CYCLING NOTES BY DEMONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2363, 8 June 1899, Page 41

CYCLING NOTE S BY DEMONS.

From a report of the ordinary meeting of the League of New Zealand Wheelmen, held. on Monday, 29th ult., it will be seen that Phil. M. Muir, of this city, a well-known path racer, has been granted ie-instatement as an amateur. Mr Robert Morton, tho Australasian representative of the Rover Cycle Company, England, is at present in Dunedin on business connected with the compan) r . It is suggested that the matter of the frequency of the crime of stealing bicycles and the inadequate punishment meted out to offenders be brought forward at the next general election of the League of New Zealand Wheelman. proposal is mooted to construct a4ft bicyefff track from Lyell Bay, nar Wellington, around the Miramax Peninsula*. The co&l will be about £300, and the suggestion is to raise the amount by public subscriptions.

The Otago University Cycling Club held their annual road race on the 27th ult. over a course from Mosgiel to Allanton and Outram and back lo Mosgiel. The weather was all that could be desired, but the roads were in parts very muddy. Punctually at 2.30 the limit mon Orbcll and Alosely (7min) started, followed by Borrie (6min). Then came White and Seelye (3£min), -while Gibson (3min) was practically scratch man, as Will was away. Gibson caught the middle-markers at Allanton, and left them to catch the limit men. This, however, ho failed to do, for, pacing eacli other, they held their advantage, and Orbell eventually won by a few yards from Mosely, in 50j?min, which time was very good, considering the state of the roads and the fact that flocks of sheep caused several dismounts on the road. Gibson, who takes the prize for fastest time (4-7min), finished third, half a minute behind. Messrs Howlipon and Parker iuul charge of the arrangements. The race wab run under Alliance rules.

A special general meeting of the Taieri Cycling- Club Mas held at Mosgiel last week to receive a report from the Track Committee with reference to the cost of repairing the club's track. There was a good attendance of members. Mr A. F. Cheyne reported having visited the recreation ground wit's the committee appointed, and slated that it would require £60 to convert the old ti-ack into a serviceable track. The report having been discussed by those present, Mr Robertson moved, and Mr A. Christie seconded, that a bazaar be held to raise funds for repairing tho track. The motion was carried. A working r-'jmmittee, consisting o{ Messrs A. O'u-istie, J. Hamilton. S. Turnbull, •(. Henderson, A- Clieyne, A. T. Swilalla, W. Robertson, and H. Wright, was appointed ; and also canvassers for the various districts.

The Washington Star quotes the following opinions of an expert with reference to the pneumatic hub :— " The pneumatic hub is tlio coining invention in the bicycle line, and it promises to be a bigger thing in everyway than the pneumatic tyre, which made tho wheel the great success it is. Thpre is no denying that the solid tyre had about ended up the bicycle business when the pneumatic tyre was introduced and immediately caught on. But the pneumatic tyre is not altogether a perfect tiling, as many have realised to their discomfort and sorrow. While they don't puncture or explode as often as non-riders may imagine, there is an uncertainty about them that is very annoying, for there is no telling when they will break down, and, somehow, the breakdown always occurs at the most inconvenient place. The dozens of patterns and styles of punctureless tyres are all right, only they are not puncturelo=b. In every other respect they are all that is claimed for them. The punelureleFs tyre has not been invented yet, and probably will not be, for there will be no necessity for it if the pneumatic hub proves to be anything like as glorious an achievement as is claimed for it. There are already a half-dozen different kinds, which have been offered to manufacturers, and experiments are being made as to their practicability. The principal idea in them is to have the hub of the wheel built so that it can be inflated. This will give all the resiliency that is needed to make riding pleasant, and a good-bye can be said to pneumatic tyres. There will be a solid tyro again, as when the safety form of the wheel was introduced. The pneumatic hub which has the most springiness or resiliency about it, and which at the same time is thoroughly strong and safe, will go into general use immediately. I do not know that any manufacturer is sufficiently satisfied with the various pneumatic hubs which have been offered to announce

that it is practical, and will do the work of a man who never rode a wheel of any kind. The next best, as far as I learn, is the invention of a. mere boy, who is very likely to be a millionaire if his idea works out right. The wheelman, of course, can get along with the pneumatic tyre and can keep on pumping and patching it up, but lie won't do so if the pneumatic hub offers itself. It will be a satisfaction to him if he can leave his kit of tools at homo during his runs, for while many are expert in repairing punctures, 99 out of every 100 riders are not, and are not inclined to learn how to do it."

