CYCLING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 41

CYCLING NOTES.

BY DEMON.

The annual road race of the Dunedin Cycling Club takes place this Saturday, a postponement having been thought advisable owing to the Easter holidays interfering with training.

The Bruce Cycling Club are about io make another effort to secure a piece of land with a view to the formation ot a cycling track. Mr E. C. Hine has been appointed a member of the committee vice Mr J. M'Leod resigned

The Lumsden Cycling Club are also en the lookout for a site for a track.

The second road race of the season under the auspices of the Lumsden Cycling Club was held on Wednesday afternoon, 29th ult., over a 10-mile course. An interesting finish resulted thus: G. King (lmin) 1, C. Davis (scr) 2, J. Crawley (lOmin) 3. As a "take-off" on tho action now being taken in Alastertqn against cyclists riding' without lights, a procession of wheelmen paraded the streets the other night carrying all the most ridiculous lamps that were obtainable; huge street lamps and kerosene tins with glass fronts being brought into requisition. Some of the waggish wheelers also rfarried cow-bells.

Cycling road racing within the jounty of Hawera lias received its death knell The proposed now by-laws of the- Hawera County Council prohibit cyclists riding faster than 30 mile" an hour.

There was quite a scene on the show ground yesterday, says tho North Otago Times Si the 4th isst.j during the Two-mile Bicyol§

race. On the southern side of the track there is a sharp curve, and the cinders, etc., as the •cyclists fly round the bend, "give!" with the bicycle', and the cyclist, if he is not an adept at equilibration, finds himself prone with his machine on top of him. Four cyclists came to grief' at this curve yesterday, the first coming, to grief through his inability to maintain his equipoise, and the others tumbling over each other in their efforts to avoid the prostrate competitor. No one was injured, but the accident spoilt the race.

In the first of a series of bicycle races run under the auspices of the Mabel Cycling Club, the results were as follows: — Half-mile bicycle race: D. Ogilvie (scr) 1, E. Bridgman (50yds) 2, A. Ogilvie (80yds) 3. Time, lmin 13sec. Three-milo bicycle race : D. Ogilvie (scr) 1, E. Bridgman (400 yds) 2, E. Wright (230 yds) 3. Time, 9min.

At a committee meeting of the Dunedin C.C. , held on Monday night, arrangements in connection with tho club's annual road race were reported as completed. The course will be from Riccarton tc Waihola and back, a distance of about 25 miles, and as th 6 roads are now in splendid order, good times should be registered. Pacing will not be allowed. In addition to prizes of £8, £3, and £1, a prize will be given for the fastest time. Entries close on Wednesday, the 12th inst.

The monthly meeting of the Otago C.C. was held on Monday evening in the club room, Octagon ; present — Messrs M'Donald (in the chair), Courtis, Cowie, Harris, Begg, Stokes, Munden, Gunthorpe, Jago, and Crawford. A large amount of routine business was transacted, and several new members were elected.

Tho results of the Championship meeting of tho League of Victorian Wheelmen, held oh Saturday, April 1, are as follows: — The One-mile Championship was run off in five heats and a final, and was won by W. C. Jackson, with D. J Walker Bccond, and W. M'Donald third. In the Five-mile Championship 31 riders competed. The raco was won by W. C. Jackson, with R W. Lewis second, and J. W Parsons third. Time, llmin 34 4-ssec. The Ten-mile Championship brought out 28 rilers. The race was won by R. H Walne, with A. C Forbes second, and W. C. Jackson third. Time, 23min 55 l-sscc. • - *— ReguletioM are Rojr-ready f.Qß.gßfcgfifi-.

ment in Johannesburg affecting bicycle riders. They read as follows: — Each owner or holder of a bicycle for purpose of hire or otherwise, within- the jurisdiction" of the -Town Council of Johannesburg, must take out in January of every year a yearly license, for which the sum of 10s per annum must be paid. The new badge is a little metal plate, which will be affixed to the axle of the front wheel, between the fork and the outside nut. The inscription is " S.R.J. " (Staads Raad, Johannesburg), with a number and the year for which the license is taken out.

