NOTES BY DEMON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 33

NOTES BY DEMON.

Mr Harry Y. Edmonds who has just completed a bicycle tour from Wellington to Auckland, via Napier and Rotorua, had an extremely rough journey ; but although the roads from Wellington until he reached Auckland were none of the best, yet they were far preferable to those passed over on his return trip from New Plymouth to Wellington. Much bush country had to be passed through, where for sometimes 20 miles the cyclist was forced to cany his machine, and wade knee-deep in mud and over logs. However, Mr Edmonds will have the satisfaction of knowing that he has accomplished the round trip of the North Island, which has never before been attempted by anyone.

— — Representatives from the Christchurch Cycling Club and the Pioneer Bicycle Club at a recent meeting passed the following resolution :: — •• That as the Lancaster Park Company has decided to lay down an asphalt cycling track at Lancaster Park, the eye ing clubs withdraw their support from the Sydenham Borough Council."

A new stylo of bicycle, which has just been constructed by Messrs Adams, dirties, and Co., of Christchurch, has attracted a good deal of attention during the few days on which it has been on view. The machine has been named the "Maori," and is the invention of Mr T. C. Dcnnison, of Oamaru. Some months ago a rough sketch of the idea was handed to Messrs Adams, Curties, and Co,, with instructions to work out the details and to construct a cycle to be propelled by tho hands and feet working simultaneously. The aotion of riding resembles that in rowing, the lever for the hands being pivoted to the frame. The steering is effected by a universal joint, with connecting rods to the steering head, Tho gearing is 150 in, which really means that tho machine covers 38ft for every revolution of the crank. This gear is far too high for road work, for experiment now proves that a lower gear would suit the new machine, and it would increasethe pace considerably. The finish and get up of the Maori reilects credit on the builders.

The West Australian Cycling Club held a championship meeting, commencing on May 24. The 10-miles Championship of West Australia was won byC. Dent, in 32min 39^sec. He also won the Two-mile Bracelet Race from the 50yds mark, and a three-mile scratch race. A stupid decision was made over a mile maiden race. The machines had to weigh over 351b. T. Brittain won fairly, but was disqualified, as his machine, which scaled 361b before the race, weighed 371b afterwards. He rode very hard, and perhaps (says " Philibuster ") the perspiration may account for extra weight in the saddle, as West Australia is a hot place.

— — — Mr F. Toms, of Adelaide, has beaten the 100-mile record of South Australia. His time, 6hr BJkmin, is 4£min behind Body's New Zealand time.

The League of New South Wales Wheelmen is about to play a prominent part in the forthcoming elections. Good roads, fair and equitable legislation, fair rates of carriage, and remission of duties are said to be some of the planks in the cyclists' platform. From a recently-compiled return it is said

that the league can command about 2500 voted throughout the colony. Certain candidates will shortly be selected, and every support given by the town and country members of the league.

At a road race held by the Northcote Cycling Club near Melbourne on 9fch insfc , nine lady cyclists rode out to see the start. One lady donned the rational costume. The only difference to tho ordinary costume is knickers and gaiters worn under a short skirt. Christchurch has a number of riders who don tho rational costume, and Duuedin possesses one lady rider with sufficient courage to appear in the most comfortable garb for cycling. The Calford Cycling Club held its annual race meeting at Herne Hill, London, on May 12, and their effor's were crowned with success. At this meeting professional racing was seen for the first time at Herne Hill, and one of the most interesting races of tho daywas the team race between tho English and French cyclists. There was a deal of finessingbetween the different riders to obtain tho vantage places for their team, and during the first part of the last milo the Frenchmon had th& Englishmen nicely pocketed, but the move was. too early, and at tho bell the Englishmen had neatly turned the tables and were in the best places. Racing up the straight, Edwards, one of the Englishmen, held first place, but was caught napping by Dumond, one of the Frenchmen, who, landing a clever winner by about a foot, let go of hishandles and clapped his hands with evident delight. The race was won by tho English team,, who registered 17 points as against 19 registered against the Frenchmen. The Frenchmen protested against the alleged pocketing by the Englishmen, but tho protest was dismissed.

