CYCLING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue V, 1 August 1903, Page 309

CYCLING.

100 MILES ROAD RACE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correfepcndent.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 27. Viewed from this end. Saturday’s ept-iing road race from Timaru to Christchuryh was a colossal absurdity. The weather was abominable. At the CUristchunak end heavy showers of rain aitd sleet fell at intervals ali day. the temperature was bitterly cold, and the roads were •teep in mud. Under these circumstances, commonsense suggested a postppneßient. The authorities, however, thought? otherwise, basing their attitude on the near a;)pronch of the Warrnambool-Melboivrne road race, and the imperative necessity for selecting a New Zealand representative as early as possHde. I’erhaps they were right. Under the conditions which prevailed. certain competitors may fairly congratulate themselves on a fine performance. Fast time was. of course, out of the question, hut if grit and staying power are the evidence of capacity in cycle road racing, then the winner and a few of his companions are cycle racers of rare ability. It was ascertained that the roads in South Canterbury wore very bad. Compel iters had to walk or run several miles, hut in spire of this, six got to the finish, covered in mud and glory, the two leaders. Barrow and J. Arnst together, with J. J. Arnst. were together for the greatest part of the distance, and with two miles to go Darrow made an effort and won by half a infante. R. Arnst caught the leaders once, but got the cramp, and had to stop. The time of the leading men was comridered wonderfully good by rhe critics. Ail three -finished well, and half an hour afterwards looked fit to ride the race over again. J. Arnst did the fastest time of’ seven hours 20m. R. Arnst covered rhe distance in seven hours 22m. and liarrow u hours 34|m. J. and R. Arnst will represent rhe colony in the Wai'ViUimboo’-te-Mei-bourne road race.