At a meeting of the League of Victorian Wheelmen Executive it was reported that the special committee had inquired into the statement of S. Gordon to the effect that he had been offered £50 by a bookmaker to " run dead " in the last L.V.W. Cup. The committee had learned from Gordon the name of the bookmaker, but finding that the bookmaker's address was not known, and could not be discovered, they had decided that nothing could be gained by pursuing the matter any further. After some discussion this was agreed to.

Owing to the New Zealand Customs authorities demanding a heavy duty on the £50 worth of gold medals given by the Dunlop Company in connection with the 100 miles relay road ride, and which were won by the Christchurch team, the big tyre company has decided not to pay the duty asked on tho medals, but to have duplicates manufactured in Christchurch instead. The medals specially manufactured in Melbourne will more than likely be donated again for a similar contest this winter.

Plucky little Gargurevich, • the Vie. racing cyclist, is about to follow the example of Welshman Michael, and forsake the bike for the horse. Gargy, who in his spare time is a clerk in the V.A.T.C. office, has studied out the theory of jockeyship, with the result that he has. discovered something — he will not disclose what — that knocks Ted Sloan's discovery kite-high. He is having two saddles built for the purpose of testing his theory, and cycling IMelb. is now wondering whether Gargy is going to win the next Melbourne Cup seated on the winner's rump or slung in a basket round his neck. The inventor himself hears these pcofters with a snort of contempt, and remarks that one of these days horse-ownArs, who think they know every tiling now, will be going down on all four 3 asking him to ride for them. Let us hope co. Some horse-owners will look better in that position. — Bulletin.

In his report of the annual Championship meeting of the League of Victorian Wheelmen " Philibuster " in the Australasian has the following account of a serious accident that happened. The day and night's proceedings were just on the verge of closing last Saturday at the Exhibition — it was, in fact, the last lap of the night in the ten-mile championship — when the onlookers were startled and horrified to see a terrible smash, in which five men were involved. At tho eastern end the track is banked steepest to enable the riders to get round the bend while going at full speed, each anxious to gain the lead at about 40 yards further on, where tho home turn has to be negotiated. This is always the most important point of a race, and anyone standing outside the ironrailed fence there can judge precisely how terribly exciting and oftentimes dangerous the racing is when a dozen take the corner at 30 to 40 miles an hour, all the time-lean-ing over at an angle which makes those who see them for the first time fancy they must over-balance and fall over into the arena. I was utanding near this spot in the afternoon when Farley came down and somersaulted on the track, while leaning over in this way, for his left pedal, which was attached to an extra- long crank, touched the asphalt, with the result noted. Ilow Saturday night's acci-

Where the" bell rang announcing the last lap Body, Forbes, Coi'bett, Jackson, and Walne were leading in the order named.- A dozen others were tearing along close behind. Body was evidently trying' to put in a - lap sprint to win, but when the eastern end, was reached he. had been superseded by Forbes i and Jackson, while Walne was coming from" behind with a great dash. Suddenly there was a crash, Body was dashed on to the track, and in. less time than it takes to tell M 'Donald, Lewis, Denning, and Symonds were shot pell-mell right and left across the track. Denning struck the iron fence with his forehead, gashing himself hrribly, and fracturing his right arm. By somo miraculous means Walne scraped past, overhauled the leaders, 12 yards from the post, and won by half a wheel from Forbes and W. C. Jackson, with Corbett close behind. In the meantime three men lay stunned — Denning, M 'Donald, and Lewis. Symonds was pitched yards in falling, and fell on his back, but he got up quick and lively to avoid being run over, and then stood dazed, while the crowd rushed the arena as the band was playing " God Save the Queen." Dr F. G. Beckett, the league's medical officer, and Dr F. W. W. Morton were quickly on the spot, and with the ambulance corps, removed the injured. On Monday all the men were about again, some of them being covered with lint and bandages, but being in firstclass health they will soon recover from the injuries.