At this meeting Wheeler, the cash-prize king of America, competed in the mile professional race, but was easily disposed of by T. James, of Cardiff, who won the race, very slowly ridden, in 3min 44Jsec— last quarter in 30 4-ssec. The American must either have been off-colour or the American climate makes a big difference. His stylo is stated to bo stilty, and his judgment poor.

Another record gone ! The 50 miles out and home record has again fallen, and the time now stands at 2hr 27min 2sec, by Fowler and Steer, of tha Macclesaeld Cycling Club. Dr Droix gave an interesting lecture a. short timo ago on cycling from a medical point of view at tho Brussels Cycling Exhibition. Relying on the opinion of the greatest medical notabilities of the present day, the lecturerasserted that the use of the bicycle was suitable to all ages, to all temperaments, and to both sexes ; it being only necessary for very young children to abstain from its uso.

Many men profess to regard with horror the fate of those who ride full roadsters weighing from 381b upwards. What would these dainty gentry say if they were condemned to perform a long distance journey on mounts of not less than 801b all on ? Yet such was the task required of the competitors in the recent Dutch military cyclists' ride. Thus handicapped, and with six river crossings to make, the winner still succeeded in covering 164£ miles in 15hr 14min, making over 10 miles an hour.

Persons interested in preventing the adoption of wood rims in England arc busy circulating reports to the effect that they are both unreliable and dangerous. Against this supporters of wood point out that the material is very largely used in America by all tho leading riders, and that mishaps aro not nearly so frequent as with steel rims. German riders are taking up the innovation, and Wheeler, the American cash rider, at present in Paris, who used steel rims after leaving tho States, has gone back to his old love. He had a steel rim buckle under him while riding in Paris, and says such a thing never occurred to himjwitb. wood rims.

"An American," says Inventions, "has devised a triplet watorcycle in which the entire body of the boat forms the screw. In fact, it is apparently neither more nor less than a light tubular frame, supporting cranks, pedals, seat, and handle-bar, supported in the water upon a huge twin-screw of hollow metal, of suitable size to give a displacement sufficient to support the whole apparatus and riders. About 14 miles per hour is said to be its average rate of travel."

The latest lady convert to safety cycling is the champion swimmer, Miss Laura Sargeman, of the Devonshire Baths, Eastbourne, who can make many members of the sterner sex sit up a bit on the road, and declares that cycling greatly assists her in her profession.

Smith's improved corrugated, nonslipping compressed rubber shield, are very simple articles (says Cycling), but very useful and effectual ones. They are strips of thin pure rubber, with the centre compressed into small corrugations, and are fixed on to the tyre with solution. Their chief advantage lies in their anti-puncture qualities, thestrip of rubber not only protecting the tread, but being at once pure and compressed, tending to eject anything the wheel catches up. The corrugations, small as they are, are of use as a guard against side-slips. The wearing qualities of the strip are remarkable. Mr Smith has a tandem fitted with them that has run 3000 miles without showing any signs of wear ; whilst, being all rubber, they keep on.

Tyre-making is said to have a curious effect upon the operators. The gas ejected by the naphtha and rubber has the effect of a tonic, and causes an abnormal appetite. The operators are also said to be proof against infectious diseases.

A company with a capital of £12,000 has been formed to work the pneumatic skate.

— — Cycling is a sport that embraces all classes of society, but it is very seldom indeed that a millionaire is reported to have snecumbed to its fascinating influence. France, however, is rejoicing in one in'the person of M. Lebaudy, a young gentleman who is reputed to be worth £4,000,000 sterling, and whose mother recently sought legal assistance to curb his supposed, extravagances. The law, however, decided ho was entitled to spend his money according to his faney — and he is doing so. He is said to have recently offered a wellknown English firm £100 for a machine down to a certain weight, but they, considering their reputation at stake owing to its instability, declined to oxeoute the order.

