CYCLING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8101, 29 August 1904, Page 4

CYCLING.

WHEEL TALK. (By ROVER.) ; Referring to the agreement witk tie League of New Zealand Wheelmen, ths annual report of the Caledonian Societies' • Association for ISO 4 states :—" When the , agreement was entered into it was hoped that it would prove of benefit to both con- ' trolling bodies, and was mainly the result of a deputation from the League of Wheelmen sent to thelaet annual meeting of the Association. At that time the League's influence in the North Island wB6 very small, th« Association being similarly situated in the South Island. Per contra, the League was strong in the South and the Association in the North. The Executive Council endeavoured, as far as lay in its power, to carry out the agreement in its entirety, insisting: on all affiliated societies conducting their cycling events under the League's ruks. Two of the strongest societies in the South Island—the South Canterbury and the Otago Caledonian' Societies—declined to affiliate to the Association, or ev*n to conduct their sports under its .rules, yet the League of Wheelmen gave them permireicn to conduct cycling events under their ruU-s. The agreement, therefore, has only harassed many of the societies affiliated to the Association, without giving the Association any benefit, and, as it was only entered into as an j experiment, the Executive Council has no ! hesitation in suggesting that a 6imilar agreement ehould not be entered into in tho future. Neither body- has anything in common, and they will do more good to their respective sports by working out I their own destinies." . I W. Schwiegershausen. the German cyclist ! who toured through Australia some two i years ago, has completed his circuit of i the countries of the world, alter five years continual travelling. Owing to bungling, the Tasmanian Dtmlop test race, held on July 23, proved si fiasco, and it was re-run on August 6, R. G. Blazeby (30min) tho winner on the first occasion, again proving successful. The distance was 116 miles, and the prize for fastest time was secured by A. Hax'diman, scratch, who completed tho course in 7hr 9min 45sec. In connection with the Macfarland case (says the "Australian Cyclist"), a lot of ink is being spilt at tb.3 present time, and those in authority are acting the "injured innocent to perfection." The secretary of the New South Wales League is alleged to have said that, if Macfarland is allowed to race in America, he would fight the matter out to the bitter end. Well, Macfarland is racing, and has been racing for two months. The latest about him is that he staved in a motor-paced race, so that sparks should bo set a-flying soon over Sydney way. Frequently have I been asked (says " Fortis") as to what are the different ranges that may be taken in speed gears, and the following, taken from the g.earcard of the Sturmey-Archer device, will prove interesting: — Low Gear. Normal Gear. High Gear. 49.8 in. 62.2 m. 77.7 in. 52.3 in. 65.3 in.. 81.Gin. 54.8 in. 68.4 in. 85.Sin. " 57.2iu. 71.5 in. 89.3 in. 59.7 in. 74.6 in. 93.2 in 62.2;n. 77.7 in. 97.1 in. 64.7 in. SO.Sin. lOlin. "Wheeler" of the Sydney "Referee" correctly regards Jack Arnst as " a very quiet, modest young man for a champion, but full of grit, as his chief' performances have proved." Arnst, in a chat said that the Goulburn-Sydney course, over which he put up such a meritorious performance, was quite different to what he had. been usad j to owing to the hills and the rough sffr-. face. " I could not get along on it at all.' in parts," he remarked. The- colonial road ; champion intends to remain in Melbourne, for a while after the- Warrnambool—Melbourne event, and do a- bit of track rating in the early part of the season, while he may also be 6e-en in Sydney at the first meeting. Arnst wants, however, to get back in time for the New Zealand Wheel Race meeting. By the last 'Frisco mail I (" Fortis ") received a letter from F. H. Scheps, who, with 0. Stever.6. went to America at the end of last season. He is at present attached to the Pope Manufacturing Com- j pauy's racing team, and is doing very well-. ! So far, he has not raced a great deal, his most important ride being against Krebs, a noted sprinter, who, however, beat him in two out. of three test races. At the time of writing he expected to go to St. i Louis, where a big racing tournament was to be held; then on to Salt Lake City, and, finally, back to San Francisco, which he •expects to leave early in September for Australia. He also states that Macfarland intended coming with him, but the refusal of the New South Wales league to remit Macfarland's disqualification may iuflu.uce : that rider's future movements. Scheps ! also remarked that Kramer and Fenn, two Yankee cracks, were