cycling notes.

Otago Witness, Issue 2652, 11 January 1905, Page 55

cycling notes.

BY DEMON.

The wretched weather of the New Year holidays made enjqyable cycling out of the question, and those who managed to ■'make the most of the distinctly favourable weather o£ Christmas time are glad thereat. During the two days' holiday at ' New Year time cycle races were held at Dunedin, Middlemaroh, and Naaeby, and the bitterly cold wind that prevailed on both of these days made racing anything but enjoyable for the contestants, the wind and rain shower's proving an unsuperable bar to fast times and making the prize money gained well earned indeed. Year by year the cycle races at the Otago Caledonian Society's meeting prove to be most attractive items, and the 'races run at the society's annual gathering held on 2nd and 3rd insfc. proved no exception to the rule now firmly established. This year's events lost some of the usual attractiveness by reason of the strong and bitterly cold sou- wester that' prevailed during the meeting, and the frequent rain showers did not add to the comfort of the riders or the spectators. The cyclists had all their work cut out to keep up a moderate rate of speed against the wind. There were competitors from as far north as Christchurch, and Southland sent up its quota of riders, while the Taieri district was worthily represented. There was a dearth of local representatives, and our riders in Dunedin .would do well to wake up from their lethargy and put in some solid work ere the season advances, or the prize money of future meetings here will sureJy go out of the city. Generally speaking the racing was of such a character as to evince enthusiasm among the spectators, and the public, who are keen judges of what is good and what is bad racing, were not slow to express their appreciation when a .contest for place, with its consequent burst of speed, livened things up more than usual. The prize money was evenly distributed, a large number of riders coming in for a modest share of what was about. The Caledonian Society directors have the satisfaction of knowing that while the racing proved satisfactory to them and the spectators, it served the purpose of whetting the appetite of the public for more, and club officials who contemplate future race meetings in Dunedin this season may resfc assured that, given fine weather, the public will do their part and roll up in considerable numbers. On the first day J. Spiljane, of Temuka, managed to win the Three-mile and the Five-mile Handicaps, also securing a third place in the One-mile Handicap. He also accounted for second place in the Two-mile Caledonian Championship, run on the second day. This rider's work was very" favourably commented upon, and his judgment ajid. S£vin,Ul!g jaovters of s\,\ch j

in order as to lead people to anticipate further wins during the present season.

Dxiring the two days 33.. Williams secured three different places, coming in first in the One-mile Handicap," second in the Three-mile Handicap, and third in the Two-mile Caledonian Championship. Owing to a spill in the last lap of the five-mile race Williams lost all chance that he had of winning.

Of the Hoffman brothers, who hail from Gore, T. Hoffman secured third place in the Three-mile Handicap and second place in the Five-mile Handicap. His brother, A. Hoffman, registered - only a third during the meeting,' and the public would have been delighted to have seen better success attend these riders, who by their untiring energies helped materially to make the racing as interesting as it was.

A particularly interesting finish was made of the second heat of the Two-mile Second Class Handicap, run on the second day, Ritchie, Lorimer, and MAuley fighting out a good contest, and finishing with not more than a couple of lengths separating the trio. The final of this event was won by G. Carr, a young rider from Waimate, who accounted for ' first place in the One-mile and the Two-mjle, run on the second day. This rider, who fell in the Five-mile Open event on the first day, when half the distance had been v covered, won the warm approval of the public by remounting and catching the leaders again. His effort was, however, hopeless, and he did not secure a place. His finishing sprint in the One-mile Open was an interesting piece of work, and his win was well deserved.

The Caledonian Championship, of two miles, fell to A. Fleming, the Otokia rider, whose wins are always well received. He made a well-judged race, and his final sprint just placed him as winner of the event, J. Spillafie coming up very strongly behind. The other successful contestants of the meeting were:— J. Baldwin (Gore), second in the One-mile Handicap; and T A. Irving (Allan ton), second in the Two-mil© Second Class Handicap, third in the Onemile Open Handicap, and a well-deserved first in the Consolation event.

- — A Youths' Bicycle Handioap, one mile, was run during the first day, and resulted in G. Edwards winning, with C Mercer second.

