CYCLING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2539, 12 November 1902, Page 55

CYCLING NOTES.

High w:mds and dry weather still keep the roads in bad order, and country riding is not so pleasant as it might be. There are 177 entries for this year's Austral Wheel Race. A grand total of 740 entries for the Melbourne Bicycle Club s meeting makes an entry list that is extremely gratifying. The appeal board of the League of South Australian Wheelmen net to consider an appeal by A. E. Champness against the sentence of six months' disqualification imposed on him by the referees at the recent race meeting for suspicious riding in the final heat of the Tennyson Handicap and for usimg abusive language towards the officials. The appeal on the charge ot suspicious riding was upheld on. .the ground that the referees did not give Champness an opportunity of calling evidence on his behalf. The charge as to abusive lamguage r was sustained, and on that he was disqualified -for one month from the date of the. offence, that being the highest penalty the referees had the power to inflict without leferenee to the council. It is said that Bill Martin has 'brought out a motor pacing bicycle that will severely tax the speed capabilities of the best Australian racing tracks. Miles in lmin lOsec are ppoken of. which, if not greatly exaggerated, means a big upheaval of all Australasian track records during the present season. J. Megson, the champion of .New Scuth Wales, and one of the most brilliant splinters Australia has produced, who has not followed cycle racing too clo ? ely during recent years, owing to business ties, intends to pay more attention to racimg this season, owing to the* big prizes which are to he offered at the November and subsequent meetings. He is in regular training, and being a i-idei possessing not only both stpmina and ppeed, but a cool head, as well as plemdid judgment, he will trouble all the visiting cracks /on the Sydney Cricket Ground track at the forthcoming meetings. In his first attempt at racing this year, at the Eight Hours sports. Megson ran a good third to Walne and Burton in the Five Miles' Scratch, and these two riders ar» already at the top of their form. The advantages of the motor cycle for economical travelling in the country districts of Australia is already being recognised by the country doctors, who. in these times of drought, 'often have difficulty in getting changes of horses for long-distance professional calls. Mr H. B. James (Dunlop Company) has, during the past few weeks, seen letters from three medical gentlemen from as many' different' States,- asking for particular*) and costs of running a motor cycle. It would, no doubt, prove profitable if some specially-constructed motor cycles were manufactured to suit the requirements of the country medico, who wants, not speed, but a reliable and easily-rum machine, fitted with suitable tyres, to absorb as much of the vibration as possible — an important matter to the doctor who has need of a steady hand and nerve. J. \an Hooydonk accomplished a fine performance at Canning Town track on September 17 on a I^-h.p. motor cycle. He had covered over 25 miles, r/hpn a halt of 70 seconds was rendered necessary to readjust the belt, which had slipped, a similar operation entailing a further loss of lmin 30seo being made necessary in the one hundred and tenth mile. At 201 miles, covered in 6hr 44min 42 2-ssec, Yam Hooydonk voluntarily stopped. Twenty-nine miles. 600 yds were covered in lhr, 87 miles 1000 yds were covered in 3hr, and 177 miles 1550 yds in 6hr, 30 miles 1550yde being ridden in the last hour, whilst the la^ mile occupied lmin 49 4-ssec. King Victor Emmanuel of Italy, who is a most enthusiastic motorist, has been spending considerable time in touring over iiis realm, particularly in Piedmont. On a recent visit to Txirin he paid & visit to a large motor factory established there, and after examining the methods of construction, addressed the workmen on the importance of developing the industry, because auto-mobilism was the mode of transit of the future. From comments on the aboveit is thought that Italy may enact special laws to protect and encourage the indusAn American motorist, A. A. Hansen, recently covered 634$ miles in 24 hours on the Garfield track, Chicago. The intermediate hundreds were reeled off as foliJUms:— On« hundred in 3hr 15min. 200 in