The Mexican wheelman has not yet accepted the • American knickerbocker. A Western contemporary says. that he gathers his wide-bottomed trousers around the ankle with a strap and lets it go at that. Ho not only retains the picturesque garments which he used to affect on horseback, but he has them made id still more striking colours — adds a few more bright buttons, a little more gold and silver lace. He keeps his wide-brimmed sugar-loaf hat and decorates it still more lavishly He does not use drop handle bars; therefore he does not hump over. He rides erect, as he used to on his horse, head up, shoulders tin own back, and eyes alert for approving feminine glances. He smokes the inevitable cigarette — after he has become sufficiently expert to manage his machine with one hand. He is no scorcher. He does not boast about his mileage record or indulge in century runs, but he comes out in the cool of the evening and circles around the public square where the band is playing. While Mexico is not exactly a wheelman's paradise, tlicre are plenty of good roads to be found in the country. In the City of Mexico there are many miles of broad, smooth boulevards, and these make bicycling very popular in the capital.

At a meeting of the Transvaal Cycling Union, Martin, of Lowell, U.S.A., was questioned regarding a fine of 35d0l which the League of American Wheelmen alleged was still due. Martin eaid it had been paid in Capetown, but he had not the receipt, but he would pay it over again rather than be prevented from racing. The L.A.W. desired that the fipe should be paid to any union affiliated with the International Cyclists' Association, whose official receipt would be a discharge.

■ We have seen trick cyolißU almost ad nauseam, but it has been left foi Mr v Sam Brown to introduce something really novel in the way of trick cycling. I»gfenk£ of the fiafety bicycle, Mr Brown perform* his tricks upon a bicycle standing 16ft in^ height. Tlie wheels of this machine are larger than those of the ordinary safety bicycle, and the machine weighs 1501b, 30 that the mere effort of propelling it necessitates great muscular strength. At the Klerksdorp sports recently. Mr Brown startled the South Africans by his marvellous performances on this strange mount. He mounted the machine dressed in white flannels, with blazer and cap. These he dive^te4 htmgelf Qi while riding up and dow.u

in front of the pavilion, and appeared in,darfs blue tights and a handsomely trimmed ier»'> sey. He next went through a variety of tricks' which, considering the fact that they wera performed at such a high altitude, were both, clever and perilous. He stooped behind the fuddle and pedalled with a foot and a hand. He. laid himself across the saddle and pedalled with his hands and feet alternately. The handle shaft of his machine projects above the bar, terminating in a flat sort of handle, and he steered the machine with his teeth by means of this projection and with hands folded behind. He then lay on his back with '.iis feet over the handles, he stood on tho s.'ddle with one foot, stood upright and Scored with one foot, pedalled with one hand while lying flat on the saddle, pedalled with one foot while steering with his teeth, steered with teeth while lying flat on the saddle with arms and legs outstretched, and cIH a variety of other tricks very neatly and skilfully, never foi one moment losing control of the machine. Needless to say, he was loudly applauded by the spectators. The difficulty of his performance was greatly increased by the greasy nature of the track-— The Cycle.

The advent of the cycle in Chili waa hailed with joy by the younger inhabitants-, hut, unfortunately, this somewhat prematura enthusiasm has not been able to survive the deplorable condition of the roads. A desperate attempt was made to supply the deficiency by the laying of racing tracks, but they' were of such defective construction that the movement has died from lack of support, and, unfortunately, there are no manufacturing firms to .offer inducements to racing men. A 333metre (1092 ft) track, however, has been constructed at Conception, the third town of tho Republic. In Santiago itself not a single motor-car has made its appearance, and the few carriages that have been fitted with pneumatic tyres spend most of their time at tho repairers with punctures to mend. _ She was riding through the traffic of a city street, and she was encompassed with dangers. Presently a crisis arrived ; a hansom cut across her path and she had to run into the kerb and dismount in some confusion, after a very narrow escape from a collision. What was her first action on finding herself safely alighted on the pavement? She felt her back hair!

