SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 23, 2 October 1896, Page 20

SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

Cycling discipline. — Cyclists are placed under rigorous discipline in Austria No rider is permitted to pass through the streets unless he passes an examination in competency. He must be able to mount or dismount on either side, must be able to back pedal, and show complete mastery over the machine. Should he pass, a certificate is given bearing his photograph, and he must produce this when it is demanded — particularly after a collision. Sea Bathing. — There are several rules which one should keep in mind with regard to bathing at the seashore. A strong arid vigorous person may bathe early in the morning before breakfast, but young children and those not strong should not bathe until more than two hours after eating. Avoid bathing when the body is cooling after perspiration. Leave the water immediately if the slightest feeling of ohilliness is observed. Persons whose hands and feet have a feeling of numbness and cold after being in the water a short time should not bathe in the open air. Do not bathe when tired. Across Siberia on a Bicycle. — The latest intelligence to hand when our Home files left London, of the cyclist-traveller, Mr. R. L. Jefferson, came from Tomsk, in Central Siberia, and was to the effect that he had safely accomplished the feat of riding a bicycle across the dangerous Siberian steppes, the Tartar and the Baraba, the two largest in Asiatic Russia. Mr. Jefferson set out in March last from London, with the intention of riding his bicycle to the capital of Siberia, Irkutsk, and so far his ride has been successful, although it must not be supposed that the journey has been without difficulties and dangers. He was some 1000 miles from the finish of his enterprise, but with good weather he hoped to reach his destination in three weeks from Tomsk. The total journey from London to Irkutsk is 6571 miles. Cycling promotes temperance. — Almost every young man now can cycle. Seeing a young man pass, going like the wind, and as straight as an arrow, a friend (writes the Rev. J. M. Strachan, 8,D., Kilspindie, in " Life and Work ") said : " That is the champion cyclist in our county." Recently I had the pleasure of meeting him. He has over seventy prizes gained by cycling, forty-one gold medals, three silver ones and the rest made up of such things as a silver tea-set and a marble timepiece. Last year he rode 100 miles in 5 hours 34 minutes 22 seconds ; and last year also he won the 50 miles road record in 2 hours 30 minutes 9 seconds, which means that he went on'a road for fifty miles at the speed .of one mile in every three minutes and much less than half a second, He began his successful career by finding that the more regularly he pedalled and the straighter he rode he went the quicker. In a long race — he has broken three times the road record for 100 miles — there is no time allowed to take any refreshment, It must be taken on the back of the bicycle. This champion cyclist usually takes fruit or some thin gruel. " Did you ever take spirits of any kind ? " I asked. '-I mean whisky or brandy." "No. They cut the breath short. You can't race and take brandy. Anyone who tries it is soon broken-winded and puffed. It may help for a little, but it leaves you worse, I believe that if five or six men were together in a race, say two miles from the tape, and one was handed a drink of brandy, it might let him break away and win easily. But if he had ten miles or had a long race before him he would find great difficulty in riding. His breath would be cut." "So you don't believe in brandy ? " " No. It may help for a short spurt, but is no good for a long run. Only a temperate man can be a good racer." As I thought of the wide meaning of this as applied to life instead of cycling, I said : "Do you know you are giving a strong testimony for temperance ? We ministers often teach that spirits do more harm than good for a long and successful life, and that they are only good in say an accident or illness, when you need strength to pass quickly some danger. Would you kindly allow me to make known your experience and words ? People are willing to believe a champion cyclist." " Yes, lam quite willing."