500-MILE CYCLE TOUR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 2, 4 January 1939, Page 6

500-MILE CYCLE TOUR

WANGANUI TO DUNEDIN FIERCE STORMS ENCOUNTERED TRIP COSTS ONLY FIVE POUNDS After accomplishing a 500-mile cycle tour to Dunedin, in a riding time ol seven days, Mr. H. Stewart arrived back at Wanganui on New Year’s Day. Despite the fact that he encountered eight storms and had to rica through driving rain for three days, Mr. Stewart was delighted with the tour. His bicycle tyres were worn to the thread when he arrived at Dunedin, but not one puncture was experienced throughout the whole of tha trip. Mr. Stewart left Wanganui carrying a 211 b. pack. He had an uneventful ride to Ahura, Nelson, where he join*ed two other cyclists bound for,iy Oamaru. From there on he strucK a series of fierce rainstorms. The cyclists had to wheel their machines across the Maud Creek, through flood water, waist deep, and had to seek shelter on numerous occasions in Public Works Department huts. One morning they awoke to find themselves alive witn fleas, and, needless to say, thereafter gave similar shelters a wide berth. A startling experience befell the travellers at Charleston, when, while resting on a lawn at the rear of a hotel, stray bullets from the rifle of a man shooting roosters in a neighbouring shed whistled between them. Mr. Stewart took the train through the Otira Tunnel, and made his fastest time of the tour from Methven to Oamaru, travelling the 130 miles in Id hours. Beautiful scenery and fine weather enhanced the ride to Dunedin, where he arrived last Wednesday. The tour was accomplished at a total cost of £5, including boat and train fare, Mr. Stewart celebrating the fact by selling his bicycle and giving the proceeds to charity. Noticeable features of the trip, said Mr. Stewart, were the hundreds of touring cyclists encountered en route, and the lengthening twilight as he travelled south. He had traversed miles of mountainous country, but the Paekakiriki Hill eclipsed all others.