CYCLING AND MOTOR NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 957, 9 July 1908, Page 12

CYCLING AND MOTOR NOTES.

Ellegaard and Friol, two of the leading riders of Europe, intend racing in the Commonwealth during the forthcoming Spring. It is said that both riders will be in Melbourne early in September, and will race on the saucer track during the visit of the American fleet.

Messrs H. Dutton and M. Aunger, the two South Australian motorists, who, last year end, made an ineffectual effort to motor across Australia —from South Australia to Port Darwin (2066 miles) —and who were eventually compelled to abandon the trip at Tennant’s Creek (1400 miles from Adelaide), owing to the heavy tropical rains rendering progress further north impossible, again intend taking the overland trail northwards at the end of the present month. It will be remembered that Messrs Dutton and Aunger had to leave their car at Tennant’s Creek, returning on pack horses down to Odnadatta, a ride of 643 miles, from whence they returned by rail to Adelaide. In their second attempt to drive from sea to sea, a similar make of car will be used, viz., a 25 h.p. Talbot, the intention being to endeavour to reach Tennant’s Creek, pick up the other car abandoned last December, and then take the two cars through to Port Darwin, a matter of another 68 6 miles. By leaving Adelaide at the end of June, Messrs Dutton and Aunger will find the overland route far better travelling than they did last midsummer, and with ordinary luck, should succeed in their undertaking.

In addition to the £lBO prize list given in connection with this year’s great road race from Warrnambool to Melbourne (165 miles, the Dunlop ) Rubber Co. have now decided to add a special prize of a £lO 10s trophy, to be known as the “ Amateur Plate,” to be set apart for road riders affiliated with any club or amateur sports association, the prize to be won by the amateur contestant first reaching Melbourne. In past years, the crack amateur road riders have been keen on pitting themselves against the cream of Australasian road riders, but were debarred, owing to the constitution of the rules of the controlling amateur association. The objection has now been removed, and amateur riders will, this year, be able to compete in Australasia’s greatest road race, taking trophies in the event of winning prizes. This year’s Warrnambool race, set down for running on October 3rd, will therefore be of more than usual interest.

The intimate relation which exists between the brain, the organ of thought, and the muscles, the instru-

ments of movement, is, says “Cycling,” not as a rule sufficiently recognised, particularly in training for cycle racing and in actual competition. It should be borne in mind that the will orders and the muscles execute. Even if one only wishes to move the foot, the order has to originate from the brain, passing down the spinal cord, and along the nerves of the leg and thigh; consequently, when training, it is imperative to keep the mind centred on the muscles, and so keeping up a regular flow of blood to the head, which always requires as much nourishment as, if not more than, the body. Extremely low handlebars should be avoided. Cycle racing undoubtedly calls for nerves capable of standing high tension, so it naturally follows that the rider who has his nerves under control has more chance of meeting with success than the rider who neglects such matters. Successful riders like Kramer, “ Major ” Taylor, Ellegaard, Lawson, and others, who always ride consistently, have apparently trained their brains as well as their muscles, for on the day of a race they can ride to the occasion, whereas 50 per cent, of the cracks fail to produce their form when occasion requires. To obtain absolute control of the brain most regular living, not only for a few weeks when in training, but for years, must be indulged in, and smoking and partaking of alcohol must be particularly avoided. Over-training has a great tendency to depress one’s spirits, and cyclists, when training for either road or track, should not expend all their energy and vitality whilst preparing for any particular event, but should instead, build up their reserve force for the day.

The open muffler nuisance on motor cycles is a growing one in our principal cities, and one that requires the prompt attention of both the civic and motor authorities. At present a large number of motor cyclists think themselves at liberty to ride through thick traffic leaving behind them a rattle and noise, as if a maxim gun were at work. There is no need for such noises, and if motor cyclists won’t recognise that fact, then stringent bye-laws will at an early date make the matter a compulsory one. “Gentlemen will not, and others must not ride with mufflers open ” —is a crisp way they have of circularising motor cyclists in America, and is worthy of adoption here.

All arrangements have now been completed by the Dunlop Rubber Co. for the holding of the big New South Wales Test Road Race, from Goulburn to Sydney—a distance of about 131 miles. The event, which

is creating great interest in New South Wales, is being held under the auspices of the League of New South Wales, and is set down for running on Saturday, September 19th. The total prizes exceed £l5O.