AMATEUR CYCLING

Southland Times, Issue 22498, 7 December 1934, Page 5

AMATEUR CYCLING

(By

Wheelman.)

Coming Events. To-morrow.—Drummond sports, 6.45 p.m. i December 11.—Royal Show evening sports (1 mile amateur cycling, 7 p.m ), December 12.—Royal Show evening sports (1J miles amateur cycling, 7 p.m.). December 13.—Royal Show evening sports (2 miles amateur cycling, 7 p.m.). December 15.—Ryal Bush evening sports. December 18.—Evening sports, Rugby Park. December 19.—R.P.A.C. official meeting. Holiday Circuit December 25.—Drummond annual sports (4 mile, 1 mile and 2 miles amateur cycling). December 26.—Limehills annual sports (1 mile, 1£ miles and 1J miles). December 26. —Waipiata. January I.—Alexandra. February ( —). —Track Championships (1 mile and 3 miles amateur cycling). Notes. On Tuesday evening another successful sports meeting was staged by the 1.A.A.C., good fields competing in both cycle events. Conditions were favourable and some good cycling was witnessed. The one-mile attracted 14 riders, which made it necessary to stage two heats. In the first heat L. Bloy, C. W. Robinson and H. Insall qualified for the final, while in the second heat C. A. Robinson, J. Robinson and L. Johnson qualified. In the final C. A. Robinson (140yds) did not look a winner in the early stages, but in the second lap drew away from the field and won by two lengths from J. Robinson (40yds), with C. W. Robinson (40yds) five lengths back in third place. The two miles race attracted 10 riders. J. Gardiner (400yds) rode well for six laps, but tired over the final stages. If he had had a co-marker he would have gone close to winning the race. In the second last lap J. Robinson- put in a very fast sprint, being under the impression that it was the final lap. This goes to show how necessary a bell is. In the final sprint M. Smith secured the honours by half a wheel from L. Johnson, with H. Insall a fair distance back in third place. This meeting seemed to be a good training ride for some members. The fortnightly meeting of the local club was held on Tuesday evening in the club rooms. It was pleasing to see so many members in attendance and it is hoped that even more will attend the final meeting for this year on December 18. Owing to a number of complaints regarding the last lap in races it was decided to purchase a bell. Next week amateur cycling events will be staged at the A. and P. Show evening entertainment. Without a | doubt the A. and P. Association reaps | considerable benefit from these events and also it helps the sport to no small extent locally. This year, being a Royal Show, a three-night season is being staged, there being one cycle event each evening. Tuesday, 1 mile; Wednesday, 1J miles and Thursday, 2 miles. In the past a half-mile event has been staged, but the local club considers a race of this type is over in a flash and is not as interesting to the public as a longer event, so it was decided to delete it from the programme. A number of rules have been decided upon by the local club officials who will govern the cycling events. The rules, which will be strictly adhered to, are set out below: — (1) All competitors will be required to pay admittance at the gate, also a small entry fee will be charged each night. (2) All members who are covered by | the accident fund must have it paid up to date, otherwise they will be unable to claim for damages which may occur. (3) All competitors must have their registered number attached. (4) If a rider does not cover more than 20 yards in his heat he may if necessary compete in the next heat. If the above occurs in the last heat the competitor will not be able to compete in the final. (5) Heats: The first heat will commence at 7 o’clock sharp each evening. All heats will be published in this paper next week. Any rider being late for his published heat will not be able to compete in the next heat. (6) A bell will be rung to denote the final lap of each event. (7) Competitors will throughout the three nights’ events be under the jurisdiction of the local club’s officials whose decisions will be final. Intending competitors are requested to comply with the above rules so as to save any trouble and unpleasantness. The Robinson brothers showed a clean pair of heels to the remainder of the field in the final of the one mile on Tuesday evening, “Scotty” gaining the honours, with J. and C. W. Robinson in second and third places. With “Scotty” on the limit, C.W. jogged to the front of the remainder of the field in the second lap when “Scotty s chances looked anything but bright. A fair amount of headwork is always necessary in cycle races and C .W. Robinson used plenty. J. Gardiner, the juvenile member ot the club, rode well in the 2-mile event. This rider has the necessary grit and determination to carry him to sucM. Smith put up a great sprint to secure the honours in the 2-mile event from the scratch mark. L. Johnson was perhaps a trifle unfortunate in the 2 miles, being defeated by less than half a wheel for first place, according to the judge’s decision. _ H. Insall secured third place, being a fair way back from the successful competitors. This rider is suffering from a very common complaint at present (“sunburn”). A number of the competitors seem to be like an empty ginger-ale bottle—not “popping.” The handicaps for the Royal Show fixtures may surprise some of these members. Over 25 entries have been received for the Royal Show fixture, making three heats necessary each evening. To-morrow evening the Drummond Club is holding the second track meeting for the 1934 season. Besides running, tug-of-war and Highland dancing, three cycle events will be staged. The cycling events are as follows: Half-mile (first 7/6, second 5/-, third 2/6), 1 mile (first 15/-, second 10/-, third 5/-), 2 miles (first 25/-, second 12/6, third 5/-). This meeting will commence at 6.45 p.m. On December 25 the annual sports meeting of the Drummond Club will be held. An attractive programme has been drawn up.