Cycling Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 13, Issue 20, 12 August 1905, Page 11

Cycling Notes.

By cable we learn that a wonderful speed was recently obtained from a motor cycle on the Brighton Esplanade (England), when a motor cyclist covered a short distance at the rate of 86 miles an hour. This speed is equal to a mile in 41 seconds, which is nine seconds slower than the mile record for motor oars. The short distance world’s motor cycle records are held by a„ Frenchman named Laufranchi, who, in October, 1904, covered a flying kilometre (1093yds) on the road in 29 I-sth secs., equal to miles per hoar, and also drove a mile from a standing start in 57 4-sths sees., equal to 63 miles an hour. The fastest time recorded by a motor ear for the mile is 32 4-srhs secs, (equal to 109 J miles an hour), established by H. L. Bowden on Daytona Beach, Florida (U.S.A.), last January. The standing mile record is 46 secs, (equal to 78 miles an hour), driven by 0. Basle at Providence (U.S. A ) on the 9th September, 1904. The probability is that the speed test just cabled was accomplished on one of the high powered English motor cycles manufactured with a view to competing in the French International Motor Cycle Hoad Race, The conditions of the forthcoming big motor reliability contest, to be held from Melbourne to Sydney on the 14th to 18th November, 1905, have bean issued by the Dunlop Tyre Co. It will be remembered that the Dunlop Tyre Co. inaugurated the contest last February, with a view of conducting a big annual inter-State motor contest that would be interesting and enjoyable to the eontestantg and instinctive to the general public, as demonstrating that the automobile was suitable and reliable |for travelling over rough colonial roads. The aim of the promoters was achieved in both directions, and the event proved an unqualified success. It was originally intended to hold a contest in February every year, but after consideration the Dunlop Co. has decided to alter the date ot test to November, about which time it will be conducted annually. In the forthcoming competition reliability will again be the principal factor in the contest, although a good touring speed has to be maintained on the road that will allow very little waste time for overhauling and repairs between the two capitals. The contest will this time be held from Melbourne to Sydney—a distance of 572 miles —and will start from the Haymarket, Melbourne, on Tuesday, November 14th, and finish in Sydney on Saturday, November 18th. The course will be divided into five stages, each section to be covered under schedule time, for which 500 points will be awarded each day. On the concluding day’s run, from Goulburn to Sydney (129 miles), an additional 500 points will be awarded each.