SYDNEY RIDER ON THE CONTINENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 59

SYDNEY RIDER ON THE CONTINENT.

O. H. Brook, the New South Watat, champion cyclist, who left Sydney a couple of months back to represent New South Wales in the world's championships, reached Genoa on May 27, his journey through Italy, Switzerland, and Germanj up to Denmark taking four days. Italy, in Brook's opinion, is a very poor country. He reports that his trip through this country was made miserable owing to tha way. in which he was pestered by guides and mendicants. The New South Wales ohampion considers that Germany is a; splendid country. He says every inch ofi ground appeared to be cultivated, and that the people were most hospitable and eagee to please. He arrived at Copenhagen on. May 30. He says that living is exception* shy ".heap in the Danish capital. The streets are narrow, and the buildings are nearly vll six or seven storeys-high. The> people are very nice in Denmark. Theie manners and ways df living, However, are very different from those seen in Australia.. " When you get an introduction to a mala person or pass one whom you know in the cttreet, it is the custom to raise youc v hat. That seemed very strange to me!" In concluding . his interesting letter Brook gives some particulars of Continental tracks and the cycling champions whom he has so far met. He says the Continental 1 tracks are very steep, being about 25yds high in places. In one track at Copenhagen the banking was 6O steep as tof almost resemble the side of a house. la fact, during the first three or four trials,he jlipped- down each time. Brook connidere Major Taylor is riding in very poor, form. Ellegaard, however, is riding brilliantly.