rate of 4537 per month, twenty working days to the month, or 181 per day.

It is stated that there is a probability of the Wanganui and West Coast Cash Cycling Club and the Caledonian Society combining to lay down an up-to-date banked cycling track on St. John's Hill.

According to a journalistic cycling authority in France it would appear that distance riding on the roads in that country is not always “ straight," and so plain has this fact come before the authorities that several suggestions have been made to help in doing away with the “ towing" and other fraudulent dodges of would-be recordbreakers. One of those suggestions seems a bit too stupendous to work well in practice. It is that an official ho placed at every kilometre mark for checking purposes. On such a route as the ParisBordeaux this would mean the provision of 091 officials.

Lord Francis Oshoino and Lady Osborne were fined, at Maidenhead (England), recently, for having ridden bicycles on a footpath in the parish of Winkfield. Lord Osborne, who is a Berkshire magistrate, was lined 2s Gd and costs, but Lady Osborne was fined 10s and costs, she having sent the police constable who had charge of the case a postal order for ss.

" The Bicycle Girl" is the title of a play now running in England, while another play in whioh cycling is prominent is about to be produced in America. The title has not been decided upon, and as a means of getting the boat title the theatrical manager is offering a prize of £2O for the person sending in the best name for his play, The feature of the play is a bicycle race sceiie on a track, extending from the gear of the stage to the first balcony. Every person in the cast rides a wheel at some part of the performance. .

Quito the latest thing m the auto-car line is an auto-car which has been invented for use in the time of war. It carries four soldiers, two rapid-firing guns, and 10,060 rounds of ammunition, and can be run up to the rate of 45 miles an hour. Tbo guns can be fired at the rata of 700 rounds a minute. This invention should bo a great acquisition to our stock of war implements.

At the Marton sports the One Mile Bicycle Open Maiden Roadster event went to C. Glasgow (20 yards), Hughes and Armstrong being in the places. In the first event of the Mile Bicycle Handicap, B. Way won his heat from the 240 yards mark, J. ; A, Bell his heat from the 130 yards mark, the final falling to P. ‘Henderson (150 yards), who had run second to Way. McDonald would have been in the final had he not been disqualified for starting over his mark. G. Goodall, the Wellington rider, fell in the first lap of the final. A. Humphreys won the Cigar and Umbrella bicycle, race from GoodalL W. Franklin got home from the 300 yards mark in the local Roadster event, E. Way (360 yards) being second, and }■-'< Signal (300 yards) third. Law and Northern ran over the fence at the bottom corner. J, 6, Wingate easily beat J. McDowell in the second event of the bicycle Handicap, but tbo winner had 460. yards. He subsequently ran second to W. P. Henderson in the third distance (3 miles). G, Goodall was third half a lap away. Henderson won t!;e points prize with 11 points, Wingate 8, McDowell and Bell 3, Goodall and Symmonds 1.

A couple of ladies’ races were got off at Marten. ; Two of the girls wore bloomers and the only other competitor a skirt. She carried too much sail, according to one observant spectator. Miss O’Hara (30yds) won from Miss Harvey (scratch). The last-named fell when level with the winner. Later on, however, she won the Ladies’ Forced Kaoo, of half a mile.

Barker, Hunt, Forbes and Lyon did not fake part in the Marton cycling events. They, with the addition ot a. Goodall, telegraphed to tho committee stating that they would not race . unless rehandicapped. The committee resolved not to re-handicap, and said that if they did not accept for the handicap they would bo-debarred from competing in any of the others. Goodall subsequently withdrew his protest and look part. Lyon, Hunt and Forbes wanted to nominate for the teams race bn the" ground, but the committee would not accept their entry.

The visiting cyoliatsTo the-Wanganui Cash Meeting, which proved so successful, presented the secretary, Mr H. E. Woon, with a silver mounted walking - stick, suitably inscribed. The presentation was made by Mr G. Watson.bf Wellington.

The following are the officers of the Carterton Cash Club, formed the other, night; Patron, M r W. C>‘ Buchanan, Ivr.H.E.; president, Sir; (Tames Stevens; vice-presidents, Messrs (W. McKenzie, Dr Johnson, G. W. Dellei*, N. Grace, WMcore; captain, Mr W. Bridge j vieacaptain, Mr W. Campbell; secretary, Mr 4. Smith; Mr W. Bannin; maaggeniant committee, Messrs A. B lyliss, 11. Kicolaic ajad G. Wallace, with captain, vice-captain, secretary and treasurer. Mr W. Bridge has given throe gilyer medals to be competed for. Tho (club will hold an opening run shortly, and probably organise a “ social ” and dance. I t/jg

All the New Zealand Tjeague Championships held np to the present have been won on Dunlop tyres, as well as all the amateur championships, with tlje exception of the half-milo.

At the Wairarapa Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club’s Sports, E. N. Grove won tho Kalf-mile bicycle event;; easily from A. 11. Sutton, who* had previously won tho Maiden, p. Ibbotson met with an accident, and got badly knocked about through colliding with the fence, his machine being also smashed. Grove had another picnic in the two-mile event; .which he \v,<jn by a few hundred yards. Tho meeting was pot a very successful one from a financial point of view.

Mr A, C. Duff, of Sydney, has written to the .Christchurch Cycling Club stating that he in endeavouring to secure a team of prominent Sydney cycilats to visit New Zealand. No definite arrangement 3 have yet been made, however, in connection with the trip.

The North Otago County Council has decided to take the opinions of other •councils in the colony on the subject of the rdvisablepess of taxing all bicycles that make their appearance on county roads. The sum fixed a 3 \vas £1 per annum.

It is very probable that .the French rider Lesna, who is attracting considerable attention in Australia just now, will pay a oicjt to New Zealand at an early date. It is to be hoped an effort will be made to secure an exhibition of the champion’s prowess in the new Wellington Athletic Park-track.

For proper respiration cyclists should always keep their months closed while cycling, as riding with tfio mouth open adds greatly to the fatigue. The uncomfortable thirst of which so many riders complain is duo entirely to the habit of breathing through the mouth, and will bo found to diminish when the proper method of taking breath is learned. The lips should always be- kept closed, and breathing through the nose cultivated.

Bicycles are not always what they are asserted to be in the matter of weight. Melbourne Sportsman says some of tho cycle shops .will fall in with a sickening splash one-of (these days when some aggravated customer draws the attention of the Inspector of Weights and Measures to tho scales which 9-re trotted out to corroborate tho statement a jigger is only 251 b. A lady a few'weoks baefc purchased a machine, which was .alleged to ; be §3 pounds, and a test on the shop’s spring balance verified (the 'allegation. As a further proof, a meter bike was hanging in the window, marked “ 2®lb,“ and is there still. )fot, when it was put on outside scales, the machine registered exactly 301 b. -

The first lady cyclist .of tho Flowery Land to cross a jigger in Australia is Mrs Jung Woo. Mrs J, W. cycles in the rational costume of her native land, and presents a very picturesque appearance. —” Silverapnr ’’ in the N.Z. Milt-