Chin Sing, Chinese laundryman, of Lewiston, Me., dresses in the American fashion, and hides his pigtail under his dip hat. He is interested in cycling, and has several pictures of famous bicyclists hung up around the laundry. He also has a pile of bicycle literature under his ironing board, among which the American Athlete figures conspicuously, which he takes out now and then, and reads over and over. He can read English a little, and has the photograph of a minister whom he knew in Portland hung on the wall. Talking of riding, Chin Sing says : "Me ride a bicycle once. Whiz ! Whur-r-r ! Uph, me learn slow ! Sore head." -

On no account should one be tempted into indulging in a hot bath after a long and fat'guing ride. The system at such a time needs invigorating, whereas, as is well known among the medical fraternity, a hot bath has a decidedly prejudicial effect— in fact, persons afflicted with weak hearts aro advised never to submit themselves to such an operation. A

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far 'more preferable method to pursue, and one"" that will y : eld more beneficial results to the muscular system, is to adopt sponging. Tej>id water should be used in the winter riid cold water in the summer, and the bath should not be entered until the body has nearly recovered its normal temperature. Speaking of the fienson anatomical saddle Bicycling News says : — "We have been for some weeks carefully testing this new contrivance, with satisfactory results from all points of view. The Henson saddle may be described as two cushions with central depressions, representing the back part of an ordinary saddle, but without any peak in front. The saddle requires some adjustment before it is comfortable. Some people find one particular angle more comfortable than another, but as soon as the right point is reached the saddle will be found easy. It admits of very straight driving. The knees can be brought close together, and a rider using a narrow tread and keeping his heels clear of the machine will find this a distinct gain in power. We almost touch the top tube on either side when pushing. Where the merit of the anatomical saddle comes in is in the fact that its user sits as nature intended him to sit — upon the bones. These carry his weight, and there is neither central ridge nor peak to produce the disastrous results which have followed in the cases of W F. Sutton and others from long sitting in the saddle. The depressions which take the weight go practically through the air bags, but they so carry the weight that a slight shifting of the position secures relief from pressure— an impossibility with some types of air saddle— and the skin circulation is not interrupted, and the numbness and subsequent pain not felt The saddle, beiDg in effect two cushions with a separation between them, is most amply ventilated, and any rider, more especially heavy men who have been unable to find a comfortable saddls up to now, will in all probability find the anatomical the very thing to suit them."

A rich inhabitant of Buda-Pcsth, M. Jordan, seb out with the intention of visiting the Balkan Peninsula, and even Asia Minor, on a, bicycle, but his journey was brusquely interrupted at a small village near Philippopolis. A rumour spread that a magician, mounted on an odd machine, had made his appearance. The inn was swarmed by the peasants, the bicycle was exorcised by the Pope, and then taken to pieces, and the rider bad to made the best of his way on foot to the nearest railway station.. He returned to his country via Constantinople and Bucharest.

■ France holds the record for an handicap entry, 600 having entered for the 100 kilometres Handicap of the Union Velocipedique Frangaise. Everybody seems racing mad in France. A novel christening procession has ju--t taken place at Najera — a "cycle" christening ! The precious infant -was carried to church on a bicycle with the nurse behind it ; the godfather and godmother followed on wheels in the same manner, and a large gathering of friends on "iron steeds" came after, having assembled from all round the neighbourhood, and even as far as from Mantua and Verona The priest made no objection to this manner of bringing a lamb to the fold of the church — indeed, how could he, if its own parents permitted the risk of its life and limbs in such a way ?

On the Continent cycling, like every other pursuit or occupation of life, has to furnish its yearly quota of victims to the altar of the conscription. In the sales columns of French cycling papers, "on account of military service" is a stereotyped reason assigned for the disposal of a machine. Racing men, too, are not unfrequently snatclied away from the midst of a successful season to serve their time with the colours. Paul Leinert, champion of Saxony, having served his term of military service, returns this year to the path. '^Carrying a watch on the handle-bar may be a very'good practice," remarks the funny man in his forthcoming volume on the "Practical Theory of Successful Racing," but I never recommend it to a beginner ambitious of cutting a record. For it cannot be denied that whenever a man has a watch in front of him, he is bound to be behind time.