CYCLING

Southland Times, Issue 22487, 24 November 1934, Page 15

CYCLING

(By

“Wheelman.”)

Coming Events.

To-night.—Drummond amateur sports. To-morrow.—l.A.C.C. picnic, Oreti

Beach. November 27.—Winton Evening Sports Club meeting (two amateur cycling events). December 11,12 and 13.—Royal Show

evening sports (one amateur cycling event each evening). December 26.—Limehills annual sport. December 26.—Wapiata sports. December ( —). —Cromwell annual sports. January I.—Alexander annual sports. NOTES. Last Saturday the Ryal Bush Club commenced activities for the 1934-35 season with a track meeting. Two cycling events were held, namely, halfmile and one mile. Fair entries were received for both events, the half-mile requiring two heats and a final. The track was very tricky after heavy rain and was also on the rough side, which was detrimental to fast times being registered. Nevertheless some good racing was witnessed. The finishes reflected considerable credit on the handicapper. When one considers that this club commenced activities only last season the meeting was a well run one. One or two improvements could be made, namely, an official to call the number of rounds yet to go, also a bell to denote the commencement of the final lap; officials at each corner to stop any cross-country antics that do and will always occur if officials are not in attendance at the named points; and a referee with power to act when any questionable riding is witnessed. The writer hopes these few suggestions will be received in the proper spirit. The half-mile event contained two heats and a final. In the first heat W. Kent (65yds.) had the race well in hand after the first lap, but as usual faded out over the final stages. C. Robinson (15yds.) won with ease from L Bloy (15yds.) with H. Insall in thiid place. In the second heat G. King (10yds.) had a runaway victory, winning by nearly half a lap from I. Ayres with J. Tunnicliffe third. It was in this heat that the only spill of the meeting occurred when R. Bruland and J. Jackson came to grief without any serious complications. In the final 1. Ayres led for the first lap, then C. Robinson forged to the front, closely followed by G. King and L. Bloy. This order was the same coming into the straight, C. Robinson maintaining his advantage and crossing the line in first place. G. King, a length away, was second with L. Bloy two lengths away m third place. H. Insall was fourth. Nine riders competed in the mile event. F. Gaitt (80yds.) was the limit rider for this event and in the first lap was holding his handicap and more. The second lap saw Gaitt still in front, but with the field closing up fast. At the commencement of the third lap J. Tunnicliffe (50yds.) went to the front and gradually left the field to win comfortably with G. King well back in second place. H. Reynolds was til Five laps were taken for the mile event when only four should have been necessary. This shows how necessary a lap recorder is and also a bell. In the third lap R. Bruland decided to retire when practically on the corner at the top of the straight. This rider, instead of continuing round the course at a slow pace until the remainder of the field has passed, went straight ahead, taking C. Robinson, who was coming up fast on the outside, with him and it was only Robinson’s track experience that saved a nasty spill. Bruland came to grief in the half mile also The writer hopes he will be more careful in future CV G nt King, who it will be remembered rode at the show fixtures last season, on Saturday evening showed a marked improvement on last season s riding and should ride to advantage in future events. . J. Tunnicliffe with his usual consistent training should be a good match for not only local riders but also outside competitors in future events. I. Ayres cannot expect to . win races unless he settles down to serious training. He will need to turn over a new leaf to be in the running in future competitions. F. Gaitt has the necessary enthusiasm to carry him on and from a. middle mark, with training, will win his share of races. R. Dixon, a first-year road and track rider, was on the track for the first time on Wednesday evening and showed plenty of dash for a novice. W. Pickford seems to have forsaken the cycle as he has not as yet commenced training. The writer hopes to see him don his regalia next week. The weather conditions have been only fair during the week for any first class training and it is hoped that there will be a marked improvement next week as a number of riders will need plenty of training for the Royal Show fixtures.

To-night the Drummond Club’s track activities commence for the 1934 season with one mile and'two mile events. A large contingent of local riders intends making the trip if weather conditions are favourable.

On Tuesday evening the Winton Evening Sports Club is holding a meeting. Two amateur cycling events are being included on the programme. The R.P.A.C. evening meeting to have been held last Tuesday was postponed and as yet nothing definite has been received regarding its next meeting.

It is reported that some local amateur cyclists are going to the “dogs.” Quite a number of members have purchased whippets during the last few weeks. Perhaps they are to be used as pace-makers. H. G. Watson, the crack professional cyclist, arrived from Australia by the Maheno. During his short stay in the city he met a number of local riders and his record breaking machine was on display in a local cycle store. H. Reynolds, who secured, a place on his first ride on the track last season, should with training be we]l to the fore in coming fixtures. The Ryal Bush Club would be well advised to hold its meetings fortnightly, say, the alternate Saturday to Drummond.

To-morrow the biennial picnic of the club will be held at Oreti Beach. Last year over 200 attended this function and considerably more are expected this year. Any officials, supporters and country enthusiasts can, if they so desire, make the trip by bus leaving at 10.30 a.m. or 1.30 p.m. Riders are requested to meet at H.B. corner at 10.15 a.m. with their cycles as the club captain has arranged a club run. A full attendance is requested. The picnic will be held at the same site as last year, tea, milk and sugar being provided. At the local club’s meeting on Tuesday evening arrangements were finalized for the club’s picnic to-morrow. Mr and Mrs McCash were again unanimously elected to secure the necessary prizes for the various events. It was also decided to hold the next meeting on December 4, when full arrangements would be made for the Royal Show fixture. The club photograph was also on view and copies are available from the secretary. , Members are reminded of a rule passed at the last annual meeting—any member competing at country fixtures must notify the local secretary or handicappers of his handicaps and placings. Although the local club has sent a balance-sheet to Dunedin in reference to its part of the Invercargill-Dunedin event, no balance-sheet has yet arrived from Dunedin.

Five local riders journeyed to Ryal Bush last Saturday and secured a fair amount of success in the haff mile event.

C. W. Robinson never left the halfmile in doubt and over the last lap, although the field was bunched, was not extended to any great extent. In the one mile he was in a good position when the inexperience of a novice rider put him out of the running. L. Bloy was well up in both events, but lacked finish for such an experienced rider. H. Insall’s performance gave one the impression that he was having his first race. . , „ W. Kent had as usual the race well in hand over the first half, but faded badly over the final stages—a common occurrence with this competitor. R. Wilson had the misfortune to lose a codder pin early in the race and this put him out.of the running.