ON THE WHEEL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 471, 3 August 1899, Page 4

ON THE WHEEL

I By

Cyclos.

I notice that the League’s organ has devoted no less than three columns to a criticism of some of my paragraphs relating to the position of the Cyclists’ Alliance. It seems rather strange that the editor of jfAe Cyclist, who, I am informed, is also chairman of the League’s executive, is the only newspaper critic in New Zealand who attempts to question the accuracy of my stateinents concerning the Alliance. I have just ascertained that the chairman of the cash cycling body and the editor of The Cyclist are one and the same person; hence my decision not to take any notice whoever of his latest attempt to bolster up the League at the expense of the Cyclists’ Alliance. The Melbourne Bicycle Club committee is now arranging its programme for this year’s Austral meeting, and it is understood that the prize money for the great two-mile race will be substantially increased. It is proposed to include a big scratch contest, to be run over three oi four distances, to be decided by points, and limited to 15 or 20 riders—the cream of the cycle-racing talent of Australia. The innovation should be a good one. Limiting the number of riders will lessen the chance of accidents from overcrowded fields, and keep out unqualified riders, who more often than otherwise help to spoil a good finish in scratch races As the public will have plenty of handicap races in the Austral, M.B.C. Plate, and Victorian Mile, the first day might safely be reserved for scratch events only. This plan will also enable scratch riders—who invariably improve a handicap race —to start in the big handicaps as well. Daytons have been very successful in Queensland lately. The following is the score up to the 29th June : First, second, and third in ten-mile scratch ; first and. second in five-mile scratch; first and second half-mile open; first, two-mile handicap; first and second pursuit race. Bill Martin also put up a three-mile record on his Dayton. The superiority of the Dayton track racer is now universally recognised, having been completely d pm on strated by its thousands of victories in all parts of the world. Dayton speed is attributable to correctness of design, strength and rigidity of frame, perfection of bearings, extreme care, in inspection and faultless construction throughout. No words can condemn too strongly the folly of attempting to ride through traffic before thorough experience has been gained. An inexperienced rider attempting to ride through crowded streets is not only a danger to himself, but to all who may be near. The question as to whether it is a wise plan to offer bicycles as prizes for road competitions in connection with amateur road and track events is worth more than a passing consideration (says the Australian Cyclist). The custom, which took root years ago in N.S.W., has never’ been countenanced in England, although the ruling amateur body there—the National Cyclists’ Union—have never actually prohibited it, but they have a rule which practically has the same effect. The rule prohibits the offer for competition in any race held under its rules of a prize valued

at more than ten guineas, challenge cups only excepted; consequently, if a bicycle were offered its value would have to be stated at £lO, hence the value of the advertisement would have been nullified when it so happened that the list price of the machine was anything from £2O to £3O. It is also contended that bicycle® are not trophies. A trophy is intended to be a lasting souvenir. For this reason a racing man cannot, by the rules of the Union, purchase clothing, or provisions, with any open orders won by him. He must obtain something which can be engraved upon. A bicycle complies with, this condition, but is it lasting ? When its period of usefulness to its owner i® completed he must either put it away in an outhouse as so much useless lumber, or give it away to the dustman. He cannot sell it, because in doing so he would lose his amateur status. Again, most good riders are encouraged to ride a particular make of machine, and even if ho should win another having a differerent name-plate, he rarely changes his mount. What, then, becomes of these first prize bicycles won by reputed amateurs ? Under such conditions as these the temptation to sell a bicycle, either when it i® new or second-hand, is very strong, and we hardly think such a temptation should be put in the way of racing men. We can well understand any mortal being wishing to get rid—even by perhaps surreptitous means—of a piece of property he has no need for; but that is not the sort of amateurism which the Cyclist® Union is supposed to safeguard and uphold. Walters’ performance, viewed as a practical test of stamina and physical power, is the greatest ever accomplished by any rider on a bicycle, and the fact that a man has ridden continuously for 24 hours at an average speed of miles per hour, adds one more link to the chain of 19th century marvels. M. Cordang, who held the previous 24-hour world’s record of 616 miles, 340 yards, established in September, ’97, at the Crystal Palace track, London, was thought to have set a task that no other man could ever do. However, along came the Dunlop motor pacers, and then, hey, presto 1 a plucky little Englishman, not only carries off the record, but leaves a trail of 21 miles over and above the world’s previous best. It is really amusing to watch the antics of the Neto Zealand Cyclist writers on the subject of the Alliance. They never lose a chance of telling people that the Alliance is dead and buried, yet they attack “ Cyclos” for his advocacy of the true and original amateur body. Well, I can bear it all and still smile cheerfully. When the racing season comes along the Cyclist people will know how strong the Alliance really is. At the present time they are too mad to understand its position. E,. Walne is in Queensland, and is in splendid health. R. Lewis is in Sydney, George Carpenter and Eaton are racing in Queensland, and A. C. Forbes is once more out and about after the recent operation upon his legs for varicose veins. Charley says he feels quite a new man, and will ride better than ever next season. It is understood that the first prize in this year’s Austral Wheel Race will be £3OO, and the second prize £l5O. Schwaebsch’s annual compilation for J. J. Miller’s “Sporting Pamphlet” is to hand, and affords all that is useful in connection with records made on cycles. The following are the world’s fastest times on bicycles : —1 mile, lmin 31 4-5 sec, Major Taylor ; 10 miles, 17min 1 1-5 sec, T. Linton; 20 miles, 34min 2sec, H. D. Elkes ; 50 miles, Ihr 34 min 45 4-ssec, R. Palmer ; 100 miles, 3hr 24min 41 sec, E. Gould. I hour, 34 miles, 1220 yards, H.D. Elkes; 12 hours, 317 miles, 600 yards, M. Cordang ; 24 hours, 616 miles 340 yards, M. Cordang. [This has just been beaten by Walters.] M. Cordang also rode 621 miles in 24hr lOmin 55 2-ssec. * .

Murphy, the American cyclist, made his first attempt on the mile record on June 25, paced by a locomotive. He selected the levellest mile of railway on Long Island, and cycled on the outer track alongside the locomotive, having placed 50in boards all the way down. He was also served with a wind shield, which had been built 6ft out from the roof and sides of the locomotive. His machine was geared up to 112, and it did not swerve sin during the run until he began to ease up after the completion of the mile. Then the wind shield on the train outdistanced him, and the terrific onward suction of the wind, made his wheel wobble so violently that he narrowly escaped a frightful fall. He said his ambition was to ride a mile in a minute. He had been nervous at the start, as collision with the shield meant death.

A novel cycle path is being built in Southern California (says “ Hanger’' in the Illustrated Sporting anil Dramatic News') Owing to the mountainous region about Los Angeles and Pasadena, the lot of the cyclist is hardly a happy one ; but the enterprise of the American will soon alter this, for an elevated road is being [constructed between the two towns named. The franchise and right-of-way having been secured, the engineer in charge has commenced work, and in a short time it is expected that the 30,000 cyclists in Los Angeles country will be able to indulge in their favorite pastime under more comfortable, not to say novel, conditions. The path, which will be nine miles in length, and built of wood, is to be supported on pillars of different heights, so as to equalise the grade as much as possible. The width of the path will be enclosed by lattice work to the height of about four feet. There is to be a park and casino midway between the two towns, and the park will be well lighted. The charge for the use of .the track will be a nominal one, and any one [taking a yearly pass will be entitled to share in any dividends.