contemplating a visit here; but he thinks they will back down when the time comes. From other sources I learn that the over-sea cracks who, so far, will be here almost for a certainty, are Major Taylor and Ellegaard, the Continental sprinter. These riders will probably be engaged by the Sydney syndicate which brought out Taylor last year. A large manufacturing firm in Connecticut, U.S.A., announces that it has a new two-speed device ready, with which is combined a free wheel and back-pedalling brake, that may be applied to any chsindriven bicvele, new or olid, and available at a price within the reach of all. '; A terrible motor accident occurred on the road between Bordeaux and Bayonne on ' July 3, whereby Beconnais, % well-known French chauffeur, and Bernard, his mechanician, were killed. Their car was going at full arceed when a tyre burst, with the result that both occupants were thrown against a tree with fatal -effect. Tommy Hall,'-the crack English pacefollower, is still being pursued with the ■worst, of lufik on the Continent. Whilst training in Berlin, early in July, his motor suddenly stopped, with the result that Hall was violently thrown on the track, and although nob dangerously injured, a spell, of Kome weeks was necessitated. , A pathetic ceremony took place at New York on June 19, when a monument was dedicated in the Bay Street cemetery to the

I . : late Harry Elkes, the inscription on the -front consisting of the name "Harry D. ELkes," and a symbolical wheel, with outstretched wings, while on the back is inscribed the lin«, "Champion Cyclist of the i World." j The great series of road races organised by the French journal, "L'Auto," under the name of " Tour de Franoe," was started on July 2in fine weather. The first section comprised the Paris to Lyons road, a , distance of about 350 miles, and eightyeight competitors took part in it, among whom were Maurice Qarin (last year's winner), and Aucouturier, who were hot favourites. The finish took' place on the Lyons track. On the following afternoon, G-arin, the well-known stayer, did a grand performance in finishing the distance in 17hr 7min, with Pothier secondhand Chevalier third. Aucouturier, of whom great things were expected, was unplaced, owing to a fall en route. Motor-paced racing must decidedly be put down as a very dangerous sport, for almost every day now brings the news of some severe, if not fatal, accident (says " Cycling " of July 6). Simultaneously, lnst week came the nsws of Hall's in Berlin, and Waltbour's, in America. This happened during a three-cornered match in Atlanta, where Walthour was meeting Moran and M'Lean, whom he was leading. For some reason yet unknown, his pacemaker swerved, and the unfortunat? " Bobby " was pitched on to the railinsrs. He was picked up in a very poor state, his left arm -and collar-bone being fractured, also two ribs. This terrible fall, although Walthour is expected to recover, may prevent him from racing again this year, and ; coming back to Europe, as he had coniract- • ed to do. It appears that the final of tbe Grand Prix de Paris, which was won by Mayer (Germany) was responsibl-s for seine sensational features. In tii*" last semi-final, the crowd considered that Mayer had interforM with th<? chances nf their- hero. Jacquelin, and roundly bussed him. Tie climax came when the thre-e qualified men, Rutt, ; Ellegaard and Mayer appeared to racs the final. At once, according to " Cy- ; cling," the hostility to Mayer took an active form, and papers, potatoes, stones and rubbish of all kinds were hurled at him, the other two receiving the force of many of the missiles intended for Mayer. Tha race was won by half a length. Previous winners of the race have 'been—l 834, Banker (America) : 1895, Morin (France) ; 1896, Morin (France) ; 1897, Morin JfcFrance); 1898, Bourilion (FnnceV; 1899, i Tomasslli (Italy) ; 1900, Jacquelin (France) ; ']°01. Elleganrrl (Denmark): 1902, Mc-ycrs (Holland) • 1905, Meyers (Holland). Xo sooner had Ivor Lawson. tlv? crack American sprinter, arrived in Pa' is than he issued a challenge to the w'nner of the Grand Prix de Paris, whoever that might be. H^-nri Mayer, the German surprise packet, beinsr the winner, and agreeable to Lawson's terms, the two met at an cvenine; meeting on the Buffalo track on June 30. Result : An easy win for Maver. The first match was decided over 1000 metres, Lawson acting as pacemaker until two hundred yards from the winning line, when Mayer made his effort, and getting his wheel in front, seemed content to win by threequarters of a length. The second match was ov»r 900 metres, but this time there was a difference of opinion as to. who •Should lead, and before half a lap had been covered Lawson fell through tr>ing to force .Mayer to th-s front. A re-start ws made, 'the* crowd cheering