6hr 52min, 300 in llhr 35min, 400 in 16hr, ] 500 in 19hr 35min, and 600 in 22hr 57min. The Micha«l-Bouhours-Conteaiet Hour Race, paced by motor cycles fitted with wind shields, t Paris, on September 14, was a chapter of accidents. Michael looked the picture of health as he sat on his machine ready for the start, as cool as the proverbial cucumber. Bouhours .and Contenet looked a trifle anxious at times, and both were left by Michael at the start. The midget-made the-pace a cracker for the first few laps, and then Bouhoura, who had previously instructed his pacer to get in front at any cost, gradually gained on Michael, and just before the ninth kilometre had been reached got the lead, much to the delight of the crowd. Ten kilometres were covered in - Bmin l6sec, as asrainst the previous best of Bmin 18 2-ssec. Several times Michael tried to pass, but in vain, Contenet being lapped shortly afterwards. Michael was now travelling about 30yds behind Boulioura, when suddenly his pacing machine went wrong, and he was lapped by both Bouhours and Contenet before his spare motor took him on. The interest in the race was thus early reduced, and it seemed only a question of Bouhours .now essaying to 'beat the hour record set up by Michael on the previous Sunday — viz.. 46 miles 1565 yds. Bouhours readied the 30-kilometre mark in 23min 57sec, Michael being some seven or eight kilometres behind. Then came the terrible fall of Bouhours. Contenet had changed pacers somewhat badly, and one of his chaffeurs was making for the centre of the track at a slow pace, when up came Michael and Bouhours at a fast gait. The former's pacer took him past the wandering motor-cycle just in time, when ■ poor Bouhours *»nd his pilot, Devilly, ran into it. Both came down with a terrible thud on the cement, and soon the track was crowded with spectators. Michael and Contenet eased up at once and dismoumted. After a few minutes' interval a message was despatched from the training quarters that rider and pacer were not seriously injured. A fresh start was .hen made, the positions of the riders at the time of the fall, 30min 46 3-ssec, being": Bouhours, 37 kilometres 426 metres ; Contenet, 35 kilometres 333 metres ; Michael, 27 kilometres. 333 metres. It was decided that Michael and Ccmtenet should ride for half an. hour, thus allowing- 46 3-ssec for a restart. Michael won the second half hour Tvith 36, kilometres 363 metres, despite' many pacing - troubles, Contenet covering 35 kilometres 33 , metres. The final classification for the hotir was : Contenet first with 67 kilometres 50 metres (about 41J miles) ; Michael second with 63 kilometres 695 metres; Bouhours fell. Enormous gears are now being used by the crack motor pace followers in Europe. A A. Chase (England), who recently established new figures for the world's mile record (lmin 20 4-ssec), pushed a 137 in gear. "Major Taylor, the great American sprinter, if a great sticker for Sunday observances No infraction of the rules he has laid down for that day will be tolerated by him, no matter how urgent the case-may appear to be. Thi3 feeling was strikingly, ■showii at Manhattan Beach track recently. Taylor had ju«t punctured his third racing tyre, and had scarcely a good one left. He was booked .o ride at Pittsburg on Monday night, and ' iner, who was gathering the damageN*. is together, happened to drop a remark c'l-ut repairing them the next day. "Don't you do anything with them to-morrow," exclaimed Taylor, {urning to him suddenly. "You will wait until Monday or elpe do the.n to-night. I won't have any work done cm Sunday." Andthe trainer, much against his will, was obliged to make other arrangements. Many people wondei why petrol motors are becoming so popular -for road vehicles, and out-distanoing the stream and electric car. The reason is that the petrol or explosion motor weighs only from &j!b to 131b per horse-power. Steam motors range from 151b, ara'd 'electric up to 1121b. j These figures applj to the actual weight of the motor itself as applied. to motor oars. Dr Dupin, of Toulouse, is reported to have had an exciting experience. While cycling late one night he was chased by a mad donkey. The- animal caught him in two miles, then bounded into the aii and leaped cm to the cyclist, bringing him to the ground. After smashing up the machine it turned on to the doctor, and severely kicked him, till at 'ength his cries brought some farm labourer* on the scene, and the infuriated animal was driven off. — — The unpaced Land's End to London record (305 mil^s) has been reduced to 22hr 16min 16sec, a little over three hours faster tliam the previous" best. — — A novel four is being arranged by the touring club of France. Tlni> is a "geographical" oycle tour for children between the ages of 14- and 17, and the route, which covers the most attractive part* of Franc 0 , extends over 280 miles. Lectures on geographical and historical points will be given en route. What is claimed to be a step forward in the 'onstruetion of tho spring frame is said to have been brought about by the I Mansell Jones frame, manufactured by the B.S.A. Company. Harry Green, the English rrack, has established some fine performances on the new frame. It is urged that just as the pneumatic tyre, by absorbing minor vibrations, increases the pace of the cycle, so the spring frame should do the same by taking up the major shocks from inequalities on the road. It is a certainty now that although Hure-t's leg wil bo saved (he was smashed up in a recent race with Linton) this oncefamous ride, will never be able to race again. A? a consequence benpfit race meetings are bping promoted in Paris, and subFcription lists have bepn started in several pa.pers, as Hmot will bo loft r»ntirelv without resource, and furthermore will most likely remain crippled for life.

