CYCLING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2604, 10 February 1904, Page 51

CYCLING NOTES.

Inspired by the good scoring of many of our local c-ric&eteis, the. members of th> Dur-edin and Otago Cycling Clubs have decided to try conclusions at a cricket match and eea if their prowess on the cricket field is equal to that shown by them on the road and tne racing path. Cup Day, 23rd February, will see the teams from the respective clubs gathered 1 together in the Cari&brook Grounds to pile up scores for their own advantage, and for tho credit of their clubs. The Dunedin Club's team, which is under the captaincy and rr.anageiship of Mr F J. Peake, k as follows: — F. J. Peake (captain), A. Dey, S. Minn, E. Falck, — Lyttelton, W. Munro, J. Hopcraft, G. Israel, «T. Haraann, Dr Hotop, J. Cooke. I hope to .l>e able to give the names of the Otago Club's team next week, and tiust that the game will prove lo be an enjoyable one both to the players and the interested spectatois.

The arrangements for the teams race between town and country riderg, fixed for 17th February, are bein^ pushed forward 1 . One delegate from each of the Dunedin clubs will pick the town team, and arrange ail necessary details, as far as Dunedin is concerned. The Taien. team is expected to be a very fast and strong one, and every effort will be put forward by the town riders to -\ anguish their sturdy opponents.

Mr J. E. Hood, honorary secretary to the North Otago Cycling and Amateur Athlotie Club, sends me a copy of the club's programme for their annual sports meeting, fixed for Tlmrcday, 10th March. The cycling events ace as follows: — One Mile Maid-en Handicap, One AJilo Open Handicap, Two Mile Olub Handicap, Two Mil© Open Handicap, Five Mile Open Handicap, Half-mile Dash Handicap. There are also 12 foot races to be run during the clay. Entiies for all events close on Friday, 4th March.

Tho progiamine for the Temuka Bicycle. Club's Easter Monday meeting includes the following open events: — Two Milo Wheel Race (£SO), Two Mile Scratch Race (£7), One Mile Open Handicap (£7), Half-mile Dash (£7), One Mile Maiden (£3), Fi\e Mile Motor Handicap (£10).

It would seem as if the Sydney Thousand meeting was to be without the attraction of two of the American cracks at present racing in Australia, for Mr F. E. Asquith, the secretary to the Christchurch Cycling and Motor Club, has received a communication from Iver Latveon. Major Taylor's great rival, and Floyd MacFarland, the king of handicap riders, inquiring uponi what terms the club would engage them for a New Zealand tour. They purpose riding at the Chrktehurch Club's meeting on Gooel Friday if suitable terms are arranged. If anything definite does eventuate, no doubt the committee of the Otago Cycling Club will see if th© presence of these twt> lid era can be secured for their meeting on sth March. Their appearance on the Caledonian Grounds would be a source of profit to the olub and intense satisfaction to the public.

The Sports Committee of the Otago Cycling Olub met on Wednesday evening last, and transacted a laige amount of routine business in connection with tho sports meeting on sth March. The reports submitted by tho various cub-committees show eel that everything was going smoothly and favourable indications were given as to 1113 outcome of the meeting It was decided to fix the charge for admission of laches at sixpence instead of one shilling, and tickets for the meeting are about to be put into immediate circulation. -"•-• Cycling is bopming in tho Taieri dis-

trict, and a move is being made to form a cycling club in the Soutn Taieri district. A meeting to make airangcments in connection with the formation of the club was fixed for Saturday evening.

A cyclist riding down York place hael a narrow esc-ipe from a serious accident last week. The brake failed to act. and the cyclist, judging it best to turn up Smith 'treet, came into -nob-nt contact with the karbing, with the rcsnlt that lip> *vas N thiown against a picket fence. Foitunately the incident resulted only m minor bruites to the cyclist, and he will fo'ui be little tho worse for tho lunaway and its coii'-e-quencci.

The League of Victorian Wheelmen have taken official cognisance of the fact that Law-son, Downing, and Morgan wcie recently fined £10 c-ach by the Western Atistrahan League for refusing' to carry out an agreement entered into by thorn to ride at a meeting promoted by tho North Suburban Club, Perth, and ha\e suspended the trio until the fines are paid.

It is understood that the League of New South Wales Wheelmen have, on appeal, given MacFarland, whom they recently elisquahficd, the option of getting off on payment of a fine of £25. This was to give the American an opportunity of competing at tho Australian Xatives' Association big meeting. Whether he conipeteel or not is not yet known here.

