ON THE WHEEL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 511, 4 October 1900, Page 5

ON THE WHEEL

I BY

Cyclos.

Some of the tracks built specially for motor-pacing and racing show highlybanked curves, and to travel at forty miles per hour, and look down upon the the track, is said to turn the unaccustomed quite giddy, and riders have been known who have been obliged to leave the track oh account of the feeling. Usually, it is gradually overcome by practice, and learning to lift the eyes from time to time, instead of keeping them fastened upon the fast-flying surface of the track as it spins away beneath the wheels. As small tracks naturally increase this feeling of vertigo, half or third mile tracks are more generally preferred than those of a quarter and one-fifth mile* The balance-sheet of the World’s Championship Meeting last year, at Montreal, has been published, and shows a profit of £lO4, which gives each Association represented the sum of £l7 10s as its share. The New South Wales' Union spent £5O in sending Ben Goodson to the meeting, therefore it loses something like £32 over the venture. A young Chicagoan named John Nelson is expected by some to become a better pace-follower than Michael ever was. Last season he rode as an amateur. This year he has turned professional, ' and recently won a triangular twenty miles paced match with Burns Pierce and Champion by over a lap. A few days later he defeated H. Caldwell and E.' Ryan over a twenty-five mile course, breaking the American record. His time was 39min 45sec. It is said that Nelson can follow the fastest pace without faltering. It is not generally known amongst Australian cyclists that Harry Elkes, the champion pace-follower of America, who is now carrying all before him on the Continent, once received a “ terrible doing” from Plugger Bill Martin. The incident was in 1897, when Elkes was creating a stir in the States as a paced rider. Martin, then a novice at pace following, happened to remark that he would not mind making a wager for a thousand dollars that he would beat the new star in a5O miles paced match. The wager was eagerly snapped up by Elkes’ supporters, and the arrangements for the match completed, a purse of fifteen hundred dollars being put up besides the side wager. The event duly came off, and “ Plugger ” ran Elkes off his legs. Martin netted £5OO over the event.

At the Police Court, ou Thursday last, Frederick Rose pleaded guilty to cycling on the footpath at Epsom on September 9th. He said that he was under the impression that members of the Cycle League were allowed to cycle on the footpath at Epsom. Sub-Inspector Wilson said he doubted whether in the face of the Public Works Act, which forbade cycling on the footpath, a Road Board had any power to give such permission. In any case the offence was committed before the matter was ever brought before the Road Board, so that the subsequent permission was no excuse. A fine of Is and costs 10s was inflicted.

The Auckland Cycling Club hold their Spring Carnival on the Domain Cricket Ground, on Saturday, October 27th. A good programme has been arranged, and given fine weather and good entries, the fixture should be a success. Entries for all events close at the Auckland Cycle Club’s Booms, Upper Pitt-street, on Saturday night, October 13th. It is reported that the Cycle Boards Bill was struck off the list of Bills that will be proceeded with in the Lower House this session, so as to allow of its introduction by the Hon W. C. Walker in the Legislative Council as a Government measure. At this late stage of the session the prospects of its passage are not, however, very great. It is recommended to users of the free wheel and back-pedalling brake, es-

pecially when the brake is applied to the rim, that they have the rims of their cycle wheels plated, as it is found that the continual use of brake blocks acting on the rim wears off the enamel, generally resulting in the rim becoming rusty and unsightly.. By plating . the rims this difficulty is overcome, besides giving a neater and cleaner appearance to the wheels for a plated rim doesn’t show the mud like a black enamelled one. Messrs E. Reynolds and Co received by the s.s. Kumara a large shipment, of Rudge-Whit worth machines. Cyclists and racing men who are contemplating getting a new mount this season, should call round and inspect the machines which are now on show. I am in receipt of the annual report and balance sheet of the League of New Zealand Wheelmen, which is to be presented to members at the annual general meeting, to be held on Monday, October 29th The report deals with the League’s representatives to Paris, and many. Other matters in connection with the sport. The balance sheet shows the League to have assets to the value of £B4 19s Bd, whilst the liabilities are nil. In this issue will be found an advertisment of Messrs A. G. Healing and Co, of the Ideal Tyre Co, 118 Lichfield street, Christchurch. The firm stock all the best makes of cycle requisites. Cyclists would do well to call, or send for catalogue before purchasing elsewhere. Mr L. J. Lohr, the enterprising theatrical manager, sends me from Sydney the following clipping, which shows how Jones is faring on the other side :—

“JONES” AT THE LITHGOW SPORTS.

“What Happened to Jones.” The Lithgow Wheelmen held a programme of sports on Saturday. Jones ” was very much in evidence, as will be seen from the results : — Half Mile Handicap—Jones, Ist; Honey, 2nd ; Jones, 3rd. Mile Handicap—Jones, Ist; Jones, 2nd ; Honey 3rd. Mile and Hale Handicap—Jones, Ist; Jones, 2nd ; Yates, 3rd. Scratch Race—Jones, Ist; Goodwin, 2nd; Jones 3rd 8. Jones ran four firsts, and W. Jones two seconds and two thirds.