CYCLING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13209, 16 February 1905, Page 10

CYCLING.

Br "The I'edauek."

— The two bicycle races at the Caledonian Ground' on Saturday provided good sport, though fast- tipics' wore discounted by the heavy state of .the. track, the hot sun melting the tarry, surface of the ground, and consequently making the going slow. .T. Cameron, in tile Mile,' made good use of his handicap of. 130vds, and after catching the limit men took a breather, and +11011 went out on his own, followed by Harry Christie. .Tack Arnst, who did most of the pacing for his brother Dick, managed to just catch Christie in the straight, and beat him by a few' inches, but could not overhaul Cameron, who crossed the liile just about 30yds to the good. In tbo Two-mile Cameron repeated his taelics of his mile race, but with a lap and a-half.to go was overhauled by the two Arnst.°. The country rider then - slowed up, with the purpose of making a finish of it with the two Christchurch men, but could not stay with thein iii the sprint, and finished third.

Aliclc Fleming, of Allanton, was palpably out of form in Saturday's bicycle races. I understand he has purchased a 1 1-3 horsepower Clement-Garrard motor bicycle, and is .spending his time riding this machine. This kind of exercise, however, will not get him fit to rido a. fast bicycle race. With proper training, Fleming is at present about our best local track rider.

The wisdom of making use of your handicap when you have been given one by tho handicapper was exemplified in the ilile-lts.ee at the Caledonian Grounds on Saturday, when-Cameron mado every post a winning one, and won fairly easily at- the. finish. Would that others of our local riders would do likewise, instead of waiting with the idea of sprinting with the scratch men at the finish. Aii impossible feat, as otherwise why should they be handicapped? R. Murie, the well-known Invercargill. cycle agent, is leaving on a trip to the Old Country this week.''. Ho writes me that he intends to. return with tho latest in the line in motor bieyelcs.

—— Maurice Randrup, of Timaru, at present holds the milo competition record for New Zealand, accomplished at Nelson on I'cbruary 1. The previous record for a competition milo was held by G. Sutherland, who put up 2min 3 3-ssec on tho eatoo track last year.

— The roads, both north and south, are in a very dusty slate and liberally' strewn wilh loose stones, which spoils extra business for tho tyre-makers. Tlie road through Green Island is particularly bad, and the motor bicycle rider lias a very rough ride till once over Saddle Hill, when splendid riding right on to Balclutha is obtained.

