ON THE WHEEL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 439, 22 December 1898, Page 6

ON THE WHEEL

[By

Cyclos.]

LEAGUE OF NEW ZEALAND WHEELMEN. The Governing Body of Cycling in New Zealand, AMATEUR and CASH. Federated with National Cyclists Union of England. The Leagues of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, and Western Australia. AFFILIATED CLUBS. Club. Secretary. Auckland Cycling Club G. Peace Carterton Cycling Club W. McKenzie Danevirke Cycling Club J. Holt Feilding Cycling Club M.S. Brunette Foxton Cycling Club C. T. Austin Hawera Cycling Club A. M. Conroy Huntly Cycling Club W. Ellison , Manawatu Cycling Club J. F. Manning Otaki Cycling Club A. Knocks Rangitikei Cycling Club J. Robson Wellington Cycling Club R. Hood Wanganui & W.C. Cycling Club H. R. Woon Wairarapa Cycling Club P. C. Reynolds Woodville Rovers Cycling Club H. P. Horne Weraroa Cycling Club ... ... C. Thompson New Plymouth Cycling Club ... H. H. Mace Petone-Hutt Cycling Club ... F. Packard Ariel Cycling Club J. Muller Christchurch Cycling Club ... F. D. Kesteven Hokitika Cycling Club E. J. Dorreen Denniston Cycling Club J. T. Jaspers Greymouth Cycling Club F. W. Keddell Invercargill Cycling Cash Club... W. E. Gladstone Jubilee Cycling Club ... T. G. Jamieson i Kumara Cycling Club R. Rouse Marlborough Cycling Club ... J. H. Scott North Otago Cycling Club ... J. E. Hood Reef ton Cycling Club B. P. McMahon Riverton Cycling Club D. McKenzie Seiwyn Cycling Club ;.. ... G. C. Derrott Amberley Rovers J. Blain Alexandra Cycling Club J. R. Cairns Otago Cycling Club D. Duncan Roxburgh Cycling Club W. George Vincent Cycling Club T. Beveridge 1 Invercargill A.C. & A.C E. Norton Dunedin Cycling Club A. C. McLeod Lawrence Cycling Club J. B # Rinley 1 Middlemarch Cycling Club ... J. Robertson Star Cycling Club J. W. Manchester Mataura Cycling Club T. G. Smith ' Gore Cycling Club .. G. F. Morison Westport Cycling Club J. S. Webb 1 Wyndham Cycling Club D. J. McLauhlan i Balclutha Cycling Club J. W. Mitchell Otago Railway Cycling dub ... L. Barclay 1 Stratford Cycling dub ... G. Pritchard < Wanderers Cycling dub ... W. Copeland Nelson Cycling Club ... ... N. B. Levien I Wanganui Cycling dub ... J. T. Muir ■ Thames Cycling Club ... ... A Williams ] Port Nicholson Cycling Club ... A. E. Homer Gisborne Cycling Club R. Cole Kaiapoi Cycling Club J. E. Brockelbank I Tapanui Cycling Club ... ... W Butcher .■> Pioneer Cycling Club ... R. O. Duncan Waitemata Cycling Club ... E. G. Skeates ( Oxford Cycling dub W H Alford Waihi Cycling dub E. Joll 4 Bruce Cycling Club J. McLeod r Geraldine Cycling Club ... P. Boarke Temuka Cycling Club ... ... C. A. C. Opie 1

