CYCLING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17008, 5 April 1923, Page 3

CYCLING

By

ON TRACK AND ROAD

“Wheel"

ON ROAD AND TRACK. FIXTURES. April 7—Ohoka road race. April 7 —Paparua club’s ladies’ road race. April 14—Marshland-Ala irehau club’s ladies’ championship and road race. April 21—Canterbury championship (forty miles). April 28—Canterbury Derby Championship. May .s—Paparua club's road race.

Cyclists had a busy time at Easter, several sports meetings being held. Afc ad the meetings the Christchurch riders secured the bulk of the prize money.

The Kowliai Athletic Sports Club’s anjvnal meeting, held at Sefton on Eastae Monday, provided an excellent day’s sports for cycle racing enthusiasts. The weather conditions were ideal. Owing to. the track—which, by the way. was in very good order—being nearly Half a mile in circumference, spectators on the fiat could not obtain a good view of the racing, but from a terrace close to the finishing place the progress of the racing could be easilv followed. Big fields were the order of the day, owing to the track being safe, spills were conspicuous by their absence. A peculiarity of the track was that it rose slightly *t the finishing line, but not enough to slow the riders to any great extent.

A feature of this meeting was the ex eell««t riding of the limit men. who left nothing to chance, and worked together. Very good times were recorded throughout, and the riding in every •vent was clean and above reproach in every particular. There was no need of a referee to he appointed for this meeting, \\nich on the whole was well conducted. Traffic over the track during the races was absent, but it would have been well to have kept the public m»t oi the enclosure.

The feature event of the day was the five*milc Kowliai wheel race, for which twenty-four riders stinted. The race was run off in a straight-out race. The field was well divided up. Saunders, as usual, had s big gap to pick up. and ww* on his own. In the fifth lap the order of the riders was as follows: Smith (sSX)yds). Quick (580yds), Paterson (560yds). "Wvlie (560yds), Starkey (590yds). Stevenson (590yds). Then came Chamberlain (240vds), Morwood (180yds). Wilbraham (240yds). and Ritchie (180yds). followed by Dickson foOydft). Dyer (lOCyds), and Mavra (100 yds). Seme distance in the rear Saunclera (scratch) was riding a srlid unpaced race). In the seventh lap the pace began to tell on the leaders, who slowed up considerably, and the field

bogmn to oioec up. Chamberlain. and A4-'{lowan led about fourteen others in the eighth lap, followed by Diokoon, Marra and Dyer, who were ipcruing steadily on the leaders. Soundem was still riding a hopeless race in the rear. M’Gwsm, M’Nally and Chamberlain led the ninth lap. when was prominent by taking the back men up with » fast lap. Ritchie. Dickson and M’Nally led the big field the bell, and "Wilbrahajai broke away with three-quarters* of a lap to go and got a big lend. He was chased by Dickson. Wilbraham still led at the straight, but was challenged by Dickson, who was all out, and a brilliant sprint ended in Dickson winning a great race by a wheel from "Wilbrraharn. Paterson being third, M’Gowhu fourth and R-itdhi-e fifth. r n?e time - which was exceptionally good. 12min ,£ave cue a a idea- of how fast

the track was, and it also proved how weH the front men worked to keep away from the back-markers. This race was by far the best handi- \ capped event of the day, with the exception of Saunders, who was set an impossible task to overhaul his nearest men. Saunders did very well to hold his own against the combined efforts of Dyer, Mavra and Dickson. 'J he limit in this event. 590 yards, was rather much, but very reasonable when compared with the. handicaps in the one and two-mile race*, which were out of all proportion to the distances to be- raced over. In the mile, riders further back than 7Qyd* failed to qualify for the final, amd in the two-mile, with the exception of the second heat, when Saunders (25yds), Marra (oOyde) and Morwood (90yds) qualified, the nearest mark to the scratch men was 120yds.

