CYCLING.

NZ Truth, Issue 83, 19 January 1907, Page 3

CYCLING.

Crooks and Cronks.

It was about, time some of the crack cyclists -who race at Christchu!•<]•. were called upon to explain their crook exploits. Stiff riding is ruining -the game like it has ruined every other game, and the public won't pay to see pre-arranged races. The unspeakable cronkness of pedalJers m the Cathedral City has long been a m-atter of comment, but the bhnd authorities didn't take action, not wishing! to lose good riders who star at their meetings and help to draw a crowd. But the. Royal Enfield Cup race at the Christchurch Cycling and Motor Club's Exhibition meeting u>as too hot for anything. Before fhe race it was known' to the cognoscenti that Baker was going to win, and Cfeorge Sutherland scratched for some unaccountable reason.. Baker was out of form, and couldn't race worth ■a. dam; but he won all v right, and the North - Canterbury Centre of the League of Wheelmen, thinking that things might have been different, asked a number of questions and re ado a few rude observations. The condition of the race were that the last man m each round should drop out, and chief consul J. E. Bates, who reported on the "contest, " : said that Mebrtens . fell out without making any effort to keep apposition,- and Campion did a similar trick ; also Jack Arnst did not appear too .anxious either. Then .the finish was left , to Wyatt 'and Baker, and the former darned near won;, finding, himself dangerously near- winning the event he back pedalled Kar the post and -Baker got home! This was a superb bit of ch-c-el? on Wy.att's part, seeing that all eyes were on him, but despite 1 hat -be drnics that he back pedaled. Also, Ih* others' said they did their best, but the Centre didnlt 'believe them, and fined them a fiver apiece, tibey- -being disqualified until it was wnd. This applies' to the winner, Baker,, as well as -the , rest. A resolution d^alin^ put a year's disqualification 1 to -these cycling schisters was -lbs*.' Thf Chte'f Consul and others, .averred that -there had been too jmich collision among these spoil sports -latterly, and that it was necessary, to purify the • business. Well, a nice way 'the. Centre has e?pne about i!— m flirting a fiver which will fee^pul'by Ihp bike firms which some of iheve - crooks represent. A' year's ■<li amplification would, have been more effective m teaching these fishy folk a lesson. v .