A series of cycle matches, with a prize of £75 each, have been made between Major Taylor and Lawson, as a test as to whm is the better man. A full meeting of (he Otago C.C. (Mr Cct.rtis in the chair) was held on Monday. It was unanimous y resolved, owing to the heavy outlay which had been incurred for their advertised sports, to be held on March 5, and to the fact that the time was fixed before the floral fete was known, to adhere to the original date. Several special ruders had communicated with the club, and some oif our bestknown motor-cyclists had intimated that they would compete. At a meeting of ryeluts held at Henley on the Cth inst. it was decided to form a cycling club, to be known as the Taien Cycling Club. An Organ sing Committee was formed, consisting of Mr A. P. Fleming (chairman), G. Shard (secietaiy), It. M. Fiaser (treasurer); committee— Messrs Don Giey, J. Canieion, V. Christie, and C. Holland. The date of the next meeting is fixed for the 13th. and wi'.l be held after the Four-mile Eoad Race, which takes place that evening. As the above club will supply a long-felt want, the promoters look forward to obtaining a liberal support from tho numerous wheelmen in the district. A meeting of the Spoits Committee of the Ota^o Cycling Club was held m the club looms, Octagon, on Wednesday 3id in«t. Mr H B. Courtis (president) occupied the chair. A large amount of correspondence was received and dealt with. The sub-committee^' reports on them- various chitips showed that everything was progressing favourably for the forthcoming annual sports. It was decided to fix the charge for admission of ladies to the sports at 611 instead of Is, pnd it has a 1 so lesolved that tickets bp punted and circulated for sale, so as to avoid any delay at the gate on the day of the sports. — — The Dunedin C.C. held a Two-mile Open Handicap at the Caledonian Giound last night before a goo dnumbev of spectators. The race provided a fine contest, being run m the good time of 4mm 43 2-ssec. The field quickly bioke up into two bunches, Idour pacing the fiist and Irving, M'Carthy, and Fleming the second. "With four laps to go, Cameron (Taieri) broke away fiom the field, and shortly after Fleming, who was a quarter of a lap behind, went out m pursuit. C?meion, however, managed to keep his advantage to the end, and won easily, with Fleming second and Idour third. Results — Cameron (110 yds) .. .1 A. P. Fleming (scratch) ... 2 M. Idour (200 yds) . . S Also started • Irving 30yds, M'Carthy 30yds, Michelli 140 yds, Baker 160y£s. These evening races, which are being run with the intention of keeping local niders in form for coming meetings, aie increasing in interest, and before the season is out Dunedin may be able to provide one or two ricleis capable of ho'ding their own with riders from, the north. r xho iic<t l.i^e spoken of is a road lace between six picked lielc-s f oni the two Dunedin. clubs and, sis fiom the Taieri, aoid

this =TiotikT prove irs'rum^ntpl ii. prov.d'^g fuither ]iitercs f in local cycle laci 1 "!^ ciiclc=. Mpai a v.a- devoted la~t week, in tho Tinp=, to the mention of vanou- suni> lj"ing' unchumed in ta<? banknicr lnstitutioins o£ Nc\'- Zealand There dco= not rpem an apparent co'incrtion bptwtcii this matter and cycl'ng, but its mention sciieo as an introduction to the fact that the English Dun: lop Tyre Co. have the .sum of^ £6790 >>* accumulated tii'claimcel dnidonds lying on their hands. Lucky "-hai-i-hoiders,!

Tho following incident will give an. idea of the feeling which is being eiineedi o\er the engagements b>.Uvocn Taylor and Lawson. At the leading betting club in Sydney a ivimoer of spon«men took sides on the question of the relative merits of the champions, and talk lan in the diiection of a sencs of marches o\ei- ono, three, and five miles, anel this even without consultation. with the riders themselves Money was sraked, but was aftoruar:b withdiann. On the following day, however, the subject cropped up again, and one enthusiast announced that he was prepared tc back Taylor for £500 against Lhw-ou for a contest o\ er one or three miles. No a© of the Salt Lake City rider's supporters were present; but it was expected that so soon as th& challenge became public property it would oe accepted A cable on Thur-day tells us that a series of matches, with a pnze of £75 has been arranged between these famous mals, and there will, it is hoped. =oon be a deci.;n& test as to who is the better man.

action of the Sydney officials in disqualifying MacFarland has broken up ihe irresistible combine of Lauren and MacFarland, who had previously defeated Major Taylor on e\eiy occasion in Australia. The rc-uH of the compulsory snlit-up was apparent at the night meeting in Sydney on 20th ult., when Taylor and L.uvson met in the nml of Hip International Test Race, one mil-3, victory resting with the black champion. An ej-e-nitne=s describes the race as follows:— Tho final saw Taylor. Lawson, Downing and M'Donald p.tk'd against ca.h other. The race was wirhout special interest until three-quarters of a lap from the line, when M'Donald took out Taylor. Downing simultanoou-Iy made a forward move with Lawson; the excitement grew intense as the riders dashed round passed the members' sand. Her© Taylor led by a wheel from Lawson. with "botti liders straining ©very nerve. After a magnificent struggle, Taylor crossed the finishing line half a length ahead of Lawson M'Donald was five length- eff lhird. Ta}-ior received a great reception no n the crowd, this being his fii'st ■* ictorj- c < r Lawson since rhe pair have been racing m Austrrlia.

