CYCLES IN WAR.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13729, 18 March 1915, Page 6

CYCLES IN WAR.

For despatch carrying in France, the official average rate fixed by the English uithorities is 20 miles per hour for motor cycles, and 8 miles for the cyclist. The great extent of ground to be> covered in France necessitates in many instances bicycle relays being established. These are generally concealed at points well distant from towns and villages, and the men work in 'reliefs' as sentries do —that is, take it in regular turns for duty. Where cyclists nnd motor cyclists are employed each post contains at least one artificer for repair of machines. The number and position of relay posts depend a good deal on the nature of the country, tho attitude of the inhabitants, toe state of the roads, the weather, etc. At cich relay post there is always one man ready to start at a moment's notice, with tyres pumped hard, kit adjusted, etc. Very often these posts have to be entrenched. It is very important for scouts or reconnoitring patrols to know exactly where these posts are situated. Motor cyclists are '"onerally required to take their messages right through without stopping at relay posts.