— ~ Tl if ee bicycle races ware run at the Naaeby Caledonian Society's meeting, held at Naseby on Monday, 2nd hist. The ■ weather was cold and squally, and good times could not be made. The results are as follows: — One-mile— W. Hore 1 H Turw"i* '-i H - Mathias 3; time, 2min 44sec. ; Half-mile-W. Horn 1, W. Monk 2, J l Law 3; time, lmin 24 4-ssec. Final Race (one mile)— H. Turner 1, W. Hore 2 F Uavis 3; time, 2min 42sec. ci~m ™ h ? J™2? bicycles races run at the , •Mratn-iaieri Caledonian Society's gathering < held at Middlemarch on 2nd inst. re?ult<>d j as follows : —Two-mile Handicap, W. Dowie ! 1, J. Cameron 2, H. Jenkins 3; Three- ' mile Handicap, J. Cameron 1, W. Dowie 2, W. Goodall 3. The weather, as in ' other places, was windy and cold. \ A motor oar service between Rotorua ' and Napier has been established by an ' Axiokland syndicate. The trip occupies ' between, nine and ten hours. The following note by "Fortis," in the Australasian, is interesting, and its lesson might well apply to many cyclists who daily use the Dunedin-Anderson's Bay cyoling track. Though there is no live

body just now who have the track improvement at heart, the advent of a few subscriptions would soon start to life a track committee, and while this committee would see that subscriptions were properly spent, they would also ccc that whatever ! damage done is placed at the door of the responsible parties and made good by them: — "In the cycle ride down to the seaside resort a most enjoyable trip was experienced. It was noticed that the touring association had erected little placards hera and there along the various stretches or track, but those on the last section, from. Carrum to Frankston, attracted most attention. One would be skimming along over a perfe'et surface when, after rounding a bend, he would be confronted with a legend, nailed to a tree, asking, 'Are you satisfied?' This, painted in black on a white ground, stood out in bold relief against the bro^xn trunk, and set one thinking. He was quit satisfied. A little further along you are notified that this splendid pathway 'costs £30 a mile. This figure does not seem, dear when the clearing, and forming, and carting of materials are taken into consideration, and you are further satisfied. But the next notice awakens one to a sense of duty, for it bluntly asks, 'Have you subscribed yet?' Having paid my quota, I had no compunction in further using the path, noi* did the next placard unnerve me by asking, 'Are you on ths free list?' The series of notices wound up just as one was about to leave the track, with an invitation to 'join the National Touritit, Association and get more of it.' The holidays ii Victoria were, unhappily, marked by a tragedy which cast a gloom over the whole of the cycling community. Charles Mayman, a clever and genial motorist, who knew ''the intricacies of the motor well, fell a victim to a motor .aocidenit, and died from the effects of the injuries sustained. The tragedy occurred at Eaglehawk, where Mayman was training in the morning for the motor race to ,be run that -ame afternoon. was testing the track on a 1% horse-power motor cycle, in -ompany with Mr A. E. Sutton. , He found the tra,ck to his liking in a three mile opin, and after a spell started off again to try the track at its limit of speed. Soon he had \he motor" going at its top, and suddenly something went wrong with the works. "What it was may probably never be known, iust as a somewhat, similar fatality on the St. Kilda Cricket Ground, many months ago, is still enAvrapped in mystery. The machine turned tip the banked track and smashed into the. "picket fence. Mayman was hurled through the air for a distance of 12 or 15 yards, and pitching with his head into tho • fence, was shot thence on to the asphalt, track. He was insensible when the horrified spectators picked him up. Dr Wells was summoned, and his examination, showed the ' case to be utterly hopeless. The skull had i been fractured, and the brain was exposed. 