A very important 50 miles international bicycle race was decided at the Pare dcs Princes track, Paris, on Sunday, April 16, when some of the best middle distance cracks, including Tom Linton (Wales), Stnrbuek (America), Walters (London), and Digeon (Paris),, competed. The race resulted in tho victory of Walters, in the splendid time of lhr 35min 17 l-ssec, Digeon being second, and Tom Linton third. The American, Starbuck, who was one of the favourites for the race, gave up about half-way, Digeon being then in front, but owing to an accident to his pacing machine, Linton assumed the lead just after half-distance. Towards the finish, however, Walters (on Dunlop tyres), who rode very consistently throughout, gradually worked his way to the front and ultimately secured a very popular victory.

A Parisian automobilist, Count Chas-seloup-Loubat, recently broke both the standing and flying start kilometre motor vehicle records. The trial was on a road near the out&kirts of Paris, and was witnessed by a large crowd of automobile enthfisiasts and cyclists. Three official timekeepers timed the trial, whioh comprised a ride of two kilometres, the first being taken as the record for a standing start kilometre, the- second for a flying start record for the same distance, and the whole as a standing start trial for two kilometres. The time madejwas'as follows: First kilometre. 48 3-ssec ; second kilometre, 38 4-5 sec ; total for two kilometres, lmin 27 2-5 see. This is much faster than the previous existing record held by Jenatzy, whose time for a flying start kilometre was 44 4-ssec, and whose total time for two kilometres was lmin 41 3-ssec. Count Chnsseloup-Loubat's speed for the second kilometre is about equal to a lmin 2sec per mile gait. After this trial several other moto-cyqlists made attempts at the same record, but though some very creditable runs were made none of the other performers came near the count's time. After the trials were over Jenatzy stated that he would himself make another trial soon, and he felt confident that he could travel at the rate of 15 miles per hour.

A motor cyclist met with a serioiin accident on the Promenade dcs Anglais at Nice. In endeavouring to pass a carriage his machine was upset, and the petroleum became ignited and set fire to his clothes. To accentuate the accident a tricyclist, who was following the motor, was unable to pull up qu.'.'kly enough and was hurled head-fore-most into tho flames. Ho, fortunately, only sustained a few bruises, but ""the unfortunate motor man was seriously injured. — A somewhat similar accident happened to Walter Searle, a competitor, during the Paris to Roubaix race, but, in his ca?e, he was uninjured, and a few pails of water soon extinguished the fire.

Amongst cycling Queens are the Queen of Italy, the Queen of Wurtemberg, and the Queen of Portugal ; while among the Princesses who are addicted to the sport are the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg, tho Crown Princess of Sweden, the Duchess Dowager of Aosta, the Crown Princess Stephanie of Austria, and her daughter, and the Crown Princess of Greece, who learnt last summer at Cronberg.

— — During February there were 852 applications for membership of the Touring Club of France — a, record figure. The total number of members on March 1 was 69,842.

The^retail dealers in Cleveland are operating some very successful schemes to induce riders to visit their stores. One of the cleverest has been announced by the retail department of a large -firm there. The coming municipal election has been attracting more attention with the general public than any other election in the history of the city, and is one of particular importance to wheelmen, feince they have several privileges at stake. Taking advantage of this interest the firm have announced a voting contest as to what majority will be received by the ouccessful candidate for mayor. Wheelmen aro allowed to vote once each day during the entire month, if they desire to do so, but all \ otes must be in the handwriting of tho voter, and no votes will be recen ed by mail ; hence every contestant must visit the Cleveland store in order to compete. The voting booth i 3 located at the rear of the store ; consequently every visitor must pass a long line of wheels and, accommodating salesmen before he can cast his ballot. An explanation of this scheme has appeared in all the daily papers, and vote 3 are being cast at the rate of 500 per day. Of course there will be hundreds of duplicates, but there are certain to be thousands of voters, and incidentally, the enterprising firm will have the names and addresses of several thouFand riders. The successful voter will receive a bicycle; but considering the amount of publicity the firm have received the machine will be paid for many times over before the end of the month.

