THE CHRISTCHURCH-DUNEDIN BICYCLE RECORD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10571, 28 September 1910, Page 2

THE CHRISTCHURCH-DUNEDIN BICYCLE RECORD.

(Per Press Association.) Dunodin, September 27. Birch, the well-known New Zealand cyclist, at six o'clock (his morning started out from Christchurch to Dunodin, in the attempt to cover the distance within twelve hours. The official record stands to the credit of A. Calder, whose lime (IS hours 21 minutes) was put up in 1899, but J. Arnst, some two years ago, covered the distance in 12 hours 21 mimites. As Arnst, however, was at that time a disqualified rider the League refused to recognise his performance. Last Aoril Birch made an attack on the record, but sustained v, heavy fall when victory was well within his grasp. On the 20th hist, he made another attempt, but had to give up at Timaru owing to a heavy head wind. To-day he was more fortunate, for he succeeded in covering the distance in 12 hours o7 minutes, which, although 36 minutes ovr Arnst's time, establishes a new oflichil record for the distance (243 miles). He had a very favorable journey, excepting that he met long stretches of newly laid metal between Oamaru and Palmoiston. Ho also broke all records between Christclnirch and Timaru (112- miles), which he covered in 4- hours 43J- minutes. Birch received a great reception from the public on reaching the Duncdin Post Office".