WHEEL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1764, 12 September 1885, Page 22

WHEEL NOTES.

By Demon.

The Sydney Bicycle ' Club's Champion meeting was a great success, notwithstanding that the threatening weather kept away thousands. As it was (says the Mail) there were about 14,000 .persons present, and a more brilliant assemblage of the fashionable world of Sydney in the grand stand and on its lawn has not been seen at any outdoor gathering. Every seat in the stand was occupied, the promenade behind the rows of seats, the passages, and even the steps were taken up by eager sightseers, while the asphalt walk and the grassy slope which skirts the same were tenanted. So great was the demand for room that hundreds of ladies could not find seats. There was, of course, a portion of the attendance whose attention was not distracted by the soul-stirring events going on in the arena. They were generally engaged in the more engros&ing business of viewing and discussing the tasteful toilettes and their charming wearers. The ladies, too, go to the Association Ground to see and be seen, and in their train follow hundreds who, though not quite recognised in the world of fashion, like to be seen where society goes. Apart from the surroundings, the sport was of the most genuine character, the track and weather being favourable for fast time ; and the interest and excitement felt by the onlookers in the two great champion races was of the warmest kind. Even the promenaders ceased to flit to and fro on the lawn, and every eye was fixed upon the competitors during the one-mile race for the Championship of New South Wales. It was really a struggle for supremacy between the riders of Victoria and those of New South Wales. C. W. Bennett won the race last year, and a second victory in succession would N make him the "absolute possessor of the splendid prize offered and the proud holder of the title of champion at that distance. Victoria senb over a very strong contingent in Shackelford, Foulkes, Elliott, Dwyer, Stokes, and Bloomfield, all riders of renown, and New South Wales had to rely upon two sturdy representatives in Bennett and Wood. Shackelford was the favourite on the strength of a wonderful trial he did on Thursday afternoon, when he rode the mile in 2 mm. 57^ sec, but this did not daunt either Wood or Bennett, each of whom had a host of supporters. Twelve started for the race, with the betting 6 to 4on Shackelford. Bennett took the lead with a very clever start, but when half the first round had been accomplished Wood challenged him and led past the judge's box, Shackelford taking Bennett's place. At the finish of the second round Wood still led, with Bennett in close attendance upon him, and Shackelford third. In the middle of the concluding round Bennett took the lead, and the field closed up in a bunch, Shackelford falling away badly. Turning in towards home Dwyer moved up into second place, and Stokes headed Wood. Beivnett had no trouble in holding the premier position, and won with three or four yards to spare, Dwyer second, Stokes third, Wood fourth, Foulkes fifth. The race was a brilliant one throughout, and excited the greatest enthusiasm. It was a noteworthy fact that Shackelford in the draw got the inside running. The times for the four laps were 44 sec, 1 mm. 27 sec. for the half-rrile, 2 mm. 14 sec. for the three-quarters, and 2 mm. 57| sec. for the mile. The winner was carried in to the pavilion from the ground.

The Ten-mile Championship proved a very exciting race. The pace at the start was terrific. The first mile was done in 3 mm. 5 sec. ; the second, in G mm. 20 sec. ; third, in 9 mm. 41 sec. ; fourth, 13 mm. 9 sec. ; fifth, 16 mm. 35 sec. ; sixth, 19 mm. 42 sec. ; seventh, 23 mm. 16 sec. ; eighth," 2G mm. 51 sue. ; ninth, 30 mm. 6£ sec. ; tenth, 33 mm. 19 sec. At the end of the eighth mile Shackelford appeared to have a Very slight load. S<obn aitefwards Shackelford

and Bennett came into collision, and the Victorian champion unfortunately had to retire with a bant pedal. Wood and Bennett had a good race homo, and came in in the order mentioned, Foulkes third.

The record received a severe shaking down by Bennett to 2 mm. 51k sec. in the One-mile Championship, which is" only H sec. behind Cortib' record of 2 mm. 56 &cc. The Ten-miles Championship produced a still greater surprise, each mile from the second to the tenth being record for the Association Ground, and to crown the whole, the time— 33 mm. 19 sec— for the ten miles is record for the world for grass track, Wood thus being the first Australian who has beaten the English record. There was some unpleasantness over the collision between the champions. Shackelford, however, seems to have been in the wrong, for he rode nearly abreast of Bennett for about three miles, and refused to take the lead. Mr C: W. Bennett, the champion, intends to retire from the track. His racing career, which has only extended over five years, has been remarkably successful. One year he won 12 out of 20 handicaps. This was as a member of the Speedwell Club, England. Another season he started in 40 handicaps, won 12 firsts, 12 seconds, and 5 thirds. As a proof that it is not always the biggest men who succeed in athletic contests, we give particulars of Mr Bennett's height and weight. He is sft B£in in height, and when racing weighs lOst 31b. He rides a 54in Humber, weighing 221b. There will likely be some close competition on our local racing paths during the ensuing season. Cutten and Baldwin are going to retire, but on the other hand Fisher is importing a nevv racer of extraordinary lightness, and Cantrell will appear on Cutten's machine. I have always had a high opinion of Cantr ell's powers, and if he will only train properly Fisher will not have matters all his own way even with his new machine.

Mr O'Keefe will endeavour in the course of a month or so to break the record- to Lawrence and back, which is at present held by Mr Teschner. O'Keefe will ride his recently-im-ported " Kangaroo." Writing of the " Kangaroo," a good story is told of a Dunedin pressman who mounted the machine with the view of being able to state in his report that he had learnt the art of bicycling in ten minutes. He mounted with great confidence, and sailed along beautifully, pipe in mouth, for a few yards. Now the " Kangaroo " is, generally speaking, a very docile animal, and not much given to rebellion, but somehow or other on the occasion of which I write the animal's docility seemed to have entirely deserted it. Whether it was in consequence of its aversion to representatives of tho Fourth Estate or an extra push on the part of his master I do not know, but somehow or other the " Kangaroo " suddenly decided to put his nose on the ground and his heels in the air. The rider did likewise. Report sayeth he muttered a brief prayer, also that he saw stars. His account of the " Kangaroo " bicycle had certain qualifying clauses about abrasions of the cuticle !