Winton Cycling Club F, Moore Leeston Cycling Club ... , ... W. Dent F. D. KESTEVEN, Secretary. 7, Chancery Lane, Christchurch. League of New Zealand Wheelmen’s Definition AMATEUR SECTION. A League Amateur is one who is the holder, of an amateur license from the League, and who has not since November 4th, 1897 1. Engagedin, nor assisted in, nor taught any cycling exercise formoney or other remuneration. 2. Knowingly competed with or against apei’son who does not hold a license under the Amateur Definition of this League, or a person under suspension, for a i remuneration of auy description, or in any cycle contest f in public (except where permission is granted by the > Executive). 3. Made pace for, or been paced by a person > who does not hold a license under this League, or for or by a person under suspension by this League. 4. Sold, realised upon, or otherwise converted into cash any prize - won by him. 5. Accepted directly, or indirectly any ■ remuneration, compensation, or expenses whatever from 5 a cycle manufacturer, agent, sport promoter, or person interested in the trade or sport, for cycle "riding, except where special permission is granted by the Executive. CASH SECTION. '. \ - Any member of the League outside the Amateur Section is eligible to hold a Cash license, which is forfeited by—l. Competing aglinst any person who does hot hold a license under the Cash Section of this League, or against a person under suspension, or at an unauthorised meeting, except where permission is granted by the Executive. 2. Making pace for, or being paced by, a person who does not hold a license under this League, or for or by a person under suspension. 3. Racing for a bet, stake, or gate money, without permission of the Executive. ———————— ■ \ The New Zealand Cyclists’ Alliance was, according to report, disbanded on the casting vote of a chairman who occupied the unique position of delegate for and against the disbandment. No one will envy Mr Haswell—that is, I believe, the gentleman’s name—his position. The Auckland Cycling Club holds a meeting under the auspices of the Auckland Industrial Exhibition, next Tuesday evening, when a programme of six bicycle events, including a pursuit race, will be run off. The handicaps for the N.Z. Wheel Race caused some astonishment among riders and others in these parts wheii it was found that Teddy Reynolds had been given a start from A. R. Barker, who, it will be remembered, has been beaten by the Aucklander again and again. The committee appointed by the N.Zj A.A.A. has drawn up a report on the question of cycling in connection with amateur running,, but the results of its labors will not be made known until the next meeting of the executive of the amateur governing body. Subject to the approval of the Auckland Exhibition, the A.A.A. and C.C. will run a twenty-mile scratch race on the Exhibition banked track. The suggestion that such an event should be provided comes from Mr S. Thorne George, one of the club’s vice-presidents. The Waikato rider, Innis, who has been in town for some weeks, intends settling here if he can find employment. , The Auckland Cycling Club will in all probability hold a carnival somewhere about the end of January or early in February, when it is proposed to put on amateur races under League rules. While the cash body has not succeeded in gaining a single rider from the ranks of the A A. A. and C.C., they should find no difficulty in getting together a few riders, as the League has recently adopted a resolution providing for the reinstatement of professionals who have stood down for twelve months. This system of “ manufacturing ” amateurs, or rather, I should say, “ shamateurs,” is hardly likely to popularise the governing body in the eyes of lovers of true amateurism ; more particularly after their alleged desire to purify the ranks of amateur cycling. W. Martin, more popularly known as “ Plugger Bill,” is coming back to Australia again. There is a likelihood of a team of Australian riders visiting New Zealand in February next (says a Melbourne paper). The New Zealand clubs are very anxious that a first-class team of racing men, including Walne, should go across for a racing trip through the Island, and with this object in view several clubs have already guaranteed £l5O towards paying the. expenses of the tour. The brightest feature of the St. Hilda Carnival (Melbourne) was the fine exhibition of riding given by R. W. Walne (on Dunlops), the Australian champion accounting for the Three Mile Paced Tournament and the Ten mile International scratch race.

