Cycling Notes.

Otago Witness, Issue 1581, 11 March 1882, Page 20

Cycling Notes.

By Pedal-pin.

.There has been little dping diiring the past, week in ,'cycling circles. One. br pwo riders . got caught in the thunder-shower on Saturday. If the same time is made at ' Christchurch that was made on Saturday when going' 'for'she'lijer, Otago should have a chance of "winning, some

race. . .< ;.. „ .v , / ■;> i The fallowing is from "The Bicycle^' a paper lately 'started in Melbourne, re the ■ formation" of the Australian 'Cyclists' Union":— ''On Moitf day, 6th February! a'meeting'was held at the Oriental 1 Hotel,; Collins 'street! East, 'of delegates from various clubs, for the purpose of forming a Bicycle Union orithe ba'sis'of a similar institution, formed in England.' Delegates from';moßt Victorian clubs were' preseht, J and after much discussion 'the 'following motions' were carried : — That a ' Union 'be established: That 'the name be s 'the s Australian 'Cyclists' Union: 'Each club joining to be' entitled td one delegate for each 2o members. ■ The'subBcription'to be 2s 6d 'per head. ' A committee was appointed to draw up rules, "&c.', ! and submit to a future meeting." : • ■ Under the heading "A Long Bicycle Eide," the ' following is contributed to the Lyttelton Times of the 6th inst. : — " Messrs • Fair Douglas, and Norris, of the Pioneer Bicycle Club, started from the Carlton Hotel, Christchurch, on Saturday last, at 7.15 a.m.. two being bound for Hurunui, the other intending to ride part of the way in company. A genuine Scotch mist enveloped the 'cyclists for '30 miles of their journey keeping them cool and damp, but preventing a view of the surrounding country. Kaiapoi was reached at 8.20, when sometime was occupied in calling on another member of the Club, who 1 had agreed to take part in the run, but who, through press of business, was prevented from so doing. 'Kaiapoi was left at 8.45, and a capital Spin ensued to Amberley 33 miles from starting-point — which was reached at 10.45, and a halt of half an hour indulged in. A stoppage, necessitated by wading through the Waipara River, served somewhat to recruit the riders' energies, and enabled them to negotiate the Weka Pass in good style, finishing up 'legs over 5 just in time for dinner at the hotel a little before 1 p.m. Distance ■ travelled, 45 miles. Time occupied in saddle, about 4hr 30 mm. After a bath in the Weka Creek, and a ramble round the orchard, Mr Farr parted company (at 2.301^ with his fellow travellers and returned ffn Christchurch, arriving at Amberley at 4, and Kaiapoi at 6.10. After having tea he started for Christchurch at 7, arriving ' , home (after completing 90 miles) at 8.10 p.m. » Messrs Douglas and Norris, after parting with Mr Farr, wended their way over tho rango, descended to Waikari, and without halting passed on to Hurunui (56 miles) having to walk to the top of the intervening range, and thereby losing much time. The Hurunui Hotel was reached at 5 p.m. Tea, &o. followed as a matter of course, after which Mr Norris rode across the long bridge spanning the rapid Hurnnui, for tho credit of being the fourth bicyclist to enter the Nelson province. Early next morning the travellers wore astir, and made a, start at 5.30. Unfortunately drizzling rain bothered them, accompanied by a head wind. They, however, mounted nearly every ascent, and flew down the gradients of the first range, and then pleasantly pedalled on across the flat to Wftikni'i (eight miles), arriving at 9.45 ; then up and down till Weka Pass Hotel (li miles from Hurunni) was reached, at 10.20, and after a slight halt to oil up, &c, left at 10.35, travelling on again over similar windingroads till the river Waipara was crossed (without halting thin time, the bicyclists walking straight through it with boots on) ; then on to Amberley, arriving at the Crown Hotel at 11.55, in the midst of a bhower. Here Mr M'Lean kindly provided dinner gratis, after which the journey was proceeded with at 1.30 p.m. Kaiapoi was reached at 3.45, and Christ, church at 5.40, the bicylists having much enjoyed both the journey and the scenery #j route,