— Sunday was a splendid day for the motor riders, and as 1 pushed my modest pedal bike along I was passed by a goodly number of these skimming along over the switchbacks 011 the Henley' load. Torched 011 the top of one of these switchback hills, I had a good view of the road, both ahead and behind of mc, when two motor cycles flicked by at a good 40-mile-an-hour gait, and I wondered why the hurry, which was soon explaiued by tho early appearance of our old friend the Gliddnnic dust fiend, mounted on the "Barge," churning up the road surfaeo like a cyclone, and hard after the other two; but, alas! on this occasion the before-mentioned dust fiend was bested, and found himself enjoying a goodly feed of tho lingering dust raised by the pursued. Whilo still watching the passers-by, along flitted a motor bike, with trailer attached, and lady passenger. On closer inspection I discovered it was a little two-horso-powcr Clement-Garrard, which was doing yeoman's work, being only assisted oil tho steeper hills. I learned later that the party oomplctcd the journey from .\Vaihola. to Dunedjn with case, the lady passenger only walking a small portion of Saddle Hill and Lockout Point. : —Dr Hogg, of Invercargill, and party, driven by Chauffeur Stone, arrived in Dunedin from the former city on Saturday afternoon, and report a glorious ride. The ear used was a V horse-power Rambler, which came-through without, a hitch. Other arrivals in this city- were Mr Bauchop and wife, from Auckland, who drove through from Ciiristclmrch 011 an 8 horsepower De Dion Bouton car. This car is ouo _of the finest little cars that have so far visited Duucdin. It seats ( four, and has three forward speeds and a reverse, tho change-speed gearing having the commendable feature of always having the cogs in mesh, thus making teeth-stripping an impossibility. — Mr Jainieson, of this city, has imported a Centaur motor bicycle of 3J. horse-power,-with single cylinder, and fitted with a splendid principle of chain-drive and free engine. Tlielmachine is of first-class finish throughout, and lias a. side-car attachment for passenger. Mr .Taniieson, with passenger in side-car, made an easy and pleasant run to Henley and hack 011 Satunlav afternoon. Those riders who carry onlv one accumulator would do well to reflect 011 tho position they would bo in if any of the plates broke in their accumulator. This is not an infrequent occurrence from severe road vibration, and the damage is impossible to repair by the road-side. Spring-front forks for motdr bicycles wore much in evideneo at the recent I'aris show, and are getting more popular, but none so far add to the appearance of the machine. ' Mr George Sievwright's horsepower Zedel ought to take a lot of beating in the Motor li'icc at the- D.0.0. sporis 011 Saturday, the engine being n marvel for its size. — — W. Tisdale has his twin-cyJiiidered Clement-tiarrard going very well just now, and if he ean only ride the corners well enough the machine should perform its part creditably. The same stylo and make of engine, wiir? ridden l>y K, Miivio and Dod Bell last year, when thev beat cvervthing eise. Mr Tom Eraser, who cannot, be said to be an old hand at motor-riding, has already 2380 milca recorded on his -motor register. Mr George Sise, who left Titwiru on Tuesday with the intention of riding through on hip motor to Oaiharu, had the misfortune to meet with an accident when in the vicinity of St. Andrews, the cylinder of his machine blowing out. Mr Sise was going at a good bat at tho time, but fortunately cscaped without any injury. He made his way as test lie could on to St. Andrews and boarded the express, coming right through to Dunedin the same day, Br "Demon." Recent. bush fires in-New South Wales and "Victoria -have in several instances destroyed culverts, etc., on the route of the overland motor oontest from Sydney to Melbourne, which is to take place 011 the 21sfc to the 25th of this month. Advices to hand from the fire-stric'ken districts states that temporary causeways are being put down in place of burnt bridges, etc.. eo that competitors will have ,110" difficulty in following '.lie route. Tho promoters are having fresh direction notices put up along tho road in lieu of those burnt. The interest, taken in all kinds of motoring in Australia - seems to be on the increase. During- the past few years the number of motor cycles 'and motor cars has increased by leaps and hounds, until now almost every person who poses as being up-to-date _ is interested either directly or indirectly in the petrol-driven machine. The receni reliability trials at Home have proved at least how much we may depend 011 an up-to-date car or cycle. Indeed, in almost every test race held in England there was not core than 5 per cent, of those. who competed failed in their object. The present reliability contest from Sydney to Melbourne, while liot a race, affords a somewhat parallel case to the trials at Home. If the present contest in the Commonwealth can show Australians that ears and'cycles can be relied lipon to perform ceitain journeys, there is 110 doubt that ■ the use of motor cars and motor cycles will ■ become more general amongst business and pleasure-seek-ing individuals in these States-thon hitherto. — During his West Australian tour Macfarland touched at- Kalgoorlie, at which place ho demanded £40 for appearance nioney. Tlu'g tho promoters of the" meeting—the Electric Cycling Club—objected to give him, and, as the Yankee would not start, without- it, ho was a looker-on. In commenting on the. matter, the Kalgoorlie Miner has this to say:—"Macfarland was 011 the ground, but he did not race. He appealed , unsuccessfully for - appearance money to ride during the evening, but tho club objected to his terms. In doing so, we consider they acted wisely. Races are inserted in the to induce riders of the champion class to visit this State, and the club showed backbone in allowing Maefariand to \iew the' proceedings from the reserve, instead of throwing away £40 for tho privilege of having, the American 011 the track. Much iwjter to give' that' amount to be competed ' for by. .local riders who support the 6port, ; while the champions are living on the'crumps cast- to them by promoters in the Eastern States. . . The annual sports; meeting held in ' connection with tho Melbourne Australian Natives' Association's fete at- the Melbourne Exhibition track, . was this, year out under most-- unfavourable conditions. On Saturday, ,28th ult.,' the opening day, | the thermometer stood at.lOS in the shade, | whilst 011 Anniversary Day, 30th ult., the j weather was most wintry, .with ,ihtei;mitten | showers throughout" theafttrnoonand even- 1

