’CYCLING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XXIII, 3 December 1898, Page 720

’CYCLING.

The Exhibition sports meeting held in Auckland on Wednesday of last week was not, I fancy, altogether the success which the promoters had hoped it would be. The attendance in the afternoon was very poor, and though a fairly large crowd assembled in the evening, the proceeds will not leave a very large credit balance after all expenses are cleared, '.'he attendance at night may be considered very satisfactory, and 1 think on the whole the spectators were satisfied with the lighting and the racing. Luckily, most of the cyclists wore very bright colours, and so could be easily distinguished; it was more difficult, however, to recognise those whose costumes were of darker hue.

Some real good finishes were provided in the cycle races, and Mr W. B. Eyre must be complimented on the success which in most instances attended his handicapping. G. Hyauiason showed a surprisingly good turn of speed. The way in which he left Dexter and Jones in the final of the. one mile first-class evoked enthusiasm, and he was deservedly cheered for his brilliant riding. In addition to winning this event. Hyauiason carried off the Exhibition Handicap 2 miles), and finished second in the half mile. A.N. Jones, from Honolulu, was placed in two events, but failed to score a win, and Tierney, the Auckland Cycling (Tub’s champion, rode without success. The milerace for second-class riders resulted in a good finish between H. Miller and G. C. Parker, both on the 50 yards mark. Eight were allowed to start in the final of this heat, on a track where not more than half-a-dozen can ride with safety when 'bunched.' The result was that Chainey's wheel touched someone rise’s, and ne was upset, bringing W. Marshall down with him. Luckily neither were hurt badily. though the machines suffered. E. Reynolds' exhibition ride was spoiled by the pacing, which was far too slow. He eould have knocked seconds off the time (linin lOsec) had he been extended.

If you want to try a new saddle that is noiseless and elastic try Brampton Brothers' ‘Multispiral.’ It has twenty-one very light coil springs on a light steel frame. The tops of the springs are riveted to a piece of leather above which is a thick felt covering, over which the leather seat is fixed. Sensitive riders should appreciate the absence of a hard back plate and peak and the ‘give’ and flexibility of the Multispiral. Another neat contrivance is the combined buckthorn knife and tyre lever of the Coventry Cross Company which is cheap and strong, and enables you to whip the edge of the cover round the rim without any danger to thumb nails. The contest over universal lighting after dark still continues in the English provincial county councils. At a recent meeting of the Holland County Council a Mr White remarked that if cyclists were afraid of vehicles they should stay at home and if any bylaw were needed he should move that no cyclist should ride betwen sunset and sunrise. The motion for universal lighting up was rejected on this sort of argument. The amazing feature of the struggle for light is that those in authority should not realise the necessity for all vehicles

to carry lights for their own protection, quite independent of cyclists. Vans and buses rumble along unlit in London in a style worthy of the dark middle ages. An amusing instance of inconsistency was quoted recently at Beading by a championship umpire. He was riding at night and nearly ran into a covered cart ahead of him. Though wrapped in gloom it was covered with texts, the most prominent being ‘Let your light shine before men.’

The new wheel woman has been much before the public lately. At a meeting of the Holborn Boaxd of Guardians, a letter was read inquiring as to the character of an assistant laundrymaid in their employ who was seeking another appointment. A member observed that he was afraid the lady in question was more in touch with the bicycle and the piano than with the prosaic life of a workhouse laundry. Spoken to with reference to her work, the lady herself answered: ‘1 could not do that for the life of me. 1 was out all yesterday on my bicycle and am too stiff for that to-day.’ A comparison between The Grafter’s time in this year’s Melbourne Cup and that of the winner of last year’s Austral Wheel Race (two miles) affords interesting reading. The Grafter’s time was 3min 29 3-ssec, as against .1. Carpenter’s 4min 40 l-3sec last year, both performances being ridden on the turf. Although the Austral Wheel time was over a minute slower .han that of the Cup. the difference is largely accounted for by the fact that the competitors in the Austral Wheel Race are at a great disadvantage owing to the slowness of the Melbourne Cricket Ground track. The Australian cycle record for two miles is T. Relph's 3min 38 l-ssec, or nearly lOsec slower than the Cup time, whilst the world’s record is held by M’Duffie (America) in 3min 27sec, or Isec faster than the great Flemington event has ever been ridden. It is thus seen that whilst the Cup times beat the Australian cyclists’ times, the record for two miles on the wheel beats the equine record over the same distance by Isec. A few weeks back a well known Melbourne cyclist was proceeded against for riding his machine through the streets ’hands off.’ and. despite the defence that he could steer the machine as well with his feet as his hands, he was fined. He has now applied for and obtained from thu Chief Justice an order nisi to review the magistrate’s decision, on the ground that there was no evidence of negligence. ‘I smoke myself during training, but in a reduced measure. I don't think that it has any great influence, unless for the worse if overdone. Still, I should say . -at no harm can be done by discontinuing the practice, and some good may accrue.' —Stocks, on training.