Arthur Zimmermthj to whose n&nrijf. there- is no equal in the annals bi ~ cycling sport, is back again to "the country wher^ his most glorious performances were made* The ex-champion has arrived in Paris', to-i gether with his wife. Although the famous/ rider has practically retired for six or seyenf years, he lias been engaged to ride two ex* hibitions on Tne Pare de« Princes track*. He does not intend, however, to race again,., and his trip is more a pleasure one than} anything else. On the same boat was alsof Harry Elkes, who is ito be seen in two otf three big paced races this year on the sanlef track. " "' Algien, a city of 100,000 iuhaibifants* situated in North Africa, has no less thaw 900 automobiles and 300 motor cycles, almosti exclusively of Franch manufacture. Thesoi vehicles are distributed among half the popu« .lation, as. those of Arabic descent do notjj as a rule, indulge in these modern luxuries* There is a movement afoot on the* Continent agitating for a law to restrict*, manufacturers from building motor vehicles' capable of going at a higher rate than 2V. to 22 miles per hour, the object of whiohr is the prevention of accidents: Automobilisrr* - has suffered a good deal in popular opinion? from the numerous and serious accidental' that have occurred, 90; per cent, of wliiehi are directly traceable to the great' spe#d) attained. It is also sought to prevent cars from foreign lands entering the- countries interested should they be capable of a higheQ rate of speed. Curiously enough, anyi^ vehicles intended for military purposes ' af«f to be exempted. A law or regulation liktf the abovo could be made very irksome " W manufacturers and 'driver?. ' t " '. ' of the strangest incidents imagin* able occurred at an English race ~ meeting recently. Although presenting a humorous., aspect, it might have proved serious for the officials. It appears that in the second heal of the cycle event a careless rider broughj down the leader in the straight, and in' 'a, moment the first three were in .a heap, with their machines ok top of them. Tba fourth man steered out of the ruck 'and intof the officials, of whom Mr Pragiiell came ofE ■the worst. He was struck .in the head, arm, ; and log, lifted off his feet, and alighted on! $he top of Messrs- Baldry and C. val Hun-c ter. The concussion set a box of , matches! on fire in oue pocket, discharged a pistol in another, and stopped a watch in a| third. The- heat was ruled "no' race,?' ana had to be- re-run. - " - * : There is a tremendous amount o£ money spent annually in the production «n racing motors, and year after year - oriel maker vies with another in the strength' and speed of the cars. "Two or' three year* age automobiles of 20 h.p. were- considered prodigious, but last year '7o h.p. carsweref not uncommon. . For. the next season on thei Continent a French firm contemplates -a motor carrying 100 h.p., which has been re 4 sponded to by a German concern with af promise of a 120-h.p. car. < One may well! . wonder as to where the power of the auto-:' mobile vehicles is going to end. No onf( can forsee finality any more than . he .can) - prove the utility- of these.. monster motors^ The money; perhaps, would -be better spent? in improving and cheapening . really useful "vehicles - - '.' •'" "*.',' — — A sign of the '.times is 'supplied by : «« correspondent to the Daily Telegraph -(Loin don), who thus' describes -his •experienced .after a trip in' an electric car running : frbinJ 'Eew to Chiswick: — '.'At "-'one part of tHe| journey, where a good stretch oProad wasj 'iri view, not a single horse could be seen^ but there were two or three. electrically| propelled tramcars, several motors, , and '?{ number of cyclists. A year or' t\vo agot • horses and horse-drawn carriages were-therei in plenty ; no»r , they are supplanted byl electricity, petroleum, and the pedal— much/ to the convenience, pleasure, and speed of the public." The megaphone is used at practically' every race meeting in England- and America* nowadays. By its use instructions can be conveyed to the riders, and those shirking, the pace have to pay the piper if they ignore the orders from the 'phone.