MOTOR – CYCLING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19070, 15 May 1930, Page 14

MOTOR - CYCLING

"MAGNETO ”

I 1 - - BY

May 18—Acceleration race. Ashburton Club. May 25—Midwinter Trial, Pioneer Club June B—Paperchase, Ashburton Club.

YOUTHFUL RIDERS. Pioneer President Criticised. The legislation recently introducer into England prohibiting boys undei the age of sixteen to ride motor-cycle* has been exercising the minds oJ motoring authorities here. A correspodent, “Pioneer,” writes as follows: “The other day T read a state ment reputed to have been made by Mr R. 11. Parker, president of the Pion eer Club's motor section, that youths between the ages of eighteen and twen ty gave the most trcfable in respecl to the driving of motor-cycles. He alsc said that they were difficult to handle in club competitions. 1 have attendee every beach race, track race, hurl}’ burly Scott scramble, and trial thai has been held within the last three seasons, and on very few occasions have the riders given any trouble withir my knowledge. This is borne out by the experience of the club captain Mr T. R. M'Cleary, who drew my at tcnt.ion to an incident which arose al the hurly-burly staged at Coutt': Island. The competitors, with a few exceptions, were between the ages oi eighteen and twenty, and a certain traf tie inspector remarked about t«he de gree of skill these young riders hac obtained. Mr Parker's wide experience of the sport gives him the air of ar authority’, but he is wide of the marl when he condemns the young men ol the latter ’teens, from whose rank: the majority’ of motor-cyclists spring as being 'know-alls.’ risky’ riders, anc what-not. As president of the club he should know that insofar as our mem bers ar*» concerned, very’ little trouble is experienced, and I, personally’, have heard Mr Parker say so.” :: :: THE MIDWINTER TRIAL. A Beautiful and Interesting Course. On Sunday’ week, the Pioneer Sport: Club will hold its Midwinter Trial ovei a Bank’s Peninsula course. A party o; club members, including “Magneto/ looked the course over, last week-end and, summing it up, one can only come to one conclusion, that the course i: splendid. I think Mr G. Henderson car take a small slice of credit for this :ourse, since he suggested parts of it However, the energetic sub-commit tee, who have had this matter in hand are to be complimented on their gooc work. Scenic Beauty. Although the competitors will be toe busily engaged to appreciate all of th: scenery, they will see enough to make them realise that the Peninsula ha: many charms. The section from Christchurch tc Purau is fairly well-known, and witi the exception of the stretch from here to the Kiwi, the road is excellent. The

road from Purau. cross-country tc i Port Levy, is little better than a j track, and second gear at least will |be necessary’ for the majority of the I journey. The road is not devoid of interest, as excellent views of the surrounding country can be - obtained, j Descending into Port Levy, competi--1 tors should take a little care, as there ;is a particularly bad corner. Look out for the road bearing to the left; it is sign-posted “To Little River.” Following this the road continues good for some distance, then a fork in the road is reached. Take the one ascending. Here the rough stuff starts. The scenery on this track is very pretty-. Dainty’ little waterfalls and a sprinkling of native bush make the trip rather delightful. However, besides eulogising the scenery, I must give something about how this hill “should ba taken. My advice is, “when reaching the fork, get down into bottom gear, and stay there.” The track is rough, no one denies that, but it is not insurmountable. You are not likely to bash your crankcase or injure yourselves in anyway’’ This western valley is supposed to be the star turn of the trial—it's rough! it’s tough, but it is reasonable. At the summit a splendid view of the valley in which Little River is situated can be seen. The road descends in much the same way’ as the other, and second gear should be used as a steadier. A brake test will be held here, and by this time the rider will have become so used to his brakes that such a test will be but second nature.

At Little River the competitors, by’ the grace of the officials, will be allowed to eat. After that they will be hustled along the main road to Akaroa until the cattle track is reached. This cattle track starts just the other side of the place where the main road enters the hills. Follow the road on the level and you can’t miss it. I cannot give you much personal information about the cattle track, as I have not traversed it. However, it is reported to be in much the same condition as the Western Valley section. Following this track the Akaroa Summit Road is reached. This road is followed for some distance until a gate is reached and a road marked “To Pigeon Bay”. Get down into bottom gear for this descent; it is very’ steep. From Pigeon Bay’ to Port Levy’ the road is’ good. From then on the road has been described. Don’t Be Disheartened. A certain section of the club members not qualified to judge are endeavouring to dissuade members from competing in this trial. Now I know of at least eleven men who have been round thi* course during the past fortnight, and, as far as I can ascertain, not one damaged anything through a fault of the course, and not one was “stuck up”. W. H. Jones even drove a side-car outfit up Western Valley*. Noxj,* if someone tells you not to compete, don’t turn it down. “Give it a go.” For a long time the Pioneer Club has been endeavouring to select a course which, on its merits, will find an ultimate winner. It looks as if the club has succeeded. Th© Rout© Laid.

The following is a guide to the course: Club house to Teddington Hotel, via Dyer’s Pass and Governor’s Bay. From Teddington continue through Diamond Harbour to Purau School; turn to right and continue over hijl into Port Levy. Check will be at Church about 100 .y’ards from foot of hill. After leaving Port Levy take grass road to right about three miles from check and continue over into Western Valley, where Brake Test will be held and stop for lunch. From Little River Garage take coach road to foot of Cattle Track (further up valley past main road to Akaroa) and from there up track to Summit Road, thence to Pigeon Bay gate (on Summit Road). After passing through gate, take main road to Pigeon Bay, turn to left at Creamery and follow main road to Port Levy church. From Port Levy return same route as outward, turning to right at foot of Dyer’s Pass Road, and checking in about 200 yards around corner. The time-table is as follows;

Club house 9.15 a.m., arrive Teddington, 13 miles, 10 a.m. (22 m.p.h.) ; depart 10.15; arrive Port Levy, 13i miles, 11.7 (21 m.p.h.); depart 11.15; arrive foot Western Valley, 9 miles, 11.48 (16i m.p.h.), stop for dinner; depart 2 p.m.; arrive Pigeon Bay’, nine miles, 2.25 p.m. (21 m.p.h.); no stop here; arrive Port Levy, 12 miles, 3 p.m. (21 m.p.h.); depart 3.15 p.m.; arrive Teddington, 134 miles, 4.7 (21 m.p.h.) ; depart 4.20 p.m.; arrive at club house, 13 miles, 4.55 p.m. (22 m.p.h.). Competitors must be on the mark at 8.45 a.m. Entries for the event, which is open to all members of clubs affiliated with the 5.1.M.U., close on Monday, May 19, at ,9 p.m. Notes. A meeting of the Pioneer Club committee will be held on Monday next to consider the mid-winter trial and finalise the conditions. :-j The course selected for the Midwintei trial to be held on Sunday’ week promises to provide everything needed to fill the wants of the adventurous motorcyclist. Those who want rough country will get it, but it will not be too rough. The scenery throughout the trip is very pretty*, especially through the Western Valley. It has now been decided to include the cattle track to hill-top in the course. Providing it does not rain the course will be in excellent order. :: The marriage of C. J. P. Dodson, Britain’s champion rider, to Miss Sorenson took place at Douglas,. Isle of Man, on Monday, March 3.