The Motor Cycle.

Progress, Volume VI, Issue 1, 1 November 1910, Page 444

The Motor Cycle.

The Editor will be pleased to receive communications from Club Secretaries giving accounts of their Club’s doings, or matter interesting to motor cyclists. (Christchurch Correspondent.) The North Canterbury Motor Cycling Club held its second run of the season on 2nd inst., the route being via Sumner, Lyttelton, Governor’s Bay, Teddington, Gebbie’s Valley, and home through Taitapu, a distance of about sixty miles, including some very stiff hill climbing. Starting from Cathedral Square at 10 a.m., nothing eventful occurred during the run down to Sumner. On reaching the foot of the hill road leading to Lyttelton, many of the members stopped to lower their gears and take a piece out of their belts, as it is a fairly stiff climb to the top of the zig-zag. Just on the worst pinch of the whole road a quantity of fine loose

metal had been laid on to a depth of several inches, and this-proved the undoing of a few of the riders. The majority, however, reached the top without much trouble, where a halt was called to ___„•+ r + ,„„ i mi, ia . await stragglers. _ These latter came in one at a time, having in some cases been assisted by some of the first arrivals, who, after waiting at the summit for some time, <™+ ™ +w^ «,««i.;«r. „ j j j 4.1. got on their machines and rode down the hill again to give their assistance to those who were unable to get up alone. The steep drop down the zig-zag road on the harbour side was then essaVed and the iidiuuui siae was men essayed, and tne grade was such as required all brakes to be in perfect working order to prevent the machines from taking charge of their riders, with possible disastrous results.

The road is exceedingly rough also, large rocks projecting out of the surface at frequent intervals, making it necessary to use the greatest care in negotiating. The worst is soon over, however, and the rest of the road down to Lyttelton is a gentle downward grade, winding in and out along the hill side. The Port was run through without stopping, and the run was continued on to Governors Bay over a very line road, with just sufficient undulations to give the necessary variety, through Raupaki Pah and Little Raupaki, until finally the last stretch down into Governor's Bay, where the luncheon halt was mane. The majority patronised "Ellerslie" (late Tapley's "Gardens), though some few members adjourned to the shade of the public gardens and enjoyed an "al fresco" meal. Leaving the Bay about 3 p.m. the ride was continued round the head of the harbour, up and down, past numerous orchards, with trees covered in blossom, until Teddington was

reached. Then came the last climb of the day, being the hill road over the Pass to Gebbie’s Valley on the other side. This hill, also, is a very fair test of a machine, and to make matters worse, the road was practically covered with loose metal from top to bottom, with only a very narrow track on the side of the road which was fairly free from large stones. This made it necessary to ascend in single file, with the result that when one of the machines in the middle of the bunch refused to go any further when about half-way up, all those behind were compelled to come to a standstill likewise. The steepness and roughness of the track prevented any chance of starting again, at any rate single-handed, but after a lot of pushing, the majority succeeded in again getting under weigh and eventually reaching the haven of rest at the top of the hill. One or two machines, however, had to be pushed up all the way after their unfortunate stoppage.

The roadway down into Gebbie 's Valley was in very bad condition, through heavy winter traffic, but beyond this the road rapidly improved, and, with the exception 0 f a few patches of broken metal was in U 1 " udiuiesi 01 uiOKcn metal, was m very good order for motoring. From Gebbie's to Christchurch the route lay along the foot of the hills a flat but verv winding road leading nast Motn , y UJiiumg xociu leading past J.UOlUkarara, Taitapu, and Halswell, thence into town via the Lincoln Road, after a most enjoyable day's outing including plenty 0 f variety by way of hill climbing etc °™iety oy waj ot I S- climbing, etc. The membership of this Club is mcreasing rapidly, seventeen new members being elected at one committee meeting, and fourteen at another , held on Mt h ' inst., making a total memb ership of close on

eighty. Motor cyclists and others interested and desirous of becoming members should communicate with the hon. secretary, Mr. P. G. Blanchette, P.O. Box 888, Christchurch, who will forward full particulars, together with enrolment forms. The question of holding a three or four days’ reliability trial at Christmas is now being considered by the Club, and a subcommittee has been appointed to go thoroughly into the matter. The ran will probably be to Dunedin and return, making Timaru a half-way stopping place. It is quite possible that it will be held so as to coincide with the reliability trials of the Canterbury Automobile Association, which take place about that time.