CYCLING

Southland Times, Issue 21773, 30 July 1932, Page 15

CYCLING

INVERCARGILL AMATEUR CLUB. (By “Pluggen”) Fixtures. August 6.—Opening day, 18 mile road race—Roslyn Bush and return via Myross Bush. August 27.—Third annual Gore-In-vercargill road race, 40 miles. September 17.—Otago 50-mile championship at Dunedin. Another season is about to commence and riders are busy training and overhauling machines for the opening day next Saturday. The race will start from Mary Street at 2.30 p.m., entries closing on Tuesday. The handicaps will be out on Thursday. As far as enthusiasm goes, this season promises to be more successful than ever. All members are keen to do their bit to help the club along. The president, Mr F. Sutherland, is missed. Having a building contract at Waikaka he is unable to attend meetings at present, but Mr R. McCash is a worthy substitute and is keeping things running smoothly. The live wire of the club is the treasurer, Mr H. Insall, who last year saved the club considerable expense in more ways than one. He is very keen and no matter what he is asked to do he carries out his duties to the complete satisfaction of everyone. A few more like Mr Insall would certainly be welcome and the club would be assured of success at every turn. Mr M. Wilson has been elected assistant club reporter to Mr D. Paton, who cannot attend weekly meetings. New riders are rolling in freely, and already five have signified their intention of joining up. When the season is in full swing fully 20 club riders should be able to face the starter. Among the new riders are C. Wyllie, late of Dunedin, who has not ridden for a couple of seasons but is very keen again; J. Robinson, who has not yet faced the starter; J, Hall, who acquitted himself well in the last race held last season: and Jackson brothers, of Wright’s Bush, lately amateur riders of Waikouaiti. These boys have not put in an appearance up to the present, but they have written in wishing to join the club. The Avon Cup to be donated by Maling and Co, Christchurch, is a welcome trophy, and is to be competed for over a series of three races, the rider gaining the most points to hold the cup which is to be called “The Avon Challenge Cup Series” for 12 months. Together with the cup will be the cups to the value of 25/- for first, 20/- for second and 7/6 for third, the winners of these cups being decided after all three races have been run. The distance for the races has been set down as follows: 10 miles, Kennington factory and return; 16 miles, Roslyn Bush School and return; 27 miles, Woodlands-Rakauhauka and return. The dates will be arranged later. A vote of thanks has been passed to Mr G. Wilson for procuring this trophy. The club is again indebted to Mr and Mrs H. Booth for the handsome Booth Cup, which they have always donated for the winner of the Gore-Invercar-gill road race. Mrs Booth has always been a great asset to the club when holding functions and it is pleasing to note that both are taking the same interest in the club this season.

A very interesting film was screened at the Regent Theatre last week-end when scenes of Hubert Opperman’s world record breaking were witnessed. “Oppie” is the idol of all cycle enthusiasts the world over, and his 1,000mile ride in 28hr 55min 39sec was a feat any man in the world would be proud of. I think it will be many a long day before Opperman’s record will be broken, if ever, unless he attempts to break his own record. The Gore-Invercargill road race is already creating great interest among the riders, and all are ambitious to win it at least once. It is the biggest race held by the club and always attracts a team of riders from Dunedin. Four or five riders already contemplate making the trip this year, and as this race is still a month ahead it will not be surprising if ten or a dozen come from Otago.