Unpaced long-distance racing is a£> tracting the attention of track proprietors in France, and already two events have been arranged to take place this month. The first of the series will be 100 hours' race to be contested at Roubaix. This will be followed up by a 50 hours event at the Pare dea Princes track, Paris. A great number of long-distance cracks have signified their intention of competing, including the redoubtable Millei, of New York and San Francisco fame, Fredericks, Nawn, etc. Numerous money prizes are offered.

From Webster city, in the United States, it is reported that a cyclist who was thrown from his machine became insensible. When he was discovered, it was found that ho had been frozen to death by the intense cold.

The first act of Chicago's new comptroller after being confirmed in his new office in the council was to notify the cyclists of the city and the owners of vehicles who paid licenses to the city two years ago under the bicycle tax ordinance, that the amounts thus paid by them would be refunded upon presentation of their license certificates and tags at the city hall. The tax on bicycles for the first season was 75 cents, and on other vehicles from one dollar upwards. The law was declared unconstitutional.

The company which started running motor vehicles in Edinburgh about 11 months ago have found them very satisfactory, and have arranged to put more of the cars on the road. They have also been letting out their vehicles for private hire, and this has proved highly popular. All their carriages were engaged for the Easter holidays long beforehnnd, and there were applicants- 'for many more. • The cars carry nine persons, including the driver, and the charge is two guineas for a distance of 60 miles, which is reckoned to be the usual distance for a tourist's trip. Those- racing cyclists who have; to resort to all kinds of impromptu devices to prevent their tyres slipping on grass tracks, suoh as wrapping them with coarse string, etc., are apparently not aware that the Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Company manufacture a special " grass racing tyre," the tread of which is smooth in the centre, but has sharp corrugations at its edges designed to prevent the tyre slipping on corners. These corrugations do not in any way retard the speed of the tyre. —^— Absolutely the latest material for paving purposes is devitrified glass, or ceramic stone. This new product is obtained from broken glass heated to a temperature of 1250 degrees and compressed in matrices by hydraulic force. It is laid in the form of blocks, Sin square, each block containing 16 parts in the form of checkers. These blocks are so closely fitted together that water cannot pass between them, and the whole pavement looks like one vast checker board. Mr Garchey, the inventor, claims that his pavement has greater resistance than stone; it is a poor conductor of cold, and ice will not form upon it readily; dirt will not accumulate upon it readily, and it will not retain microbes; it it more durable than stone and just as cheap. In the process of manufacture it can, without extra cost, be made to resemble flagstones, granite, mosaic, or polished marble. The cyclist who is desirous of experimenting with the long crank will be pleased to hear of the probability of a crank with an adjustable throw being placed upon the market. This will enable those cyclists interested to ascertain at a very nominal expense the merits and demerits of the long crank theory and to conduct such a series of tests as will clearly show them which, if any, of the lonjthrows is best suited to their capabilities. The question of long cranks is one into whioh the personal equation enters to a very large oKtent, and the advantage of a slotted crank, as mentioned above, will be most welcome.

A company has been organised in California for the purpose of constructing an elevated roadway from Pasadena to Los Angeles exclusively for the use of cycles and motor carriages. It will extend for a distance of nine miles through a charming country, by oak-dotted hills, through orange and lemon groves, through narrow valleys and broad streets, in the most direct route possible, at an easy grade of one per cent. The way is to be elevated 16ft above the level of tho streets, though it is sometimes 50ft above the valleys. The right of way, with the exception of two miles, has been purchased, and arrangements are being made for a terminal depot at Pasadona. The Los Angeles terminus will be on the plaza. Midway between the two cities, on a hill 200 ft above the river bed, will be erected a casino and oyclitta* club house, where open-air concerts will ho given and a cafe established. In the centra of the cycle path will be a 3in rail to prevent collisions of cyclists going in opposite directions. Entrance and exit will be controlled by toll gates, and the sum of 10 cents will be charged for the use of the path for the round trip. Work is to be begun immediately en the first six miles. The projected cyels-way will be 10ft wide, and allow plenty of floor room for four riders abreast ; the side' rails — of base board and wire netting — will be sft high, affording ample protection against accidents, yet allowing full view of the country; the floor itself will be of Oregon pine l£in thick ; and great care will be taken to place the structure upon strong and well-braced supports. The posts will all be charred at the base, and filled in with cement to protect them from decay, and the entire structure will be painted dark green. When it is brilliantly lighted from end to end by incandescent lamps placed 200 ft apart over the centre of the wheeling f^pace, a trip over it at night will be a treat new to cyclists.

