CYCLING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3745, 28 May 1901, Page 4

CYCLING.

Despatch cycle riding in South Africa is not by any means a picnic, judging from the experience of a couple of good riders who went from Capetown to Clanwillian, a distance of one hundred and fifty seven miles in thirty sis hours. It is evident that only the strongest and toughest riders can bo used for this class of wort. Still there should he a good Hold for them, and their services will no doubt lie of incalculable benefit.

Equal twenty six inch wheel, ono and a quarter single tube Dunlop tyres, wooden rims, six and three quarter inch cranks and ninety inch to ninety six inches gears are what the European and English racing cracks are ordering for the present racing season. With the exception of the twentysix inch wheel—practically the same combination is used by our speediest riders. Au Australian writer on the Cycle Paths Tax.—’‘The question as to whether it is not better for cyclists to pay a small annual tax, and have bettor roads, is one of vital interest to all wheelmen. The trouble appears to be tho proper adjustment of matters so that cyclists will personally derive the benefits and advantages from the expenditure of their own money on road improvements. Xo reasonable cyclist would object to pay say from 5s to 10s per annum cycle tax—provided the amount, accruing therefrom was spent for their own benefit But there’s the rub —if such a tax was levelled would it load to hotter roads in these States V We think net. In the first instance tho eyeliug population of tho Commonwealth is too wide spread for all cyclists to derive benefits ni the shape of roads. This being the case, country cyclists would naturally object to paying a tax for the improvement of metropolitan roads upon which they never cycle, and vice versa. It is totally different in the case of a nation like France with its thickly populated millions. French cyclists pay an annual cycle tax, the whole of which is spent upon roads maintenance, the result being the best roads in the world Some three millions six hundred thousand pounds are annually spent on these roads, bo that it it little wonder they are kept in such perfect order.” Au item is going the round of tho English press to the effect that in 1858. King Edward VII., at tho age of 17 was tho happy possessor of a brand new velocipede. It was manufactured by a Mr Sawyer of Dover, who made it a point to put all tho latest improvements of his day into tho machine Folks in those days considered it of beautiful construction and commented on the fact that it was “ capable of going at the rate of eight miles tin;hour." This velocipede was a gift, from the maker, and was the result of a visit paid by the young prince and his tutor to the manufactory, it cost £3O, and is still preserved as ono of the Iteyal curiosities. It is strangely different from the Dunlop - shod Singer bicycle the King learned to ride a few years ago.