CYCLE AND MOTOR NOTES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 95, 17 December 1912, Page 8

CYCLE AND MOTOR NOTES.

V/oi'ltS’s Road Reccrd Qsaten. After u lapse of nearly two and a halt years, Leoif Meredith’s 10U miles unp.iced out-and-liome world s record of -llirs 52inin 51 -l-osec, has been beaten by the Tasmanian crack, F. T. Keefe, who covered the “Century” unassisted, in the wonderful time of Jill’s 50min 17sec.'This unpaced out-and-homo record of Meredith's has been looked upon as one of tno finest individual road perform-

ances accomplished by any cyclist in the world. When particulars of tnc English champion’s fine ride came to hand, the Dunlop Rubber Company, with a view to determining whether any Australasian road rider was capable of bettering such a performance, decided to make a sporting offer of £2O and a £o os gold medal to the first Australasian cyclist who lowered Meredith’s record. The keenest interest was excited in cycling circles throughout the Commonwealth and New Zealand over the Dunlop Company’s offer, and several attempts were made in different parts of Australasia to secure the prize and honour of holding the classing record. The Tasmanian rider, F. Keefe, was one of the aspirants, and last year when racing in California, U.S.A., ho took advantage of the good roads round Los Angeles, and made an attempt to capture the record. He registered ohrs 2min, despite losing considerable time in the second “fifty”, through three punctures. His performance, however, easily bettered the previous American 100 miles unpaced record, and was passed by the authorities there. Upon his return to Tasmania ho notified the Dunlop Company of his intention to make

A Further Attempt on the Record. Ho tried and failed, owing to cutting his tyre through early in tho ride. Keefe then visited Victoria, and established second fastest time in the recent Bendigo-Melbourno road race. Ho then returned home, and at his third attempt succeeded in putting up one of the finest road rides yet accomplished in any part of the world. Keefe selected a 2b miles course from Perth to Conara, on the HobartLaunceston road, and checked and supervised by officials of the League of Tasmanian Wheelmen, he recorded the following times:—First 25 miles in Ihr 4min oOsec. Then turning back, he reached his starting point (50 miles' in 2hrs 21min. OOsec. Doubling back on the same course again, he registered tho 75 miles in 3hrs 32min, and tho full 100 miles in 4hrs. 50min 17sec. His intermediate “fifties,” were first in Ihr 4min 30,sec, second in Ihr 17 min, third in Ihr lOmin OOsec, and fourth in Ihr 18min 17sec. Tho League officials have notified the Dunlop Company that the actual measurement of the course shows that Keefe covered in all 100 miles 920 yards. To see that all the conditions of tho ride were duly carried out, the League’s referee followed Keefe on a motor cycle. He bode “Dunlops,” and never left the saddle during the ride. Tho only trouble met with was a big mob of sheep, which had to be passed four times during the journey. Keefe started his ride at three in the afternoon, and finished up in the dusk of the evening. The Tasmanian crack has been the recipient of many congratulatory telegrams from all over the Commonwealth on account of his wonderful ride. Across the United States.

According to advices from America the proposed Motor Cycle Relay Despatch Ride across the United States from New York to San Diego in California, has been postponed for a few months. It was found, when making detailed arrangements for the many relays (of about 100 miles each) right across the Continent, that the conditions in many parts were very unfavourable, and would have seriously interfered with a fair test of the motor cycle’s power and endurance, so it was thought better to delay the event than risk a failure at the present juncture. The ride will bo held early in 1913.