Probably the greatest match of the year has just taken place in Paris. Champion and Bonhours, the middle distance champions of France, met Tom /• Linton and F. C. Armstrong, representing England. The contest, which was over 50 kilometres, took place on the Parc des Princes track, and it had been arranged that the victory for either side should be according to the positions at the finish. In the event of points being equal the rider who first crossed the tape was to give victory to his side. The four riders appeared on the track all paced by electric tandems, in respect to which each was equally well served. At the pistol all got away to a capital start, Champion as usual cutting out the pace at a fast , rate, but he was soon passed by Armstrong and Linton. In the fourth kilometre Armstrong’s tandem stopped dead, and Linton’s shortly afterwards followed suit, the result being that the English representatives were left without pace. Armstrong got a fresh tandem, and went in pursuit of the Frenchmen, while Linton was left temporarily out in the cold. Champion led at the eleventh kilometre. Armstrong at last got behind a fast tan- ’ dem, and gave the spectators a taste of his ability. He speedily overtook Bonhours, and went in pursuit of Champion, whom he passed at a terriffic rate of speed. Linton, in the meantime, was hanging out signs of distress, and he was lapped by Bonhours. In the twentieth kilometre Armstrong was leading by 400 yards. Linton now began to ride better, and in the fortieth kilometre he left Champion and caught Bonhours, whom he passed. Linton made a game effort to catch Armstrong, who was several laps ahead, but the latter answered sprint with sprint. Armstrong won by two laps in the splendid time of 58min 42 2-5 sec, Tom Linton second, Bonhours third a lap behind Linton, and Champion a lap behind Bonhours last. The English representatives therefore won very decisively. Armstrong’s time is a French record. It is very easy to know if any ride has overtaxed the strength and caused overfatigue, says the famous cycling physician, Dr. E. B. Turner: Under such circumstances the rider will be unable to eat, he will be hot, thirsty, restless, and feverish at night, and quite unable to sleep, and the next day will suffer from lassitude and a distinct disinclination for any form of exertion. If rest be taken, these symptoms of “fatigue fever” will rapidly subside; •’ but if they be disregarded, and the offence repeated, nature will step in to exact the penalty due to her outraged laws.

The science of correct ankle action is not always an easy one for the novice to learn. They don’t seem to understand this new application of the ankle, and sometimes in the attempt to obey the directions of their tutor will slip the pedal until brought up sharply by the heel. The simplest explanation of the movement we ever heard given by an instructor was : “ Fancy you are turning a handle with your foot,” and when one comes to analyse the words they will be found to contain a wealth of meaning. Everyone knows how the wrists adapt themselves to the turning of a handle, and when the cycling novice has this basis on which to work he soon learns to use his ankles with the greatest effect.

There is a liklihood of A. MacDonald of transcontinental fame, making an attempt to reduce W. Kux’s Adelaide to Melbourne record of 545 miles in 51 hours 48 minutes at an early date, as MacDonald is very confident, that with fair weather and pacing, he can lower the existing records. The last man to attempt this ride, was the crack N.S.W. road rider, W. S. McOombe, but he failed, through meeting wet weather most of the way.

An amusing story is going the rounds anent one of Melbourne’s big cycle manufacturers. Mr A. Robb, was recently had up before the Melbourne Court for riding with his hands off, and after a deal of evidence on both sides, was mulcted in a small fine. A week later Mr Robb attended the Mayor’s dinner, and received a bit of ,a shock when placed beside and introduced to the identical Magistrate who had, a few days previously, fined him for riding hands off. Mr Robb then tackled the on an equal footing, and so convinced his antagonist that he ended up victoriously by selling him one his firm’s machines, which Mr Robb had contended in Court, ran as easily and steadily with the hands off as on. Mr Robb has now gone a step further; he has appeared, with success, to the Chief Justice and obtained an order nisi to review the Magistrate’s decision, so that, up to the present, the honors are with the cyclist. Lilian Russell, the celebrated actress, is said to own the most valuable and beautifully decorated drop-frame machine ever manufactured. The frame is of gold and silver, thickly set with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. Mrs Langtry has a wheel of solid silver, a prize that she values most highly, although it is of very little use as a riding machine. A tandem worth £2500 is something of a novelty, yet ago.