1 In addition, the body was battered and"; . bruised. The poor fellow lived long, enough Ito allow of Jiis admission to a private hospital, but no longer. Deceased was 23 years of age, and' -one of the cleverest of motor mechanics in the States, and ' one o£ " the most fearless* of drivers. With Mr H. B. James he usually figured on scratch in the motor races held in Melbourne. j A. J. Clarke, the winner of the Austral Wheel Race and £400," was practically an unknown rider prior to this victory. After winning his heat, Clarke was regarded as the eventual winner, and he w as one of the- hottest favourites known in connection with the race. Clarke is only 19 years of age, anc* is the son of a farmer at Shepparton (Victoria). He is , one -'of the most promising riders seen out for mpny seasons, and is expected to develop into one of the best sprinters in Australia. By his Austral win, he has jumped to first place* in the prize-list for the season. With cix wins and one second his prize money amounts to £411 7s 6d. -Pye is second, with 10 wins, three seconds, and five thirds, and £142; J. M'Mahon is third, with four wins, totalling £128. Farley £90; Ivor Lawson, £85. H. Thomas £77, G. Byefield £56, S. E. Gordon £48 10s, and G. R. Morgan £48 are next in order. ' The news of the death of Michael, the great pace follower, will come as a,shock to the work?. He was never out in the colonies; nevertheless, everyone who follows cycling seems to have known him, so frequently was his name mentioned in the press. It is thought that he was probably seized with hemorrhage of the brain, an old complaint as the result of a bad fall received some time ago. Michael in his day was the most celebrated pace follower England ever produced, and during hie first and second season's racing he defeated at one time or another all the best European and American riders, including Walthour, Idntbn, Floyd MaoFarland, Chase, .Elkee, Leander, etc. When in racing trim the liltie wonder, as be was called, scaled .only eight stone, and in height he was barely sft 2in. At the time cf his death Michael was on his way to the United States to' ride a series of races against the invincible Walthour. He was only 28 years of age, and had been racing for over 14 years. Miss M. Beyard, a female cyclist, competed in an event in America. She entered simply as M. Beyard, anc? was placed in the 25m division. Her sex was discovered shortly- before the event started, and she was told that she would be disqualified if s-he secured a place. She started, but raced unplaced. The Car, England, relates that an Indian i-ajah contemplated organising a race li'om Bombay to Poonah and! back, and with this view he proposed to buy the old Mors rac&r driven by Henri Fournier in the Paris-Bordeaux contest. Mr GrahameWhite. to whom the car belongs, took the rajah for a trial trip in France. a>nd was gratified to find that the Mars was up to the top of its form. But the rajah's liair stood on end, and he abandoned racing on the spot. The world-renowned French motor manufacturing firm, Panhard and Levassov, liold an unique financial position. The whole of the firm's vast workshops, plant, land, and aood-will. stand in the company's books at the value of one franc (less, than tenpence). The question of limiting the size of engines on machines for racing purposes during- the English racing; season, 1905, has been much discussed in English motor cycleracing circles. The limit imposed during this year was 76 mm. x 76 mm. (approximately 3in by 3in), but as the majority • of -machines iv use exceed that: cylinder capacity, this limit practically barred the average private rider from taking part in any open raoe, with a consequence that in the majority of <«ases such events were won by re. preservatives of the. trade, who kept such.' machines almost solely for racing purposes^

