Cycling Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 10, Issue 17, 26 July 1902, Page 3

Cycling Notes.

Road-racing cyclists are reminded that entries for the Dunlop Timaru to Christchurch Test Race close on 26th inst; also entries for the Warrnambool to-Melbourne event. Included in the entries already received by the Dunlop Company for the "New Zealand Test Race are Ralston, Connell and Calder, and the great pity is that three such men could not be sent to Australia as a team for the great road race. * * * Sir Thomas Lipton, who has just participated in Coronation honours, is one of the latest celebrities to succumb to the fascination of motoring. The owner of the Shamrock has purchased a twenty-two horse power English-made Diamler. ° Ohe would think that ‘ Newhaven ’ Jackson would fight shy of football after his experience of two years back, when he badly injured his kneecap whilst playing for Essendon (Melbourne) and in consequence bad tos give up cycle racing until this winter, We note that Jackson has now applied for a permit to play with his old club, so it is evident that £ Newhaven ’ intends to follow up the game which has proved so disastrous to him. =* * * Lesna’s description of the Mar-seilles-Paris road race (582 miias) which he he won in thirty-eight hours fifty-three minutes, is graphic, and is culled from London Sporting Life ‘ Having by sheer bad luck lost the Paris-Brest-Paris race ('this to the Auto-Velo), I was determined to win Marseilles-Paris. I have won it but I shall never forget the terrible training and exertion I experienced therein. From February until May I have covered over six thousand kilometres (3723 miles odd) in Tunis, Algiers, and France. I left Paris (by road) for Marseilles eight days prior lo the event and took a good rest, doing, meanwhile, fifty miles daily as an exercise. Saturday duly came round, and the following morning at 3 a.m. the start was to take place. I slept nearly all day and at 9 p.m. got up, dressed, went to the Lafe Riche, where I signed the Controle sheet. Returned to the hotel and went to bed. Was awakened at 12 p m., ate six eggs, drank two cups of chocolate, and went to the mark. We were lined up, ‘ get ready,’ and away we went, my pacemakers sprinting so as to clear me of hangers-on. It was dark, but still Fischer would not be ‘ shook,’ and all at once up in the air I went —bad run into a heap of sand and stones. Felt myself all over and picked up my machine almost in pieces. Looked around and heard my pacemakers shouting —‘ Lesna, Lesna, where are you ?’ ‘ Quick,’ said I, £ give me a machine,’ and Bracj gave me his. It was too high for me, yet off I dashed in quest of Fischer, who had passed me whilst I was palling myself together. Two miles further and Leynaud, one of my speedy trailers, whispered, ‘ quiet, keep close to the side of the road, do not speak, and you will see something. I did, for we reeled past Fischer, who apparently did not hear or see us. Thank heaven, now I am safe. Right to Salon, no wind, a few drops of rain. After passing there, a storm came on, and alas for good times. Each three-quarter mile a fresh man made pace, steering being difficult owing to the heavy head wind. Lyons hove in sight, and the sun pierced the heavy clouds. Crowds lined the roads to the Controle, and their enthusiasm warmed me. I signed, drank a bowl of soup mixed with meat extract, and away we sailed, thankful that the wind had abated. Macon, Chagny, Beaune, Dijon, and the routes became muddy, slippery and wet. What was going to happen ? It was night, and down came the rain in torrents. Soon 1 was drenched to the skin, and so cold. At Avallon I changed my clothes, and at every controle I

bought socks, jerseys, and shoes, even going so far as to cut a pair of ordinary trousers at the knees to make knickers. On and on I went, and Paris appeared to my mind. Courage, At last I am there, and have won, and all is over, thank heaven.’