Cycling Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 11, Issue 14, 4 July 1903, Page 2

Cycling Notes.

To facilitate getting a report of the great international motor race in Ireland next month for the “ Gordon-Bennett Cup,” an enterprising English automobile paper has decided to have a large captive balloon suspended over the figure 8 course from a convenient point, so as to command an extensive view of the route. The balloon will be 36 feet in diameter, and will contain 21,000 cubic feet" of gas, and carry three passengers. So that the spectators can follow the progress ot the 12 competing cars, it has been decided by the English Automobile Club that the three English cars will be painted green (out of compliment to Ireland), the American cars will be red, the French blue, and the German white. The race course is splendidly adapted from a sight seeing standpoint, as owing to its peculiar shape the competitors will pass one given point eight times. * * * E. Walne, the well-known racing cyclist, has returned home to Brisbane. When passing through Melbourne he stated that it was yery unlikely that he would be racing next year, as he was afraid that his recently-fractured knee cap, which has left a pronounced limp behind, after a three months” laying up in an Adelaide private hospital, will prevent him from again following the circuit. It looks very much as if the Danish crack, Ellegaard, will again carry off the world’s one mile championship, which will shortly be held in Copenhagen (Denmark). Ellegaard won this classic event in 1901 and 1902, and from the manner in which he is defeating all comers on the Continental tracks, the 1903 blue riband event will be a gift for the Dane. The only man in Europe capable of defeating the world’s champion is Major Taylor, who last year won two out of three races in a match with Ellegard decided in Paris. There is no chance of these two crack sprinters meeting in the world’s championship, as it is decided on a Sunday, upon which day Taylor will not ride. It is very probable that both these champions will pay a racing visit to Australia next season. * * * Occasionally the tyres should be removed (about every 1000 miles) and given a bath of French chalk. It is surprising the wonderful amount

of buoyancy it imparts to a dead running tyre. • The chalk should not be used too lavishly, however, lest it may work into hard lumps, and stick to the fabric of the tyre. Just a thin film of chalk is sufficient, * * * It is reported from England that splendid business is being done in motor bicycles. All the well-known firms have their hands full of orders, and many prospective motorists will have to wait nothing short ot two or three months before delivery of machines. It is evident that during the forthcoming season motor bicycles are destined to become very popular indeed. The manufacturers of forecarriages and trailers are also very busy, which is not altogether surprising, for most people who possess a motor bicycle either have, or intend having, one of those very useful attachments, in order that they may take a companion out with them on Iheir rides ; and it appears as though there will be a very great demand for fore-carriages, this combination at present appearing to be the most in demand. * * * For the information of competitors in the Timaru to Christchurch road race the Dunlop Company advises that the same course will be adopted, namely, the Main South Road, that is, via Temuka, Geraldine, Rangitata Traffic Bridge, Maronan Road, Tinwald, Ashburton (refreshments will be provided here), and Dunsandel. No entries will be accepted after the 11th of July, and intending competi-

tors are requested to send in their entries without delay.