ON THE WHEEL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 442, 12 January 1899, 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 Kumara Cycling Club R. Rouse Marlborough Cycling Club ... J. H. Scott North Otago Cycling Club ... J. E. Hood Reefton Cycling Club ... ... B. P. McMahon Riverton Cycling Club D. McKenzie Selwyn 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 Invercargill A.C. & A.C.... ... E. Norton Dunedin Cycling Club ... ... A. C. McLeod Lawrence Cycling Club J. B. Rinley Middlemarch Cycling Club ... J. Robertson Star Cycling Club .. ... ... J. W. Manchester Mataura Cycling Club ... ... T. G. Smith Gore Cycling Club G. F. Moriton Westport Cycling Club ... ... J. S. Webb Wyndham Cycling Club ... ... D. J. McLauhlan Balclutha Cycling Club J. W. Mitchell Otago Rai’way Cycling Club ... L. Barclay Stratford Cycling Club .. G. Pritchard Wanderers Cycling Club ... W. Copeland Nelson Cycling Club ... N. B. Levien Wanganui Cycling Club ... 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 Tapanui Cycling Club W Butcher Pioneer Cycling Club ... .. R. O. Duncan Waitemata Cycling Club ... E. G. Skeates Oxford Cycling Club ... ... W H Alford Waihi Cycling Club E. Joll Bruce Cycling Club ... ... J. McLeod Geraldine Cycling Club ... P. Boarke Temuka Cycling Club C. A I‘. Opie 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 : —l. Engaged in, nor assisted in, nor taught any cycling exercise for money or other remuneration. 2. Knowingly competed with or against a person who does not hold a license under the Amateur Definition of this League, or a person under suspension, for a remuneration of auy description, or in any cycle contest 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 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 not 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.

On October 5 E. Gould, the 100 miles record holder (world’s), rode unpaced from York to London, a distance of 198 miles, in the excellent time of 12hrs 28min, thus establishing an unpaced record for the distance. His score for 12 hours was 191 miles, which is four miles better than the previous best. A few days later W. J. Offen, holder of the mile (standing start) amateur unpaced record of 2min 9 l-ssec, succeeded in placing the flying mile unpaced record to his credit, he covering the distance in 2min 5 4-ssec. The Austrian War Office has decided to introduce motor gun carriages into the Austrian army. Several trials of a successful nature have taken place, in which motor transport waggons worked perfectly, and particularly noticeable was the ease with which steep hills were negotiated, even when carrying excessive loads. Field artillery has also been carried most satisfactorily on the motor gun carriages. From all appearances, there will be a great run on motor cars of all descriptions next season, by which time many of the cars now on the English market will have been considerably improved in detail. A series of matches between R. Mutton, of Sydney, and Texas Jack, an American cowboy, have been arranged in Melbourne, over distances one, two, and five miles. The cowboy will have fresh horses every half mile, whereas the cyclist will make his own pace. The latest attraction at the Royal Aquarium, London, is the reappearance of Minting, the cyclist, who appeared at that house in 1889 and 1892. Perhaps the best trick he now performs is a ride on a unicycle up a spiral 150 ft high, then across a bridge 170 ft Jong Ift wide, and down another spiral, similar to the first, on to the stage. The size of the unicycle wheel on which this feat is performed is 38in. The total length of track covered is said to be about 1000 ft. The costliest bicycle in the world was that recently turned out by a well-known gun factory in Vienna, and was a conspicuous figure in the last Vienna Exposition, being viewed by thousands of interested cyclists and visitors. The frame alone costs 1800 gulden, and its total value is put down at 500,000 gulden, or a little more than £55,000. It was purchased by a rich South African diamond king and mine owner, who had it inlaid with precious stones and diamonds on every possible part, and who will present it to his wife on her next birthday. “ Prodigal,” of the Sydney holds the same opinion as that of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club, viz., that theN.Z. Cyclists’ Alliance is not disbanded. In writing to again point out that their standard pattern crank for the present year for men’s machines has been 7|in, a well-known English firm of makers emphasise the opinion that it is necessary when using the long cranks to strengthen the rear part of the frame. Finnegan, the Austral winner, dates his cycling from the age of 12. ’ As Searle, the champion rowing man, used to’scull as a boy, so used Finnegan to pedal from his father’s farm to Gisborne township on old wooden bone-shaker. When this broke up he bought an ordinary, and kept to that until he started on an up-to-date Massey-Harris. American wheelwomen wear their sk.rts much shorter than English women, and English people object strongly to the fashion. About a year ago Mrs Kilpatrick, the wife of the American trick rider, was almost mobbed in the streets of London because her skirts did not reach below her shoe tops. Not long ago two women riding in Wales had a similar experience, and had to take refuge over night in a shop until they could receive skirts of the proper length?