Gold, silver, and gems covered every visible part of the machine, while on the tubing were painted beautiful pictures of outdoor scenes and animal life.* Though the money value of these cycles is immense, yet a practical cycliste would value far more a well-built cycle that may be used at leisure, not fearing the least contact with dust or mud, or “ inquisitive gentry.” The performances of Forbes, the speedy New Zealander, in Melbourne since the recent League meeting in Sydney stamp him as being one of the most consistent riders on Australian tracks at present (states the Sydney Evening News}. Forbes beat all comers a few days ago in a 25 miles scratch race on the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and gave such a splendid exhibition of pace and judgment that local critics had no hesitation in speaking of him as the best man on the ground. He defeated Parsons, the Victorian champion pace follower, when everyone thought that popular rider was going to score an easy victory. The New Zealand champion is a dangerous man always, but especially so over a long distance. He can set a terriffic pace, and then sprint like a demon at the finish. In the scratch race alluded to the pace was jerky and broken, being exceptionally fast in patches. This broke Parsons up, though the brilliant Victorian made an excellent show in the running. When it came to the final sprint, however, none of the field could hold Forbes, who won easily. This splendid achievement by the New Zealander makes Megson’s recent riding seem all the finer. On Forbes’ Melbourne showing he is certainly the crack Australian stayer at present, and he will return to Sydney to tace at the forthcoming electric light meetings on December 23 and 28 with his reputation enhanced, and more anxious than ever to lower Megson’s colors. It will be remembered that after Megson defeated him in their' match in Sydney a few weeks ago Forbes expressed himself as being confident that he could reverse the decision if the race were ridden over again, and he wished for another meeting. Megson, on the other hand, was just as confident that he could beat Forbes every day in the week. As the Sydney sprinter is just now in splendid form it is probable that some sensational racing will be seen at the coming evening, meetings. THE N.Z. WHEEL RACE MEETING. [By our Canterbury Cokrespon.dent.] The Great New Zealand Wheel Race Meeting, promoted annually by the Christchurch Cycling Club, was held on Friday and Saturday, of 4ast