It is reported that 4700 Cherokees, 3900 Creeks, and 1500 Delaware Indians, who own property worth halt a million dollars, will leave Vinita, Indian territory, bound for Mexico. They have bought 2000 bicycles for the exodus and 250 waggons. The Cherokees will settle on 500 acres of land purchased near Durango, the Creeks at Guadalajara, and tha Delawarea in Sonora. The Indians are civilised, and many are highly educated and have been engaged in farming. They complain of ill-treatment by the American Government, and assert that constant violation of their treaties and wholesale injustice compel them, to leave the United States and become citizens of the' Mexican Ttepublio. Several Cleveland riders (says an American exchange) experienced what they • described as a " funny snap " in an attempt to secure the first century of the year, on New Year's Day. In order to ensure against darkness on their return trip they provided themselves with acetylene lamps. When it came time to light up they found that not a lamp would burn— '-rathei surprising/ con.' fiidering tha fact that all- remembered, having replenished their water- and carbide before starting. Shaking disclosed the fact that the, water reservoirs were all apparently empty; but, in attempting to fill them, a new mystery arose, for not a reservoir would hold another drop. Then someone discovered that every lamp was frozen solid. Moral ; In winter, don't put' in water until needed. " " No, gentlemen, I would not exag. gerate even the advantages of my state over others," observed the league member from California, as he leaned his wheel against tho radiator and drew forth a small flask, which he applied to his olfactory protuberance with evident satisfaction. " No, I'm not a drinking man," he continued, a 1 * he noted the glances turned on tho flask. " I was just taking a little breath of compressed air from the land of flowers — California air, gentlemen, which my state of health requires me to carry with me. If I should tell you of the life-giving effect this has on me you would not believe it — though I am the last one who would indulge in wilful misrepresentation. As a very simple illustration of its curative qualities, I need only to mention a single incident. Three months ago I left Los Angcfes on my wheel for a leisurely trip to the east to attend the Providence meeting, and while passing through Kansas I stopped to see an aunt who was in the last stages of consumption. Well, gentlemen, as the bungling servant was rolling my wheel into the hall he accidentally — but most fortunately, as ifc proved — punctured the tyre, and the air, which had been brought from California, escaped into the sick room. The effec f on the patient was magical, for in less than two weeks my aunt was a well woman! Mind, I don't say she 'was- stouter tha» she ever was before in her life — as some might' have said who have no regard for the .truth — but she was. in just as good health , as if she had never had the disease. No,- gentlemen, we California riders don't claim that our climate raises the dead,- but" "It raises Rome pretty versatile liars," suggested a member from Maine, who was a pretty good prevaricator himself. ' It pains me to confess that such may be the case," replied , the Californian mournfully; "for there are black sheep in all flocks. But those of us who have the courage to be honest are trying to atone for the sins of those by sticking to the bare, plain truth." And as he strolled off toward the cigar stand it was observed that his nose was again thrust to the neck of the flask.

WHAT SOME CYCLISTS ENDURE.

A physician has just given it as his opinion that bicycle hallucinations are becoming a recognised nervous disorder. " I know a half a dozen cases," said he, "and there are, I suppose, many more. These hallucinations take variouf forms. A lady patienjf: consulted me not long ago, and she said that when .riding in a thoroughfare along! which tramcars run, she feels a wild impulse to topple against a car when she meets one. She cannot help the feeling. She is ? good rider.

"Another lady said that whenever Bhe 18 out riding she feels that somebody is riding behind her, scorching, as it were, and is going: to 'run into her machine at any moment. Of course, there is no ground for the lady's fears. She is hysterical. She only feels thia sensation when she is riding alone.

" A nervous man came into my surgery recently, and desired me to examine his eyes, t found them all righr. He paid tliatf when he was out riding the ground seemed! to curl up before him, and occasionally to. slip away from him. This curling process continued as long as he rode, commencingto attack him a few minutes after he started; on a journey. It was easy to see where tbfu mischief lay. He stared at the gioujog QfeJ&j

the front wheel, then raised his head, when the curling up of the landscape began — really caused by the sudden flow of blood to and from the brain. " If a rider sits straight up on his machine 'these sensations cannot occur. I have now > young lady patient, another cycliste, who "complains of trembling violently whenever she rides on her bicycle, and the strange part of it is that she imparts the agitated ntotion to her machine. It does not appear to exhaust her, so there is the probability that she will outgrow the uncomfortable feeling. *'All these cases point to the fact that the ,'riders referred to are endowed with a highly pensioned nervous system, producing peculiar hallucinations, named at present ' bicycle hysterics.' "From a health point of view, I regard fcycling ,a 8 a very valuable pastime, but I do not believe in long journey rides. Then it becomes very mischievous. There is one factor the cyclists should always consider— the heart. It must not be overtaxed; it is brought into play very much whilst you are cycling."