ing. It-had been anticipated that tlio meeting would be a big success from a racing standpoint, for amongst the entrants were Lawson, Ellegaard, Butt, Macfarland, Parley, Megeon, Walker,' M'Donald, Pye, and Morgan'; hut a chapter of accidents upset calculations, and robbed tlio racing of much of its interest. The primary cause of a scries of falls was the intense heat, which caused the highly-inflated tyres to burst. W. M'Donald put up a sterling performance in tho final of the One-mile A.N.A. Gold Stakes, in which event he met and defeated Ellegaard, Mori# i.' and I'ye. Other riders to show good form were Itiitt (who won every event lie started for on Monday), G. It. Morgan, Farley, and Anderson (Denmark). The 'iding of Ellegaard during'the two days' racing was most disappointing. Owing to the intcrmitent rain 011 Monday, the day's progrmmo could not he fully carried out, tlio result being that several of the most important finals were held over for decision 011 Wednesday night. The classic Blue Biband of the Australian racing track was, in the absenco of -Lawson, carriod off by Rutt, who met and defeated Ellegaard, Farle,v. Walno, nd Pye in the final, after a good finish. The following are the results of tho finals decided:—Australian Cup, 0110 mile— K. W. Morgan, 65yds, 1: N. Furtiere, I 65yds, 2; T. Loalon, 70yds, 3. Won by a length. Time, lmin 53 l-ssec. Metropolitan Stakes, half-mile—N. M. Anderson (Denmark), 1; 0. A. Best, 2; J. H. Sandbcrg, 3. Won by a length. Time, lmin 10 2-sscc, Anniversary Plato, mile—C. A. Best, 10yds, 1; B. F. Soutor, 75yds, 2; J. GifFon, 50yds, 3. Time, 2min 5 2-f>scc.' A.N.A. Gold Stakes, half-mile final—G. Farley, 1; W. M'Donald, 2; J. Eillsell, 3. Won by half a wheel. Time, lmin 13 4-sscc. A.N.A. Gold Stakes, one-mile final—W. M'Donald, 1; G. B. Morgan, 2; T. Ellegaard, 3. AVon by a few inches. Time, 2min 36sec. A.N.A. Gold Stakes, five-mile final—W. Butt, 1; G. R. Morgan, 2; W. M'Donald, 3. Won easily. Time, llmin 55 2-sscc. Celebration Handicap, one mile, third .and fourth class—W. Guorin, 10yds, 1; J. Iv. Taylor, 75.y(15, 2; ,7. O'Brien, 15yds, 3. Time, 2min 8 l-s:ec. Mile Australasian Championship—W. Butt (Germany), 1;T. Ellegaard (Denmark), 2; J. G. J. Farley (Victoria), 3. A fine race; won by a length. Time 2min 6 3-sscc. Walter Rutt, at present racing with succcss in tho Commonwealth, 'is only. 21 years of age, and yet ho is one of the world's six best sprinters, Rutt is regarded as tlio coining champion of the world, and may,-perhaps, annex the title this year. As a pacer in a handicap Rutt has no equal, unless it be W. S. Fcnn. Macfarland used to be considered the champion pacor, but it is doubtful if lie could negotiate a lap like Rutt.

Clark, the winner of tho last Austral, is doing somo good-performances in Australasia. At tho Sydney meeting lie several limc-s finished just behind the cracks—Ellegaard, Butt, Farley, and Lawson. Ho is uuder 20 years of age, and, with taking ordinary care of himself, should soon become a champion at the rate lie is gping. Ilis stature is short, hut he is very strongly built-, and able to do a lot of work without tiring.