— —The Automobile Club of Victoria, recently formed, ha\ c decided not to admit; lady members.

The racing in Sydney on Saturday night, 16th ult., was remarkable for the times established The night was a calm one, and tome of the pertormauces were tho best seen m any part of the world, in the HaJf mile Lawson won his heat in 55sec, the lasted i a i mile tnat lmd up to then been ridden there. G. Al'L-ean (70yds) won. his in 55 l-s^,ee; Oilando bten-iis, (lOyoJs) established the same time; Simon's heat was doiw in 55 3-sse<; ; Eearnark's in 56 l-ssec ; L Corbett's in b6 2-osec : and Goodson'.^ and Gudgeon "t heats in 56 4--S&PC ; while in the final Lawfon's time was 54- 6-ssec. This will give an idea of what the racing was lik-e. It remained lor Major 'laylor, honoM-i 1 , to establish the greatest handicap perfcimanco known in the annals, ot ryclmg history, for in his heat of th& St.mmcT Wheel Race, ol a inle, he rode the distance fioir. sciatch in tho astounding world's record time of lnun 53 3-ssec.

it is significant (says "Jb'rei.v, nocl" in the Adekuda (Jbseiverj that directly Ivor Law son \va= without the. assistance of MacFarldiid, who 15 a magnificent pacemaker, ho was defeated by Major Taylor. There i- r.o doubt th £ .t the rider from tialt Lake City enjoys important ad\antages with MacI'arland aad JJoumng in the arena, and! while his work i s certainly of a brilliant character, this fjet must bo take-n into consideration. Taylor's suceessno lailures in. his engagements with the Americans were not indicative of the sensational speeds he cut out. While enthusiasts w-ore commenting on an apparent lack of form on the part of the champion, he was ltally putting up remarkable performance^, despite the powerful opposition to which he was subjected, lake, for instance, the contest between Taylor and Lawson in the four miles distance of the International Te»t, the final ot «lneh tl<? former won so handsomely. I learn from the reports that the lviee was run at an exceedingly fast pace, each laile being turned off at a fraction o\ er two minute*. At the bell MacI'ailand, with Law=on on his wheel, went ■off like a pistol shot, at tho to'j of nia sprmt. No rider in the worlel cai pace a last lap Lice -Mr.cFarland, and in view of this fact, Lawson on his wheel had the w miiing position, anel an immense advantage o\er Taylor, who had to .scurry for a positio i as MacFarL-nd, Lawson and Downing swept past him like a flash of light. When tho a\alanche of riders got by and left him an opening, Taylor jumped lor Downnig's wheel, an- 1 after a hard short sprmt, got it at tho scoimg boaid. MacFnrlfiivl at this time was ploughing along in front at a pace that had earned tho whole of the remainder of the field off their legs. So they swept round the back stretch, and into the finishing straight. At the membcrj' gate Lawson lit out for the tape, and Taylor, four lengths in the rear, set sail after him There was only lOOycto to go, and the task looked absolutely hopeless, but ;' ckaf<?nin£> roar arose from the thousands of spectators as it wa i seen that tho famous champion \\a- overhauling Ins great rival. Along the front of the ladies' pavilion Taylor simply flew past MacFarland anel Downing, and jfat caught La\»son, who was udL.g with great brilliance, on the tape. Despite the fine run. Taylor was too late, as the Salt Lake City rider's wheel was over the line first.

The new English nictor by-laws arc now in force. Motorists in England may please themselves as to what pace they tra\ el on the road up to 20 miles an hour, proMclmg they are. not e-iidanwcriy>g tho publio safety. Of course this decs not mean that Ih~>v can \ ulo through doweled thoroughfares at this speed. This is tho co-.oinr n-venso no nt of iiew taken by th-3 British Government, v.-lio, after exhaustive inquiries and test 1 , have satisfied themselves that a motor at this pace, when in competent hands, is -easier handled and eater than any horse-drawn -vehicle ai 10 miles, an hour Hor-e-owners raid dm e:\s, when' in trouble with a fraction 3 horse, imme- ; diately put tho Hamo on the suerd of ths car or motor- cj-cle. This is not so ; speed! hag no bearing on the subject at all. It itsf the strajaacoieaa a£ th^ ea* thai causes $&&"<