It is said that a pneumatic tyre shows its greatest resiliency when inflated to an air pressure of 27£lb to the square inch. The rebounding qualities aro practically the same at 401b as they are at 201b pressure ; the tests were made by dropping the inflated tyre 6ft and measuring the rebound. Riders who are desirous of getting the full advantage of their tyres will, therefore, keep them inflated as near 27£lb pressure as is consistent with the s-afe carrying of their weight. ■ "- To cyclists who are at times unable to purchase proper 2ycle lamp oil, the following roeipes will be found useful: — (1) Camphoi loz, petroleum 4oz, olive oil 20oz. Dissolve the camphor in the oils. (2) Paraffin oil loz, colza oil 7oz. (3) Camphor loz, petroleum loz. colza oil 20oz.

Iv the border towns of Cape Colony, such as King Williamstown and Grahamstown, the native Africans have for many years taken their share in all branches of athletics, but it is only recently that they have added cycling to their other accomplishments, and the first native who had sufficient nerve to ride through the town on his wheel wealed a big sensation. When, however, tho same fellow, faultlessly attired in regulation knickers, made his m-ond appearance, and this time accompanied by n native lady, tlio excitement became intense, and tlie local paper devoted a column to the incident. This occurred about 18 month" ago, and since then tho number of Kaffirs who cycle has mereaFecl by leap* and bounds. The Kaffirß in King AVilliamstown and Grahamslown now have their own cycling clubs, and on Satur-

*iaya and -Sundayaihey may be seen taking taking jaunts into the neighbouring country. In Natal there are now three native clubs. When these were first established they met with strong opposition from the Europeans, for the Natalian does not believe in allowing the Kaffir much liberty. However, this feeling gradually diminished, and the Natal Kaffir now stands on a, footing with his colonial brother so far as the bicycle is concerned. In Zululand the cycle has also caught on, and many of the missionaries own machines. Several of the native teachers, too, have bicycles, on which they visit the members of their congregations. For this state of affairs, Zululand has to thank a speculative Australian, who travelled into the country on bis bicycle, and took orders at all the trading stores and mission stations he came across. • It was a most successful venture, and after lie returned to his native country the seed he had sown took root, and the bicycle is as much appreciated in Zululand to-day as it is in any more enlightened country. _ The South African native is of a thrifty disposition,* and puts by every penny he earns, and those who turned their attention to cycling were sufficiently well provided with funds to supply themselves with the necessary outfit. The machines used by the natives are, as a frule, the best that can be obtained, as one ' individual of a speculative turn of mind, who Invested in a stock of broken-down machines, which he tried to unload on the unsophisticated natives, found to his cost. The Kaffirs would not even look at his goods, and at length, in despair, he deposited them in an Empty shed for "safe keeping," and shook the dust of the too-enlightened town from his Xeet. An attempt was made about 11 months ago by two Kaffirs of unusually adventurous disposition to introduce the bicycle among their brethren in Johannesburg. The result was not all that could have been desired, from the natives' point of view at any rate, as the first policeman they encountered promptly put a stop to the proceedings by knocking the "darkies" off, and then taking the machines into the charge office. The Bicycles were eventually returned to their owners, but they were given to understand . that cycling was not for such as they were, out for their betters, and were ordered not to transgress in this way again.

During the Boston cycle show an exhibitor offered a lamp eacb evening for the prettiest girl to be found at the show. Judges were appointed, and, with the aid of a megaphone, all were summoned to draw near and witness the selection. After much elaboration of detail in picking the girl, the award ■was made. This performance bo riled the soul of a rival exhibitor that he decided to give a lamp to the homeliest girl. His scheme gave him all the notoriety he coveted, but did not add much to his popularity. The .Visitors to the show were given plenty of opportunities to draw a prize or an award of gome kind through the many schemes which jthe exhibitors_ worked for the purpose of gaining publicity. Tyres, saddles, cyclometers, Jind, in short, almost every species of cycle Sundry, were distributed, in addition to pound packages of coffee, travelling bags, pairs of shoes, cameras, etc. Each person upon entering the exhibition building was given a blank card upon which to write his or her name. The cards were dropped into S. box at a certain booth, and later in the evening they were drawn out and the people claiming the lucky numbers were awarded prizes.