This, "■ however, "is not altogether desirable, and what is wanted is a- limit that will enable private riders who only possess one machine to take part in events on the track. There is, of course, the question of skill in drivings also to be taken into consideration, for where a machine' with an engine of 85 mm. x 85 mm. will be perfectly safe in the hands of a skilled rider on' existing tracks, an unskilful rider will be likely to cause trouble with an engine • of the smaller size. — — The recently-established hour world|>aeed record of 54 miles 722 yds by E. Bruni -~ has not beer^ allowed to stand long. First t>f all the French pace follower,- Brecy, ~£nade an attempt Behind a 24 horse-power bacing machine, which will probably cost Jim his life. Brecy put up a marvellous berformanoe by riding 37 miles in 39min %Z 2-ssec, nearly a mile a. minute, and then "" -- came a terrific smash through the front lorks of, his pacing machine breaking. JBrecy ,was picked up in a pitiful condition, and the ..surgeons report that his case- is bopeless. The pacemaker was m>t seriouslyinjured.- Another French rider'Tiamed Dariragon, undeterred by Brecy's accident, made a. successful effort to increase Bruni's figures, iStnd' suoceedied in adding another 130 yds, 'jfche record now standing at 54 miles 852 yds. !sßut for "Brecy's accident he- would probably jihave, accomplished over 58 miles in an Jtiour. -,4, 4 — " Italy, is going in extensively for trans;"(port by-motor, the Government haying fe'cently ordered 600 ofythese vehicles,- 300 to ■fcave omnflras bodies and 300 waggon bodies, -'Which are to- be interchangeable, so -tihat, f&£ occasion should in. half an hour hone type of vehicle can be converted into Ahe other. Awkward corners on the .roads |*re to be altered, bridges" built across" retjvines to shorten existing routes, and at fixed .^stopping-places the municipal authorities IjwilhiJbuild waiting rooms. Th internal (■"diligence" transport of Italy at present i 6 - said to be_,very poof, and the introduction "of the motor will be particularly pleasing' ito the visiting tourists. v- (■( ■ The horse-power of the pacing motors Ansed upon the Continental racing tracks for record racing purposes have this year _ iibecome exceedingly high, and steps are Tbeing taken to keep them within a certain * limit. Motors of 18 "to 24 horse-power - "tare not at all uncommon, and are used by several French pace-followers, but Robl, the - teerrrian, tops the tree with, a tandem which (has a- two^cylinder motor of 32 horse-power. /This machine, it is- reported on good autho- . Tity, has attained' a speed of 85 miles an Jiour. . j I An automobile train,- with four cars," j. >*as tested at Berlin on November 17, with {Field-marshal Count yon Sohlieffen, chief ' ;pf the general- staff, and several Cabinet .{Ministers and generals as passengers. By [means of special couplings the cars were Hrawn after the automobile round the sharp keeping the same track. The velocity was 15 miles an hour. The train went < Wer meadows at the -rate of- eight miles ; ~in hour. The object of such trains is trans- i "portalion for war- or industrial purposes. ' j L The board of. directors of the, .New KTork .State Association of Automobile Clubs <* believe that automobile casualties can be avoided by making jt a misdemeanour for W inotorman to drive a . machine- without > jfche presence or . permission of the owner ( p{ the.' machine.- The. legislative, committee j jwas instructed to prepare a bill to that ' "teffect, to be presented at the coming session. .It was said that the greater share - ,i>f accidents occurred-, when motormen were .not under direction. The discharge or - black-listing of tifoe mechanics had • little effect on their personal use .of the machines.- - •'By maiking it. an offence for them to operate [the "machines -without the owner's" permis- , sion the association iopes for some reform. -p An English mechanic, dissatisfied the. existing forms of motor tyres, has •introduced one which is somewhat "wider . __ Allan usual, in order to accommodate .two j "~ ?nner tubes, arranged side by side. A freeriles of segmemte comprise the tread, [there being no rubber outer, cover or rubbe* jtread to protect the inner tubes. On the ' Snner face of tht segments are two semicircular grooves, separated by a ridge, the Jtubes lying snugly in these grooves. The are of thin steel, or of wood, wiih ' a steel thread, and they are held in posi- , Jfcion by means of a long central bolt pass- ' jmg between -the tvo air tubes, and through , the wooden felloe of lihe wheel. ' 1 The Auto Club- of Great Britain and . Ireland, which hitherto has given its best ! attention to test and speed trials, has now Hecided to look after .the interests of the -'steady-going members, and to that end has added a touring committee to "its list of* standing committees. , It will deal with all jroad r matters which in any way affect jnotorists on tour. j=- — — The reports of those bicycle-making .companies -which have appeared indicate Jsays the Field) that - the pinch -of hard ■ Same® lias xeachedi even .the most prosperous - teorioerns, and that," too, in a year which, ! Srom. the meteorological' point o£ view, may j jibe described as annus mirabilis. Here 10 . jper cent, becomes 5 per cent., there a cornjpany which made last year a handsome §>rofit shows a loss. To" attribute this state jpf things simply to "the adoption of the Selassie firms of an eight-guinea bicycle is sfco confuse symptoms with causes. The bicycle was not put on the -market to tap new strata of purchasers; fehe innovation was aimed at a srot" and "clearing off- heavy stocks' even, afc p, loss. The immediatev- question that is Jbeing asked isr"_wbetiher the companies will jpersist in a policy which will certainly not tenable them to pay dividends? on their capiJfcal. They have hardly a choice in the - matter. There are other makers in the field who are turning out machines not so good, but apparently good enough to sell, and at a- price lower than 8g». One fact 's, that the good-will of a great bdcycle^making firm is not .-worth what it was in 1896, and although heavy reconstructions have been made, more will have to follow if dividends are to be paid at -all. But it does not follow that because it is possible for some arms to make a- profit on eight-guinea bicycles, it is possible to turn out at that ~ price a wholly satisfactory machine. The aotual loss (as distinct from a failure to make a. profit on a 'large capital) which has . Lhis year- been' incurred by some of -bhe best firms is due as much as anything else to he fact that too good value has been given. A, large proportion of the eight-guinea machines wete mad© to sell as they stood J %t 10g#, while of the remainder it may in i .jmost oases- -be said that, though economies ' jwete made as compared with the 10-guinea ■machine, in enamel, plating, tyres, and yet the machines were structurally jot the higher quality. It seems douKtful if this can go on, *nd whether the quality for the low-prioed bicycle will not have to itog cv i iP something approaching that

