CYCLING

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 708, 1 October 1903, Page 13

CYCLING

Particulars are to hand by the latest American files of some wonderful riding on the part of a Yankee pace-follower named Caldwell. In a recent 15 miles paced match between this rider and Walthour, on the Boston track (U.S.A.), Caldwell dashed away at terrific pace, covering the first mile from a flying start in the world's 1 record time of Imin 11 2-ssec. Continuing this fast pace, Caldwell rode two miles in 2niin 23sec ; three miles' in 3min 22 l-ssec, four miles in 43 3-ssec, and five miles in smin 51 3-ssec : the fifth mile he covered in the almost incredible rime of Imin Ssec. All these times rank as world’s records. Entering the tenth mile the terrific pace told its tale Walthour took the lead, riding ten milesi in llmin 50 2-ssec, and fifteen miles in 17 min 46 4-ssec, he winning eventually by several laps. The above riding is far and away the fastest yet accomplished on a cvcle track.

Some interesting figures regarding the number of races and race meetings held during the past three years in Victoria have been made available. During the season 1900-1 the number of race meetings held under League patronage totalled 74, including five road ra'ces ; in 19012 they aggregated 98, including five road road events ; while in the season just passed the number was 831, of which 14 were road competitions. This large and continued increase furnishes a splendid testimony to the popularity of the conditions under which the sport is now governed. There were in 1901-2, 7942 competitors handicapped by the League ; while in 1902-3 the number swelled to 8220. The number of riders who registered with the League in 1900-1 was 576 ; in the following season it was 887, and in 1902-3 no fewer than 1044 names were enrolled.

In the evolution of the bicycle, stage by stage, there was the wooden bone-shaker, the solid-tyred ordinary, then back to the more lowly construction styled the safety (which in its earlier days was a refined example in steel of its predecessor, the wooden-wheeled bone-shaker), with a chain and multiplying gear, which enabled it to compete with the old ordinary for speed, and, moreover, revolutionised’ the racing path by introducing a new set of men who found in -it a medium for outstripping mere ■ activity and agility by sheer strength. Then came the front driver, which by means of chain or gearing, sought to compete in safety with the safety bicycle, and at the same time not only to retain the then better speed, but also the supposed gracefulness, of the ordinary or high machine. Through all these phases up to the climax, when the pneumatic tyre joined hands with the diamond frame, and ball-bearing heads with ball pedals, to be followed yet later by narrow treads and feather-weight construction, through • the period when the American makers sought to introduce wood . for rims, handle-bars, and even frames, and a thousand and one departures from the beaten path, until by a process of elimination of the bad or indifferent, with a corresponding estimation of what proved best and fittest for the purpose, we arrive to-day at what is undoubtedly a triumph in mechanics, and at present prices the best mechanical value in the world.

The Dunlop Tyre Company has patented an improved single-tube racing tyre, which will shortly be available. Its features are that it is easily repairable,; and that the pocket and fabric casing has no lap, and, therefore, an immunity from bursting. It is remarkably resilient and light, a single tyre weighing but from 9oz to 10oz. Racing men arc much taken with it.

The London “ Globe ” thinks that the improvement in the general health is due in no small degree to the inducement to take vigorous exercise on the bicycle, which, save for an occasional tendency to side-slip, is a perfect, and exquisite piece of mechanism. It not only makes the suburb a part of the city, but it brings the distant country and the seashore near to the metropolis. “We are told in some

quarters,” it writes, “ that our children will regard these beautiful bicycles in the same manner as we now regard our forefathers’ bone-shakers. Winging the heavens in flying-machines', or skimming round the globe on motor-cars, they will smile pitifully upon the toiling, backbowed bicyclist, and express wonderment as to our easily-satisfied ambition. We venture to prophesy, nevertheless, that the bicycle will not vanish from the earth till this century is well past the middle age.” .

At a special gathering in Christchurch, organised to welcome home the Brothers Arnst, Mr W. Thompson presented Mr J. Arnst with a handsome gold watch, bearing the following inscription : —“ Presented to J. Arnst by Christchurch admirers in recognition of his winning the Warrnambool to Melbourne road race in world's record time, 7hr 43min. 22.8.03.” The recipient was heartily cheered. .