AN ALL-NIGHT RIDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2076, 7 December 1893, Page 34

AN ALL-NIGHT RIDE.

Dear Demon, — On St. Andrew's Day two members of the Dunedin Cycling Club started for Oamaru for the purpose of competing at the Oamaru Rovers' sports. Leaving Dunedin by the 7.40 a.m. train, after a very tedious passage Oamaru was reached at 1.15 p.m. Mr Macdonald, the secretary of the club, met the riders at the station, and took them to the Criterion Hotel, where justice was done to a good lunch.

A start was immediately afterwards made for the North grounds, and during the afternoon they successfully competed in several races. Whilst the excitement of the afternoon was at its height the last train for Dunedin passed unheeded, and seeing that both men were expected at work at 9 the following morning, the loss of the train put them in a very awkward position. After consultation they decided to ride through to Dunedin that night — a decision adhered to notwithstanding tho persuasions of the members of the Oamaru Club, who pressed them to remain for the smoke concert after the sports.

Accordingly, after a la,te tea the p\ir f-eb oufc, leaving the Criterion a few minutes after 8. Notwithstanding the fact that both riders were dressed in thei&best clothes— starch shirt, high collar and fancy tie, heavy double-breasts d coat, and trousers — the pace for the lirst hour was a real scorcher, and although a part of the road between Maheno and Otepopo was rather rough, and the last part was ridden in a heavy

drizzle, yet on reaching Waianakarua ib was found the first 18 miles had been covered in Ihr 20min, Before leaving Oamaru one of the local cyclists had kindly supplied the party with a lamp, and darkness having now come upon them and a heavy rain falling, it was decided to light up. To accomplish this was no easy matter, because, in the first place, the matches were slightly damp, and secondly, a dry place could nob be found on which to strike them. However, after wasting a dozen matches and about as many minutes success came at last, and the libble lamp shed its homely rays along the daik and floppy road. Ib was now necessary to ride in single file, the rider with the lamp taking the lead, and although Hampden was only four miles distant from the last halting place, yet ib book bhreequarbers of an hour bo reach ib. Leaving Hampden at 10.30, and the night being now clearer, the pace was again made a clinker till the cave at the foot of the Horse Range was reached. It was now that real hard work commenced, for besides the hill and mud, a head wind and rain had to be contended with, and the darkness becoming so groat, ib was almosb a matter of impossibility to keep on tho road. On account of this walking had to be substituted for cycling until the worst part of the range was traversed and familiar ground was reached. Again mounting, travelling was pleasanter, although extremely slow and rather dangerous owing to the intense darkness and the soft state of the road. However, the rider with the light was sent ahead, and the other following close behind would every now and than lose sight of the light on account of its disappearing round a bend or down a hill ; then all he could do was to dismount and shout out until the light was brought back. Or the rider following the light would come upon a hill unawares, and as the machines were nob provided with brakes, a bolt past the light into darkness was frequent. Lights could now be seen in the distance, and as the road had improved considerably and the rain ceased, the pace was increased, and Palmerston reached ab 1 a.m. The inner man now began to call aloud, and seeing the lights of the hotels set up for ths guidance of travellers in search of accommodation, a call was made at the nearest house. Bub ab 1 a.m. the bed is snug and publicans are deaf, especially in Palmerston, where one house after another was tried, bub without success. Turning away from these tempting lights with a heavy heart ari"d an empty stomach, it was determined to push on for the next town — Waikouaiti — 10 miles ahead. The surface and the grade of the roads being favourable, pedalling was easy and fast. As Palmerston was passed through, lights couM be seen in several houses, but as everybody appeared to keep a dog — judging from the noiss made — a visit to any of these houses in search of food was not attempted. On reaching the summit at Goodwood the riders were startled by seeing a column of fire immediately in front of them. This column shot into the heavens and then, bursting into a thous^jsd fragments, displayed the various colours of the rainbow in its descent. But this was only the forerunner of a more magnificent display of fireworks, which, as was afterwards discovered, came from the residence of Mr Puddy, of Tumai, whose daughter's wedding was being celebrated. The cyclists determined to visit this house and ask to bo allowed the run of the dining room for half an hour, but much to their disgust the road leading to the house could not be found. Tearing their eyes away from this gay and festive scene they turned them once more on to the cold dark road, and again pushed on. Waikouaiti was now in sight, and by 1.45 the travellers arrived in front of the Golden Fleece Hotel, and after kicking ab the front door for abaut 10 minutes a light suddenly appeared in ona of the upstair windows, and a few minutes afterwards the door opened and admittance was gained. The hotelkeeper was very kind considering bhab he had been broughb out of bed, and after searching the house succeeded in finding something for the done-up travellers to eat. The stay here was very short, and having again mounted their machines and bid good-bye to their host, the now weary riders pedalled away for Dunedin at 2.15 a.m. The road became very heavy after the Waikouaiti bridge was crossed, and continued in this state until the Kilmog was reached, when it improved. Daylight now commenced to break, and with ib appeared the last quarter of the moon and a clear sky. It certainly was very wrong of the moon to hide itself until daylight. The Kilmog was safely negotiated and Blueskin reached at 4.30. Continuing to push on, the foot of Mount Cargill was reached at 5 o'clock, and it was here that the weary travellers thought of lying down to die. How ever, they did not give in, but continued to crawl up the mountain side as best they could, and at length the top was reached. After passing the Mount Cargill schoolhouse the pace increased until the wheels commenced to hum, and by the time half the descent was made the rate of speed had increased so much that the trees on each side of the road appeared to the riders as one continuous b n ack wall. Flying down the Valley through mud and wind, the Leith bridge was reached at 6 o'clock, when the travellers separated. A hot bath, a cold shower, a good rub down, dry clothes, and a big breakfast completely set them up, and by 8.30 each one appeared at work as fresh as the larks that had sung to them at daybreak three hours before. — Yours truly, Raglan.