An invention has just been patented "which seeks to provide a simple attachment by which an ordinary bicycle can be used upon v railroad track, the bicycle running tipon one rail, means being provided whereby it is held in position. Below the front wheel pi the bicycle a frame is suspended from a forked brace fastened to the bicycle frame and from a bar running from- the axis of the front wheel. On the lower portion of this B'JSpended frame rollers are journalled to engage the track and the adjacent portion of the tyre. At the rear of the wheel, about midway of its height, two additional rollfers are journalled in the forked brace already mentioned, and engage the bicycle tyre for the purpose of relieving the lower rollers of undue strains. The axles of these latter rollers are perpendicular to the periphery of the bicycle wheel. Beneath, the rear .wheel of the bicycle a somewhat similar arrangement is employed. In this case the frame carries but a, single roller, and is suspended in position by a supporting brace attached to the bicycle frame and by a bar Tunning from the bearing of the front wheel. lA.B in the device used on the front wheel, so here, the roller engages the inner side of the rail and the adjacent portion of the wheel. In order to keep the bicycle in position on the track, a lateral frame is fastened *d the lower brace, and is provided at its outer end with a flanged wheel running upon the rail opposite that upon which the bicycle is mounted. The flange of this wheel is opposed to the flange devices on the bicycle, bo as to keep the latter in position on the track. The attachment in itself is lightly constructed. It can be removed from a, picycle and easily applied, and, moreover, ban be packed in a case carried on the bicycle. 'A rider is thus enabled to use his wheel not only on ordinary roads, but also on railway tracks.

A great deal has been said and written in defence of high-priced tyres, owing to the great value of Para rubber. Those who Bre acquainted with this article (says the Financial News) will follow the assertion that 17s is an exceedingly liberal estimate for a toair of the very best brands or outer covers and a pair of equally superior inner tubes. Other requisites absorb 5s 6d per pair, including labour and overhead charges. Here we Jind ourselves face to face with the undeniable fact that a pair of the best tyres in the world can be, and are, made at a maximum cost of 22s 6d. Perhaps it would be wiser to add another 2s 6d to this estimate for the purpose of advertising, which is the very soul of business success. That there is an enormous market for the disposal of -tyres at the price given, plus 40 per cent, goes? without the baying. To the uninitiated there prevails a vague belief that what is known as an assembled machine, the like of which is -Upw being produced by thousands of small makers in all parta of the world, is not to D 9 relied upon. To be sure, the large and over-capitalised manufacturing concerns have done their best to establish this idea ; indeed, the law of self-preservation warrants jueh an attitude ; but common sense and personal experience go far to show that the local maker is as capable of assembling a bicycle as is the great manufacturer. Both use narts made almost entirely by the aid of American machinery, and all that either party can do is to fit them as accurately and securely as possible. Many manufacturers are handicapped with excessive capitalisation, and hurry through their output at lightning speed, in the vain hope of being able to pay a dividend in acordance with the ill-fated statements contained in their prospectuses. Then, again, this self-same order of makers h tied Uf fcfc* ur6 of one particular make of

tyre, and thai at a price- which is certainly great as compared with the cost of production. So soon as such concerns reconstruct with considerably reduced capitals, and wrest themselves free from tyre monopoly, just so soon will they be able to cope with the damaging influence of local makers, who are perfectly free to study the wishes of their customers in almost every particular. The want of a good cheap tyre has been the stumbling block, and as soon as this holds sway, the pastime of cycling will increase still further by leaps and bounds, bring grist to the mill of both manufacturer and assemblers, prove profitable to shareholders and investors in the wheel of enterprise, and, above all, gratify those who have had faith in cheap cycle tyres.

The monthly meeting of the Otago C.C. was held in the club room, Octagon, on Monday, when the following were present : — Mr M'Donald (president, in the chair), and Messrs Courtis, Begg, Moller, Jago, Alloo, Cowie, Townsend, and Stokes. Mr S. Stokes was elected to the vacancy on the House Committee. A large amount of other routine business was transacted, and several new members elected.