of tho trouble, and tho elvjht "J.roPing" of Lhe -ciig;i:-> *o a lesser dogice-. That t.us is so, one- oiiiy \vants to st^nd a ar-o:o»- car at the roadside and watch the raoiemcnts of the different horses parsing. Tho-e used to tho sight of car 3 p-a^s without taking any notice, biit the horse uiiuiniibar with the lines of the automobile, m-n-ed-ately upon sighting the car starts to piay up. T his trouble on o^y be overcome- by time, and the more jT>otor vehicle that get about our ro-ids, th" sooner will the difficulty di-ap-pear. MctorisT-s should show t\cry consideration for horse- driver?, and do all in their power towards assisting ar-y driver ■who has trouble, with a fractious hcrso. By taking this course motorists will gradually earn the goodwill of the l-or&c owner*. According to a usually well-irfci-med Englkh tra.de journal, se-vtr?,! Gorman firms intend to imitate the United Blake, bu.-in&S3 men who first etaned opening the wholesale depots in Australia, since which time the sale of Ameiican and Canadian cycles has enormously increased. The Australian retailer can order his machines and spare parts at short notice from thc^e depots, wh&reas otherwise it takes months before an order can b& executed and tho goods delivered to tho purchaser.

At the French exhibition some interest was aroused by a motor birvcle which, ftil on, only weighed 451b It id really an ordinary roaclste-r, with a tiny motor with i Igin cylinder clamped on, the weight of which with ail the requisites, pc-trol and all, W2« said to be but 101b. The little sngine has been added to assist the rider, and not to do- the whole of the work, and is stated to be- quite as reliable a^ any which are fitted to motor cycles generally. If it is irhat is claimed, it will appe-al to many who, though they do not care to give up the "push bike," are not above having a little assistance. T. Ellegaard won £3100 during his »eason's racing on the Continent. A. A. Hansen, a well-known American road and track motor cycle racer, did a remarkable ride in September at Garfield Park, Chicago. One of Hansen's objects is ,to ride a thousand miles in 24 haura, and, although he is nearly 300 miles away from [his goal an yet, he hopes, with lucki, to do it eventually. In the ride under notice he had particularly bad luck~with his tyres and with •the weather, experiencing 11 punctures, and heing seriously hampered by rain on eight 'different occasions ; indeed, so unludky has iho been in this respect throughout hi-3 lacang career that he has earned the nickname of "Rainmaker." The actual distance covered in the 24 hours was 701 miles Fl33oyds, 67 miles better than his previous 'record. The actual riding time was estimated at 20hr 25min 52 2-ssec— about 29-i miles an hour all through. -A companion, .Geer, rode by him at intervale and handed 3rim food and drink — alsof a big cigar, which iho lighted from the glowing stump of Gee-r's emoke and puffed at with gusto till it was finished.

During the last decade the bicycle frame has undeTgone many changes, yet through th&m all the diamond frame has ocoujicd tho first place, and is, seemingly, •unassailable. It contains just the right arumber of tubes — not one too many or too few — embodies the right lines, is braced and supported in exactly the coirect mrnner. Scores of patterns with the aicst minute variations- have appeared, but all have passed into oblivion, while the true diamond lemaina with its hold on the trade and public as strong as ever, and its mechanical superiority and beauty of design as manifest as it was when it routed rival types c,f frames years ago.

Some riders have experienced a good Weal of trouble in attaching the cyclometer to their wheels, owing to the ve-ry little margin allowed by the machine-buildeie between the front fork and the wheel, and although the little trip or striker was easily attached to the spoke, the projection wculd not clear •the fork-blade. A cyclometer of a special design and method of attachment is now ibeing placed on th© maiket, and which may foe -fitted to any cycle with the minimum of trouble.

The municipal authorities of Germany are beginning to replace their old type of fire engines with motor Aehiclee.

One of the novelties at the recent JSnglish cycle shows was the Neofold foldi.ig tricycle, which is of the rear-drivmg type, with two front steering whee-ls, carried in forks and coupled on what is known as the "Ackerman" principle. The cross tube of ihe frame, from which the two front forks depend, ie adapted to twist relatively to the Ihead, the jwo part 3 being fitted with aclja-ee-nt plates, and normally secured in position by a bolt and two locking serewe. When these are released the crossbar is turned nearly parallel to the length of the xnaohine, throwing the left-hand one back toy the side of the front chain wheel. By this arrangement the width ot the machine is reduced to that of the bicycle,' and thus allows of the tricycle passing through die Narrowest of doorw-ays.

A form of the sport which is exceedingly popular amongst the members of th© crack road clubs in England is unpaced xoad riding and record-broa'kmg. The unpaced road ride for club medals or for re«ord<3 is undoubtedly one of the most Ige-nuine forms of the sport. It i<* difficult 4o overestimate the pluck displayed by many of the riders on a gruelling jaunt under try•ing conditions. Those who break or create an unpaced record under the Road Recoids Association rules must ride entirely alone throughout, although they may be followed by witnesaee, who must not, while the competitor is mounted, approach wichin 100 yds.