CYCLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 1824, 5 November 1886, Page 27

CYCLING.

Br Demon.

WHEEL NOTES.

The chief topic of conversation among6t wheelmen at the present time centres on the great event which looms in the near future—lntercolonial Amateur Cycle Race meeting, which will be held on the Melbourne Cricket-ground, on Saturday, 13th November, under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor. Never before has interest over wheel racing run so high in Melbourne. Perhaps it is somewhat early to write about likely winners of the numerous events, for some men have as yet done but little training, and there is really no telling how some will shape after another fortnight on the path. For the £200 trophy, as things are at present, the general opinion seems to be that W. Brown, with 230 yds start, has a " throw in." Brown is an Buglish rider, who arrived in the colony about nine months ago. Although he has several times appeared on the Melbourne racing paths, he has not done anything to bring him into prominence, but this i 6 to be accounted for by the limited training he has undergone. He is a very old hand at wheeling, having first ridden a boneshaker in 1874. His racing career dates back from 1879, from which time up to the present he has raced with more or less success. Brown's chances, however, may look very good on paper, but when the race comes on, and be has to mix up with 46 more riders, every one of whom will be just as eager to win the prize as himself, the winner will have all his work cut out to steer through the crowded field. To show the advantages a club or a rider may reap from being associated with the V.C.U., attention may be drawn to the case of Mr E. ! O'Brien. As a member of the East Melbourne j Bicycle Club, he was riding his bicycle home from Keilor one Saturday afternoon a few months ago, when a man driving a buggy ruthlessly drove against the machine, upset O'Brien, and the vehicle running over his chest fractured his breastbone. Mr G. A. Ward, as delegate for the E.M.B.C, laid the case before the V.C. Union, and the council of that body, on behalf of Mr O'Brien, brought an action against Fittes, the driver, suing him for damages. The matter has just been settled out of court by Fittes paying Mr O'Brien £150 and also defraying the heavy expenses in connection with the case. The Melbourne Bicycle Club took their monthly tour on October 16, and it looked like old times to see such a big muster of " greenies " out for a tour. The route chosen was through Coburg, Catnpbellfield, to Kilmore, a distance of 37 miles, whioh the wheelmen accomplished in four hours and a-quarter, the return home being made on the following day.