week. Thia race is now the largest held in N.Z; and attracts riders from almost .every centre in the colony. On the first day the attendance numbered over four thousand, and fine weather revailed, but a strong nor’-wester interfered with times. The following are the results:— One Mile Maiden—JO. T. Scrimsher, 50yds, 1; H. Smith, 40yds, 2; V. Ritchie, 50yds, 3. Time 2min 18 2 ssec. Dash Handicap. One lap.—First heat: J. Hanley (Dunedin), 35yds, 1. Time, 45 l-sseo. Second heat: W. Robertson (Christchurch), 40 yds, 1; A. Jones (Auckland), 15yds, 2. Time, 45 3-ssec. Third heat: A. C. Middleton (Melbourne), scr ,1. Time, 46 2-ssec. Fourth heat; T. McNaught (Timaru), 40yds, 1. Time, 47eec. Final heat: A. Jones (Auckland), 1; T. McNaught, 2; Robertson, 3. Won after a magnificent sprint by inches only. Time, 45sec. One Mile Amateur.—R. Bassett (Christchurch), scr., 1; ,T. Oates, 50yds, 2. Won by 30yds. . Time, 2min 29 3-ssec. N.Z. Wheel Race Handicap, two miles. First prize £4O, second prize £2O, third prize£lo, fourth pr ze £5. —First heat: C. C. Derrett (Hororata), 180yds, 1; R. Henry (Christchurch), 70yds, 2 ; A. Huston (Ashburton), 220yds, 3 ; A. Jones (Auckland), 80yds, 4. Won by twenty yards. Time, 4min 37 l-ssec. Second heat: H. Holland (Ashburton), 180yds, 1; E. A. Wall (Christchurch), 40yds, 2; A. C. Middleton (Melbourne), 20yds, 3; G. Sutherland (Christchurch), scr., 4. Won by ten yards. Time, 4min 31 4-ssec. Third heat: A. Holmes (Christchurch), 100yds, 1; A. R. Barker (Christchurch), scr., 2 ; D. J. Plunkett (Wellington),-60yds, 3 • R. J. Cook (Christchurch), 100yds, 4. Won by a length. Time, 4min 39 4-ssec. Final heat t H. Holland, 180yds, 1 ; A. Barker, scr., 2; G. Sutherland, scr., 3 ; E. Wall, 40yds,. 4. Time, 4min 36sec. Cyclist Challenge Shield Scratch Race. Two miles. —G. Sutherland, 1; A. R. Barker, 2-j - A. Ralston, 3. Other starters—D. J. Plunkett, A. C. Middleton, N. Ralston, W. Stackwood, W. Bennett, R. Hendry, R. Cook. Won by a wheel, others close up. Time, 4min 54 l-ssec. Flying Stakes. Half mile. —First heat: K. Rodger, 40yds, 1. Time, Imin 13-sseo. Second heat: Barker, scr, 1. Time Imin 3 1 saec. Third heat: C. Jones, 50yds, 1. Time, Imin 3 l-ssec. Fourth heat: G. Sutherland, scr., 1. Time, Imin ssec. Final heat: Sutherland, 1; Clarkson 2; Ferris (Oamaru), 40yds, 3. Won on thetape. Time, Imin 3 3- f see. Multicycle Handicap. Two miles. —G. Henwood, Scrimshaw, Lewis, Wearne (quad), 250yds, 1 ; H. Ritchie and V. Ritchie (tandem), 200yds, 2; A. Holmes and K. Rodger (tandem), 100yds, 3. Splendid race. Won by a length. Time, 4min 12sec. The attendance on Saturday was only fair. The racing was again excellent, except in tbe big race which was won by Holland, of Ashburton, in an. easy manner. He set out at a fast pace from thestart. As the scratch men refused to pace one another, they could never get near Holland, who won by a dozen lengths. Anniversary Handicap. One mile—First; heat : C. O. Willis, 110yds, 1. Time, 2min 12sec. Second heat: A. W. Humphreys, 45yds, 1. 2min 12 2-ssec ; third heat: J. Stanton, 80yds, 1 Time, 2min 13sec. Fourth heat :W. Clarkson, 80yds, 1. 1 ime, 2min 12 4-ssec. Final heat: Humphreys (Wellington), 1 ; Clarkson (Christchurch), 2. H. Gunthorpe (Dunedin), 85yds, 3. Won by two lengths. Time, 2min 9eec.

Multicycle Handicap, two miles.—Henwood, Lewis, Robertson, and Wearne (quad), 230yds, 1; Middleton and A. Ralston (tandem), scr, 2. Won easily. 'l'ime, 4min 11 3 ssec. Flutter Handicap, one lap.—A. N. Jones, Syds 1 • W. Robertson, 40yds, 2 ; J. Hanley, 35yds, 3.’ Won by two lengths Time, 46sec. One-mile Amateur Handicap.—K. Bassett, scr, 1 ; T. Oates, 80yds, 2. Won by a wheel. Time, 2min 23sec. Five-mile Championship op Canterbury (paced).—G. Sutherland and A. R. Barker, deadheat; R. J. Cook, 3. Other starters—A. Rahton, D. J. Plunkett, A. C. Middleton, A. Calder, A. W. Humphries, and J. W. Jones. After three miles had been covered the three placed riders were the only ones in the race, the pace having been too fast for the others. Time, 12min 24sec. Sutherland, thinking he had won, was very anxious to run off, but Barker declined, and forfeited the gold medal which went with the Consolation, one mile —W. Hall (Titnaru), 3yds, 1. Time, 2min llsec. ■ The riding of A. Jones, champion of Honolulu, in the short distance races was the best seen ih Christchurch. He is a beautiful pedaller, and when he strikes form and gets used to the track he will Cut out faster times. W. Tierney rode without success.