The world’s championships for 1899 have been awarded to Canada, and will be entrusted to the Canadian Wheelmen s Association, and the meeting will be held in Montreal. Montreal is an exceedingly fine city, most picturesquely situated upon an island in the River St. Lawrence. Its population, according to a recent census, numbers, with suburbs included, not far from 400,000. The track on, which the championships will be run is one of the best in the world. It is known as the Queen’s Park track, and is built alongside the St. Lawrence river. It was finished on June 1 last, and cost £6OOO to build, including stands and training quarters. It is three laps to the mile, 29ft wide, banked to the approved scale, and is surfaced with dressed maple scantlings, laid end on. The grandstand accommodation is on a most lavish scale. In the reserve stand alone there are individual seats for eight hundred spectators.

Dr E. B Turner, the well-known English cycling authority, gives it as his opinion that a great many ladies do themselves considerable harm not only by over-riding, but by over-reaching, that is, riding with too long a reach. One has only to watch the numerous lady cyclists seen riding now-a-days, and one cannot help observing that three-quarters of the lady cyclists ride “ too long,” thus doing themselves injury, besides making the work of propelling the machine a long way harder, especially when riding up hill or against the wind. No lady cyclist should ride a machine upon which she cannot comfortably place her heel on the centre of the pedal when the pedal is nearest to the ground. This advice also applies to the sterner sex.

The cable notifies the return of Alf. Body from London, and it is a matter for regret on this side of the world (says a Melbourne writer) that his trip was not more successful. Though of English birth and New Zealand upbringing, Body has been among us so long, and has ridden so well and so straight, as to popularise him on all sides, and though he has not scored a single success on the cycle path, it is to be trusted that he has made stacks of cash out of his invention Of course, it is very likely that the torpedo boat venture occupied so much of Body’s time in London that he could not train properly, for it seems extraordinary that he could not give a better account of himself. The best of the English cracks who have been here were none of them the master of the Flying Duxman.

A great race took place in November between A. E. Walters and F. Armstrong, of England, and Bouhours, Bourette, and Simart, of France. The race was over fifty miles, and was decided in Paris. Walters, Armstrong, and Bouhours had two petroleum tandems each to pace them, while the other two competitors had one. There was a perfect gale during the progress of the race. The race was won by Walters, who covered the fifty miles in Ihr 36min 39 l-ssee, a remarkable performance under the circumstances. Bouhours was second, Simart third, and Bourette fourth. Armstrong made the pace so hot for the first half of the race that he subsequently went all to pieces and retired.

A somewhat novel method of getting a machine “ on the cheap ” has been practised at the expense of a Berlin cyclist. The latter stopped to buy a cigar, and, like so many others, stood his machine by the kerb. While he was in the shop a second rider dismounted and ranged his mount alongside the first. He also entered the shop, and was in the act of lighting a cigar, when a passing pedestrian jumped on the second machine and rode off at full speed. The ostensible loser shouted “ Stop thief 1 ” and then, seeing the machine of the gentleman who had first stopped still by the kerb, asked for the loan of it that he might attempt to overtake the thief. The owner unsuspectingly consented, and the man was soon in hot pursuit. He has not yet returned, and the police are looking out for him.

The Dunedin Wheel Race, to be run at the Caledonian Ground on February 11 next, carries with it prize money to the value of £6l, made up as follows : — First prize £4O, second £l5, third £5, and fourth £l. Nominations for the event are due on Monday, January 30 ; handicaps will be declared on Friday, February 3 ; and acceptances fall due on Monday, February 6.

There is a likelihood of a crack American pacing team visiting England next season, with the intention of matching some of the American fliers with the English crack pace followers. Should the present intention be carried out, the result would be some of the finest paced matches yet seen on the cycle track. As usual, the story comes from America. Two. Chicago gentlemen played a game of billiards whilst mounted on bicycles. It is stated that the stakes were £5OO a side, and the rules expressly forbid either player to rest his machine against anything whilst making his stroke. The cues were double the length of ordinary cues. Naturally both men were expert cyclists, as they had to steady the machine and make a shot, and then move on. The biggest break was six, but one of the players was unfortunate enough to get his cue mixed up in the spokes, which caused him to fall heavily against the table, and he broke his arm. This misfortunate allowed his opponent to win easily.