CYCLING AND MOTOR NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1057, 9 June 1910, Page 11

CYCLING AND MOTOR NOTES.

The League of New South Wales Wheelman has granted the Dunlop Rubber Co., the 17th. September as the date for their big annual road race from Goulburn to Sydney. This event, the premier road race of the Mother State, will again decide the New South Wales representative for the classic “Warrnambool,” which will probably he held two weeks later on October Ist. It has been arranged that the New Zealand team of riders who come across for “Warrnambool” will also compete in the GoulburnSydney event. Particulars of prizes and conditions of the “Goulburn” will be issued at an early date.

Now that road riders are starting training in view of the forthcoming long distance road events, the following particulars re training, issued by the Dunlop Rubber Co., will probably be of some assistance to intending contestants in this winter’s long distance contest: The first principle of training is to bring the internal organs to a sound and healthy condition. No cyclist physically unsound should dream of competing in such a heavy contest, as bad results may accrue from putting such a big strain on a weak constitution. Granted that the intending competitor is in a fit condition to

undergo a solid preparation, we suggest a few general rules that, if followed, cannot fail but to result beneficially. Assuming that a fair amount of steady road-work has been done during the past few months, the cyclist should commence with long, steady country rides, not fast, but at an easy and comfortable twelve miles an hour pace. A few such rides for about two months, over a 2b miles’ out and home course, and the rider will find that in time he can accomplish this distance without feeling any fatigue. The distance should then be gradually extended up to a 100 miles’ ride each week end, but don’t force your riding. If you tire, ease and take a spell. You don’t want to eat up your vitality; it is the other way about, you want to build up your system. By indulging in plenty of steady distance road-riding you will gradually find yourself getting “fit.” And plenty of everything that suits you- Take seven or eight hours’ sleep nightly. If you find you want more sleep, too much work is being done and you must ease your riding a little, always have a brisk rub clown after returning from a ride, and change into dry clothing. In July a little fast work can be indulged in. Nothing higher than an 84in. gear for hilly courses and 88in. for fast ones should be used, with crank to suit rider. A few speedy trips should now be taken over a 25 miles’ course, finishing the last few miles fast. These trips can be gradually extended over a longer distance, and should leave no ill effects. If they do ease off your riding and take things quietly for a week or so. Riding should be eased off during the last two or three days previous to the event. Whilst training never allow a feeling of weakness to go unsatisfied; 'always carry a few biscuits, chocolate, or raisins with you, and eat when you feel, a sense of emptiness coming on. Lastly, don’t forget that steady and long spins are the correct thing, rather than fast ones; riding long stretches without dismounting so as to accustom yourself to the longsustained effort in the saddle which is absolutely necessary to success. It is advisable to train in company, and, if possible, with better riders than oneself for their example will inevitably increase the novice’s speed.

The Duke of Westminster’s “Ursula”, which last year carried off the speed honors at the Monaco Carnival (which annually attracts the fastest motor boats in the world) has repeated the performance this year. Particulars to hand from Monaco (Monte Carlo) show that nothing could approach the English-built racer for speed, the “Ursula” travelling at the astounding speed of 42 miles per hour over a circuit of 4 miles, which establishes a new speed record. In another event over 62 y s miles for the International Cup, the English flyer won easily from the crack French boat, which was eight minutes behind, the “Ursula” covering the distance (around a 16 miles’ course) in the remarkable speed of lhr. 26min. 59 2-ssec. an average speed of over 43 miles an hour, and that without being pushed. The D’uke of Westminster steered the boat himself.