— The conditions under which the Gor-don-Bennett motor race was conducted last year failed to give satisfaction to all concerned, and attempts were mado to effect some alterations. To this end an international conference was recently held at tho rooms of the French Club, but tho majority present quite against , any or modification being made. Amongst the proposals were:—(l) A reduction of weight of car's; (2) that permission he given for a team contest; (3) for a two-days' raeo, of about 620 miles; and (4) for allowing only a fixed number of tyfes to contestants. All thefc, however, wero rejected, and this year's race will bo hold under tho old conditions. •

The growth of the motor industry in France during the past dccado lias been phenomenal, if wc may judge from tho figurc-s just to hand. 11l 1895 scarcely n dozen motor firms existed, hut three years later Francs exported automobiles to the value of half a million francs. In 1902 the value had reached 30 millions, and ISO 3, 52 million, while during the first 10 months of last- year tho exports reached a value of 72 millions of francs—close upon three million pounds sterling, Although Paris retrains the centre of tho motor industry, se/eral of Iho outer suburbs have become veritable automobile cities. One of tho features of this year's Salon do L'Automobile in Paris lias been Iho improved designs of enclosed types of carriago bodies shown on various stands, says an English authority. Which is by way of indicating that motorists are becoming desirous of using their cars as much (luring the winter months us in the summer. It also indicates tlio fact that present-day methods of, construction recognise tlio need for efficient protection ol tho working parts below tho framo from mud, so that a car may be independent of weather conditions. The new Landaulot, shown by the Wolseley Company, one of the' three English firms exhibiting, is ol excellent design and finish, and preserve.? the carriage-like appcaranco of an electromobile, with the advantages to be gained by using a petrol motor. The horizontal position of tho Wolsoley motor lends itsell particularly well to the uso of this class of body, as it can bo placed low down in tho frame on a level with the transmission gear. The Kolls-Koyce is another British car, and made its first public appearance at tho Salon. The motor sizes range from a 10 horse-power two-cylinder upwards. The cylinders aro made in pairs, and increased power is obtained by adding' to the number employed. On the 20 horse-power exhibition car is fitted a fine sido cul.raiice body of the phaeton type, with collapsible top for fine-weather use. The Hozier Engineering Company, of Glasgow, makers of the Argyll cars, were also represented with models of their latest designs. A now carburettor, which automatically equalises the proportions of petrol and air supplied io llio motor, attracted a good deal of attention. The makers slate that by its uso a car can run another 10 miles to the gallon of petrol consumed. The representative of a British motor paper who visited tlio recent French Automobile Exhibition remarked that the points at which English and French ideas diverged wero easily noticed. For instance, the lowpowered car at a moderate price is apparently of no account to the French trade. The whole trend is for cars of high power, of the incfit luxurious accoutrement,'' and at tall prices. So completely has this idea gripped the Frcnch trade tJis't it pays little or no heed to anything eke. Fifty-six miles 266 yards in 60 minutes was covered in ono hour on December IV at tho Pare des Princes Velodrome, Paris, by the young Italian motor cyclist, Hiuppone, on a motor cycle, racer weighing under 1101b, and, continuing for 100 kilomotrcs (62 miles 246 yds), he covcrod that distance in llir 6 tnin 36 2-ssec. Cissac now says that he will try to ride 60 miles in the hour.

Hall, tho Englishman,' at A 7 cledromo d'Hivor on Dccomber 18, beat the world's standing start record, in a match with Brtini. The Sportsman says:—ln the first match, 10 kilometres (6 miles 376 yards), "Tommy" Hall beat Bruni by 160 yds in 7min 53 Msec (record without wind-shield). Tho riders started at opposite sides of the track, and although Bruni had the better of matters for a few laps, le pel it Anglais, who was riding a much higher gear, cut out a very hot pace when onco into his action, and gradually gained oil the Frenchman, almost lapping him. before the full distanco liotl been completed. The. second match was over 30 kilometres (18 milos 1130 yards), both riders starting from the pest of honour. The two riders raced off-the uiarlc, Brtini getting on to his pacing, machine first, Hall in clc6o attendance. Hall immediately made a bid for,tho cad and inside position, and although Bruni guarded Ins berth for a lap, he could not hold the "Poly" boy, who dashed ahead, and was 100 yds to tho good before a mile had been completed. The English camp ehcercd their favourit oil, and at 10 kilometres, covered, by Hall in Bmin 11 l-ssee, be was within a foiv yards of lapping Bruni. The latter then made gamo offor(6 to get away, and, although he increased bis pace considerably, "Tommy" was always there, and contented himself by taking matters easily'until a couple of laps from homo, when ho made a rush lo get by, and just succeeded before the finish. Time, 25min 36 1-5-ee.