Mayer for returning to the startinr-line. At the crack of the pistol the Gcrrcan went to the front and led from start to finish. Lawson made a desperate effort to pass Mayer in the last lap, but without avail, the Grand Prix winner getting homa by a good length, thus claiming the match. One of the chief attractions at the Manchester Wheelors' meeting, on July 8, was a series of races between the three professionals—lvor Lawson (America), Harrie Meyers (Holland), and Syd Jenk'ns (England). In the lap event Ivor Lawson came out best, with Jenkins next and Meyers third. In the half-mile, Lawson made Meyers and Jenkins look very small, but in the mile Jenkins got a certain quantity of hie own back. To a poor pace set by Meyers, at the bell Jenkins lay a long 1 way in the rexr, and' it looked as though lie was preparing :hia jump. He was and, without being headed, swung into and down the straight, a great winner from Lawson and Meyers. Lawson (says "Cycling") fully justified his groat American and Australian reputation, his tremendous finishing sprint landing him first over the tape three i .times out of four in 6~h© afternoon. ! Tie N.C.TJ. ten-mil© championship was ' decided at the Crystal P&lace on July 9, and resulted in a win for A. L. Reed, with A. E. Wills second; time, 23min 16 2-ssec. The bicycle has been a Toad to fortune" to many people. Many champion riders have become, in France especially, opulent manufacturers or dealers. Charrein, Cottereau and Fournier are now at the bead of large businesses. Othors have taken an entirely different road, »s Bourillon, who is first tenor at the Bordeaux Opera House ; Morin, who has become a substantial farmer;. Anthony (Henry Debray), th« editor of a re-igious journal. In England, Mills, Shorland and Edge are in wealthy firms of automobile manufacturers ; Walters is one of the principal London tailors; Mercedy edits a j journal at Dublin ; Tom Linton is a hotel- ', keeper at Neuilly-sur-Seine. In Belgium, Holbein is in the cycle trade; in Holland, Jaap Eden has a wholesale tobacco --. warehouse. In America, Tom Cooper is a, motor manufacturer j Bob Miller, professional " chauffeur " at St Paul ; Frank Buller has a poultry farm jn Michigan; the famous Zimmerman is proprietor of a hotel in New Jersey ; M'Duffy is a hairdresser, while tho brothers Banker are in the automobile trade. Floyd Macfarland has been speaking out in the .States. In an interview with one of the leading journals there the American said:— "l am going t& ride on my own account this year, as I am sick of being a team mate to a slave." "Yes," he replied, in answer to a question about Lawson,. "he and I have parted. No more teaming for me with the latter. Far three years I ha T « been team mato, and now I mean to make a change. If ever, tdo ge*a team mate, I shall be the star member, and nob the man to do th« work so that the other fellow may get the glory. Jam quite sure," he continued, "that the central cycle governing body in Australia will not uphold the suspension meted out to me by the New South Wales League, and I be able to race here '■•all the season. In the fall, wfc«n <^c circuit is finished, I hope to re-visit Australia, and race there again. In fact, when over there I was offered a big contract by an Australian ocyck-maker to run hi s cycles, and if I decide on the matter I may select one of ; the Australian riders as my team mate there." Unfortunately for Macfarland, the recent decision of th« New South Wales League with regard to his appeal will upset, his future plans considerably. Jhe remarkable evenness of the paoe of Th«ry and Jenatzy, the first and seoond to finish in the Gordon-Bennett ' motor race, hr.6. attracted the attention of motorists throughout tbe world. In a circuit of about" 82 miles the difference in time was only one second, t-h« faster (Jenatzv) occupying 1 bour 26 mim rt«s 56 seconds. Thery covered the first two circuits in 2 hours 53 minutes 4 seconds, and Jenatzy j.. o. kaniß 53 minntes 29 second*, wbila at

the end of tie third circuit Thery had i gain of 10 minutce 11 seconds ; his tiny being 4 hours 23 minutes 4 seconds. H( increased his lead to 11 minutes 20 seconds finishing the fourth and last lap in 5 hour: 50 minutes 8 e-econds. Jenatzy, who wai the . defender of the cup, eeems to hav< been unfortt?nate in losing time at varioui points. At one place 3 minutes w-ere wast ed, ivhile at another 5 minutes -"were losi through some difiiculty in restarting hi eng-ine after being stopped in control Railway gates being closed against him vra another ca-uee of delay, which brought hi total loss of time up to aboirfc niua minutes j Therefore, the difference between the runn j ing times of the leaders over a course o •328 miles did not account t'o'mrh mor | than two minutes— a wonderful perform ance.