of the obscurer firms to whom this competition is due. As regards machines of the first grade, the bicyclist who is particular as to his mount will do well to be on his guard against further reductions in price. Twelve guineas is_ as low a price as will purchase (except in such circumstances as those of a compulsory' sale) a bicycle with claims to quality. — — A leading trade journal, published in England, announces that a big tyre combine has been formed in Europe, and its operations have so _^_far advanced that it embraces all the large" British concerns with on© exception, and a number of important ones on the Continent. It is expected that this combination will have a considerable effect on the tyre trade, even throughout the world, in the present state of the rubber market, and, therefore, future developments will be looked for with more than ordinary interest. It is not every country that has the same facilities for counting cycles as France has. In Germany the country authorities can insist on cycles being numbered, but all do not. hence there are no general statistics. The Berlin police, in a recent report, give the number of cyclists in 1891 as 845, which in 1896 had increased to 10,129, and in 1900 to 69,863. The number of cyclists' tags issued last year was over 100,000 for Berlin,- while 1904- promises to show a much greater number. The- , world's mile flying start motor--track record has again been reduced, the successful driver being the American champion, Barney Oldfield, on an 80 horse-power oar.' The new time is 52 l-ssec, as against 52 4-sseo by E. Kisor. Oldfield also covered 20 miles in 18min 45 2-sseo. ' It is gathered from the New York Tribune that an ordinance, presented at the last meeting of the Board of Aldermen and referred to the Committee on Highways will, if it becomes law, effectually put a stop-to the six days' bicycle races and all other' sports of endurance. The ordinance was offered by Alderman Ddwling, and in the opinion of experts is susceptible of even 'wider interpretation than its wording would indicate. Some persons see in it a new attack on horse racing and automobile runs. The proposed ordinance says: — "In - any bicycle race or other contest of skill, speed, or endurance held within the limits of the city of New York, wherein one or more persons shall be contestant or contestants, it shall be unlawful for any contestant to continue in any such race or contest for' a longer time than three hours during any -24 hours. Further,,, no such race or other contest shall be held excepting between the hours of 7 o'clock a.m. and 11 o'clock p.m." The Health Commissioner is charged with* seeing the ordinance enforced. Whoever leases a hall for such 3 race "is made liable to a. fine of lOOddl for each offence, and in default of 'payment shaH"* be. sent to the city prison for 30 days. The manager ~or superintendent of the race is made subject to the same penalty. This will bar she-days' races. | The Sultan of Joho're (India) has purchased a 90 horse-gower Mercedes ra^cer of -the latest type, which is expected to prove , very fait. The "mild Hindu on the trunk roads of "India is likely to have some shocks to his nerves, and it is to be 'hoped that the natives will riot "juggernaut themselves before the motor car. The AutoinotxMN Journal states' _that the people surrounded a oar which appeared in the capital of Kolapur and prostrated themselves, declaring' that it was moved by an invisible dfeity. A series of motor trials was fixed to take place .in India at the end of last •month, the most important event being a ' contest for which a native governor is offering a handsome trophy, to be won outright by any owner of a motor oar, driven by an amateur, which shall complete a journey of about 850 miles between Delhi and Bombay, in special stages, during eight days, commencing with Boxing Day, with the least number of involuntary stoppages. i A marvellous performance by a i motor cycle is recorded from France. In ,the recent French hill-climbing contest up the Gaillon Mountain road a two-cylinder Pengeot motor cycle weighing only 1081b covered a flying kilometre (1094 yds) at the , astounding speed of 75£ miles per hour. The fastest speed accomplished by powerful racing cars was at the rate of 77 miles per hour. : An error often made by users of the 1 free-wheel device in hilly country is that ; of coasting to almost a standstill on every occasion, even when there is a corresponding rise beyond. By applying a gentle pressure to the pedals while still going at a fair speed, short, steep hills, which are hard to surmount from practically a landing start at the base, are easily climbed. It is not wise to allow the machine to run of its - own accord until it "moves slower than one's normal speed; it is better to pick up the pedalling just before that point is. reached, when the machine will -retain its "life." I The streets of Port Arthur would ! not at present seem to be a very suitable I place for instruction in the art of bicycle- ! riding, and yet a war correspondent reports that he saw an officer teaching some women to learn to ride, while bombs were bursting overhead. It. is seldom that a man who is placed first in a race is eager to disclaim his right to the honour. An instance of this occurred at Wanganui last week, however. At the conclusion "of the final heat of the Twomile Cycle Race Huston was placed first. He, however, contended that he had not won, but that Stevens, who was not placed, had passed the post first. A portion of the competitors and public backed up this oon--tention 3 but the judges stuck to their decision. Messrs G.~ Sutherland and G. Connell, whose term of disqualification expires in March next, will be competitors at the Temuka Bicycle Club's Easter meeting. TAIERI CY CLING CLUB. The Taieri Cycling Club intend holding a one-mile open race on the Outram cycle track on Saturday evening, 14th inst., for prizes of 20s and 10s. The winner of most points during the season will get a first-grade National bicycle, valued at £20, presented by Mr A. Findlay, of King street. This prize should induce some good riders to try and pull it off, and as the races continue till March every rider should have an equal show of winning. Competitors riding National bicycles will be entitled to' one point more should they get a i place in any -event. Entries close for the ! mile race on Thursday, 12th inst., witn the 1 secretary (Mr A. P. Fleming) at Allanton, and the handicaps will be declared in Saturday's Times by Mr D. Sinclair. ROXBURGH CYCLING CLUB'S SPORTS. ROXBURGH, January 9. The Roxburgh Cycling Club's annual sports 5V916 held on Saturday afternoon. Though the,