S. L. Wilbraham. who won the mile handicap ■ and secured second place in the wheel race, proved that he cannot bo treated lightly when he gets to the front in the final lap. He rode with good judgment in the mile and had a comfortable win ; but in the five-mile lie tried to® long a sprint after a very hard ride. This young rider rode well all day, and has more than made amends for the first two meetings.

R. Chamberlain has taken a new lease of life during the past fortnight, having had a good run at the Papanui meeting, second place in the Sefton Road Race, and now winning the twomile event. " Diok ” struck a patch of bad luck during the early part of this season, but has recovered his form and is now getting a fair share of the prizes. The way “Dick” finished in the final of the two-mi!e disposed of anv idea that he was lacking in stamina. W. R. Dickson winner of the wheel race off the 50yd mark, rode an excellent and well-judged race, and thoroughly deserved his win. He is riding very consistently at present, and has a remarkable sprint for a Derby rider. In the other events “Billy ’’ was handicapped out of a place, but put up a game ride in spite of the severe handicaps.

D. Binnie. another local rider, who was treated very well by the handicappers, made the most of his handicap. He has not done a great deal of racing, but on Monday’s riding, with a little more training and experience, he should turn out very well indeed. If all front men worked as Binnie did at Sefton, the difference between the scratch men and the limit will have to be tightened up considerably.

| P. Saunders was the worst handicap - . ped rider at the meeting, and was rid ; . ,n K to win. but the tasks set by the ( 1 handicappers were too severe. The way _ | this plucky rider stuck to hi® work in the wheel race again**!, big odds proves i i thafc » sport. The starts he was | j asked to concede were out ot all pro ‘ | portion to his performances. l n tlio | mil© handicap at the St Patrick's meet- , ir >g, Saunders -was giving away 80yds, ‘ and could not win : yet on Saturday he ■was asked to concede the impossible i handicap of 230yds in a mile. E. Marra rode well all day , but could not get amongst the prize money. From 50yds he won his heat in the two-mile race, but was beaten in the final. ‘ Eddie " does not shirk his share of pacing, and, as he is a consistent start--1 1 er, hfi deserves better consideration | from the handicappers. He ] UIS a pjaee in any big ©yerit hfy>

season, and past performances do not warrant liis being put back so far.

T. Greig was disappointing, and, although very well treated, failed to get home. “Tom” has not shown his old form since his operation at the beginning of the season, the operation being the outcome of a spill at the St Patrick’s meeting last year.

A. A. Norwood has done nothing to warrant the hard mark he was handicapped on. but in spite of this he figured prominently on several occasions, doing his share of the work in picking up the leaders.

J. Dyer will have to improve a cen siderable amount before he can win off 59yds in a two-mile race. At St Pat rick’s sports he ran into third place off 220yds. giving away 50yds, yet on Monday he had to pick up a limit of 280yds. “Jim” rode well, and had hard luck in failing to qualify in his heat in the two-mile event.

\Y. Martin and E. G. Fuller both rode well in the mile handicap, finishing first and second respectively. The former was prominent in the five mile race by putting in some solid work, but failed when the extra push was needed at the finish. “ Bill ” has been knocking; several times lately and will no doubt surprise his friends at an early date.

A. C. Ritchie, a Derby rider, and practically inexperienced on the track, could hare done with more liberal treatment. Ritchie is very keen and has the makings of a real good, rider, but if he is handicapped on hard marks he may feel disposed to give the game

Of the local riders the most Drotnisins* were L. M'Gowan, J. Paterson and rJ. Wilson, any one of whom is liable to give a good account of himself. The writer would like to see these riders competing in good company and so gain the necessary track experience.

It is interesting to note that P. O’Shea’s time for the five miles at Leeston on December 16 on an asphalt track was 12min Usee. At Sefton Dickson was credited with doing five miles off the 50yds mark in 12min 0 3-5 sec—a remarkable performance.