Since 1903 there has been a properly-c-qnippcd motor cat service between Antananarivo, the capital, and Tamative, (Madagascar), tlio principal seaport. a distance of 152 miles. Being a French colony, this, perhaps, is not. surprising. Right vehicle* are at- present used—six of 15 hone-power and two of 12 horse-power—cadi of which accommodates' five persons, including' the driver, besides having ample room-for mails and baggage. As is usual with the French, the v roads are kept in excellent repair, and, although many of the curvos are dangerous, the travelling is good. The capital is situated high among the hills, but the maximum grade is 1 in 12, while the width of the road varies from 10ft to 16ft. The 'following particulars are interesting:—Two services arc made each way weekly; they occupy three days (about 50 miles* a day)," but actual travelling time is much less. Tho up journey—that is, from the coast to tho | interior—takes 21 to hours, and the down ! (rip 15 to 17 hours; average speed, 7 miles J' and 9 miles an hour respectively.' This is I fast travelling compared . to the ricksha. ' method, the onlv other alternative, which

takes six days. The charge for the up trip is i! 7 13s, and for tho doiVu trip £3" 12s; this,is exclusive of-the necessary hotel expenses, throughout the three days., The cost of tlio.trip per ricksha 'is a few shillings less, hut the incidental and extras would bo greater. Every two- weeks a car makes a special and jiractieally non-stop run with the mails, of which about 100 tons are carried every six-months. This trip is easily accomplished under the 24 hours. In addition to the mails and many tons of other baggage, from 175 _to 200 passengers are carriod during' tho six months. At the' present time a steady increase, in the passengers and baggage is •necessitating addition to-the stud of care, which are giving every satisfaotlonv

-—Strange to say; the decision of the Parisian track managers to do away with tho -heavy, highly-powcicd pacing motors has not met with the approval of tho riders generally, notwithstanding the long list of track fatalities put up in 1901. The pacefollowers complain that the./new rulo compels them lo purchase a new equipment, and renders those they own utterly useless, which is a great loss.' It is stated,- however, that this consideration will not induce tho I rack'managers'to reconsider their decision. They agree that the death-dealing engines must ;be-done .away with, and, to" outsiders at least, it seems curious that those who are daily ...risking their lives behind them cannot sec the matter'in'the 6aiiio light." Ono of the recent victims to motor pace-following 'in Paris' was Brccy. who loft his family somewhat destitute'. The track proprietors and racing men put their heads together? and conducted a- benefit rac? meeting, which.resulted in a net profit of £i 6" for tho widow.'

— Great numbers ofriders differ as to the efficiency of back-pedalling or. handapplied brakes. Thcro is vc-ry little douht, however, hut that the hand-applied brako is considered -by the majority of riders the most efficacious, as the. nice gradations of rotardation seem difficult to obtain with any apparatus worked by the foot." Ono of tho chief disadvantages of-the back-pedalling brake is that they aro overmuch, if lint dangerously, powerful, and in the bands of a liovico arc liable to cause an' accident if too prematurely applied. TjVith a rim brake apnlied by hand a more delicate cheeking influence can bo applied, though numbers of tboso still seem too sudden in action, especially as far as riding in traffic is concerned, and when the roads are greasy, as thc-y so nearly lock tho wheel that it is apt to start slipping at tho most critical junc'lures. This tendency is intensified should the rim happen to deviate from the truth. The lesson to he learnt is that brakes iu all cases should be gently applied, so that any aberrations' in the rim will not cause it to skid suddenly, bolt, or "jump" when tho pressure is applied.