weather vas threatening many persons -were present on the ground. A good programme of 15 events was got off, the principal being the Half-mile Bicycle Race, won by W. Eady ; tlie 120 yds Flat Handicap by S. Crossan; Two-mile Wheel Race by J. O'Brien; Cycling Club Handicap by J. O'Brien; 220 yds Flat by R. M'Pherson ; Spectators' Half-mile Cycle by George Peake ; 440 yds Flat Handicap by J. Paterson; Three-mile Handicap by Nat Campbell.

G. Ausiin .. A. Fisher A. Downes F. Shacklock F. Siedeberg •. Ings. .. 3 .. 6 .. i .. 4 .. 2 Rims. "Wkts. Arge. 71 8 8.8 ISS 20 9.2 186 15 12.6 77 3 25.6 28 1 28

Batting. Ings. Runs. H.S. N.O. Avge. H. Siedeberg ..5 174 88 1 43.5 J. Baker .... 5 123 49 — 24.6 A. Fisher .... 4 66 ' 31* 1 22 G. Austin .... 3 56 28 — 18.6 H. Graham ..3 53 34 — 17.6 P. Shack! ock ..3 40 31 — 13.3 H. Pearless ..4 30 17 1 10 E. Howden ..5 49 27 -^ 9.8 P. Williams ..4 23 15 1 7.6 G. Cummings „5 26 17 1 6.5 A, Downes .... 3 16 13 — 5.3 "Not out.