CYCLING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 830, 1 February 1906, Page 14

CYCLING.

The English cycle shows just held point to several new features for the 1906 cycling season. Foremost and most important is the upward tendency in price of this year’s cycle, the buying public having become wary and shy of the deadly cheap gaspipe apology that was selling for a bicycle for a few pounds in England a short time back. Better attention to details is being given by the leading cycle manufacturers. The variable speed gears will, it is estimated, be fitted to fully 50 per cent, of the cycles built for the year 1906. The proven worth and reliability of the various devices for giving the rider two or more speeds at will has been properly recognised in England, and the variable gear now threatens to become as . popular as the free wheel. From a tyre point of view, the growing demand is for the best quality tyre, and the rubbish rushed on the market by Continental makers, in view of the Dunlop tyre pa-

tents expiring, has found a very poor sale. Contrary to expectations, the Dunlop Tyre Company has sold considerably more tyres for the year just past than for any year previous to the expiration of the Dunlop patent rights. All told, cycling and cycle manufacturers are enjoying a term of prosperity in the Old Country that even the automobile boom cannot shake. * * *

George Farley and W. E. Samuelson (Salt Lake City), on 10yds, were virtually the scratch men in the big event of the meeting, the Summer Wheel Race, £lOO first prize (says the “ Sydney Mail.”) Nearest to them were Sandberg, 30yds away, and he had a gap of 20yds to Goodson. Mutton was on 90yds, and the limit men were Simon, Ringwood, and Quinlan, on 110yds. The men on limit were thought to have a good chance, but they could not agree as to pacing, so they were soon caught by Farley and Samuelson, who rendered mutual and systematic assistance. Mutton was in front at the bell, and was attended by Ringwood, the South Australian. Then came Arnst and Sandberg. Farley was in the middle of the field, and was well placed at the top of the banking. Farley sprinted at the members’ pavilion, and, finishing splendidly, won by a length from Ringwood, Mutton being third. Farley’s form has been remarkably good this meeting, and his win on Monday evening was a popular one.