“ Charlie” Bell was exceptionally veil treated at Waimate and consequently he Secured the bulk of the prize money. He gained first place in the half-mile, third in the two miles, first in the one mile and second in the scratch race. H. YY. Birch was second in the halfmile and two mile races. J. Bearman won the wheel race of two miles. A. Bonis was second iu the mile and third in the mile scratch race. P. O’Shea’s only win was the scratch

Out of twelve places in the four events. Christchurch riders filled ten, only missing third place in the halfmile handicap and third place in the mile handicap. Christchurch Club members also carried off the bulk of the prize money a 4 Waikari. the successful competitors being C. J. Stewart (first in the Der*y and one mile- open and third in the three mil events), W. Muir (first in the three mile, second in the one mile Derby and third iu the one mile open), 1 1< alley (second in the one mile open) and H. S. J. Field (third in the three mile open). A twenty-mile road race was held bv the Kowhai Athletic Club at Sefton on Saturday. The extra strong north-west wind was responsible for a considerable number of the riders withdrawing at Ihe competion of each circuit of’ the course, the event being decided around a four mile squar?. Twenty-five riders started, several Christchurch riders being amongst the number. The winner, H. A. Orchard, had things bis own way at the finish, being 21sec in front of Chamberlain, who beatSaunders by a narrow margin. Mackie and Leathern finished seventh and eighth respectively, 52sec behind Saunders, having lost 6see on their handi - j Saunders. secured the fastest time ; prize, riding the course in 56min 22sec, ; very good time considering the strong wind that was blowing, and also that Saunders had a spill during the fourth lap. j Martin rode a great race, but lost • what chances he might have had by preferring to ride by himself, consequently he did not finish amongst the prize winners. At one stage “ Bill ” was only a chain behind a group of riders. Leathern and Mackie had a long chase, and the only riders the scratch men caught were those who had drop ped out. The strong combination of fire riders in front in the final round caused them to lose ground. Ritchie was going well up to the time lie punctured in the third round, and but for this he might have been placed. Ritchie had a hard ride to Setton. taking the wrong road on two occasions. Of the Sefton riders, the followingshowed up well : —B. Powell, H. A. Orchard. J. Evans and E. Wilson. Anv one of these riders is liable to make a . name for himself in open company. ■ Christchurch riders were also successful at the annual meeting of the Temuka Bicycle and Athletic Club, held on Easter Monday. O’Shea won the mile scratch and mile handicap. The half-mile was won by J. Bearman, with Goodall second. Bell was second in the mile handicap. Burnaml won the 1-ig race, the* one and a half mile Tradesmen’s;. Handicap, .with liixch _WAS. JJiiM. jig

the scratch race and Mackic second in the scratch race and first in the one mile youths’ roadster handicap. A bad spill occurred in the final of the Wheel Race, O’Shea and Bell falling and hurting themselves badly. In spite of his injuries O’Shea won the scratch race, receiving a great ovation from the spectators. O'Shea is at present in the Christchurch Hospital ami his many friends wish him on early and complete recovery. It is understood that Bell will also be out of action for a while.

The necessity for ambulance officials to be on hand at cycle races was made apparent at Temuka. when a visitor to the sports had to take the injured in hand. The ladies’ race, under the auspices of the Paparua Cycling Club, Islington. will bp held on Saturday after noon. Prizes to the value of £5 10s will be given and should be an inducement for a large entry. it is understood that competitors will be supplied with afternoon tea. About, sixty -entries have, been received for the Ohoka race, to be deckled on Saturday, and with O’Shea absent a good content should result between the back men for fastest time. Tt is understood that O’Shea will not be - recovered sufficiently to compete in the forty mile championship. Items of interest to cyclists will be welcomed. They should he addressed “Wheel.” care of this office.

The impudence of starlings in removing letters from rural mail boxes was the subject, of a remark at a meeting of the Waitoa Drainage Board recently. It was stated by members that these raids were more common during the mating season. Birds world actually squeeze in under the flan over the letter hole and secure the letters. On one occasion four letters were found lying on the roadside in the vicinity of a neighbour’s mail box. These depreciations were held to account for a ratepayer's complaint that .he hail received no ..rat-p Remand.