PIONEER BICYCLE CLUB RACES.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2193, 7 March 1881, Page 3

PIONEER BICYCLE CLUB RACES.

The annual meeting of the Pioneer Bicycle Club took place on Saturday afternoon on the ground of the Popular Sports Association. The track was somewhat dry, owing to the weather, but it was not bad going taken altogether. There was noticeable about the gathering one thing that we hope the club next year, both for their own sake and the public convenience, will see carried out. This is that some provision should be made to rope in the straight piece of the track from the turn to the winning post. Ou Saturday afternoon the riders were greatly inconvenienced Just at this point, particularly by the spectators crowding over the track, making it impossible in case of a close finish for one rider to pass another. The attendance was good, and the club are to be congratulated upon the general success of the meeting. The champion rider, Mr Quirk, was crushed out of any chance of winning the events he had entered for by the handicap, which was far too great a tax on his powers, though he struggled gallantly. Between two of the events the match between Pagan and Woollerton for a five-mile running spin came off, resulting in a victory for the former. Prior to the races commencing, the bicyclists, to the number of about twenty-eight, formed up in procession at the Post-office and rode to the ground. The following events were decided on Saturday : One Mile Clnb Handicap—Open to members of P.B.C. only. J. F. Norris (275 yds start) ... 1 G. B. Dalton (250 yards start) .. 2 Quirk, the champion, was at scratch, but the start given to his opponents was too much for him, and Norris, who rode well, came in first, with Dalton, who afterwards won the lion's share of the prizes at the meeting, second. One Hundred Tards Slow Race. W. H. Gotten (D.8.C.) 1 G. Petre (D.8.C.) 2 Outten won the first heat and Petre the second. On running the final Outten managed his bicycle with much skill, keeping about three yards in rear of Petre, and ultimately winning. Five Miles Flat Race (vanning). Fagan 1 Woollerton 2 This was a match made between the above two peds. Woollerton led off with about three or four yards the best of it, which position was maintained without alteration, Fagan going well within himself, until the last lap, when at the turn he came away, and Woollerton pulled up, leaving Fagan to run in an easy winner. Time—29min. SOsecs. One Mile Open Handicap. G. E. Dalton (P.8.C.). 220 yds ... 1 A. E. Preece (P.B O.), 350 yds ... 2 W. H. Cntten (D.8.C.), 150 yds ... 3 Quirk at scratch, and Branagan at 300 yds start, also ran. Time—3min. 16aecs. Three Miles Open Handicap. G. E. Dalton (P. 8.C.), 310 yds ... 1 W. H. Outten (D 8.C.), 320 yds ... 2 T. Searell (P.B.C ), 435 yds ... 3 W. Quirk (P.B C.), scratch ... 4 J. F. Norris, 400 yds, D. Robertson, and H. O. Olarke also ran. Dalton rode very nicely indeed, and woi with a bit in band. Norris, who was riding capitally, fell by riding over a dog, but was up again and on the road. 11l luck, however, pursued him, as he fell again, and this lost his chance in the race. Outten, whose easy and graceful style of riding was the theme of admiration, ran second. Quirk, who was crushed out of the race by the handicap, rode well, but was unable to overtake his leaders. One Mile Novices’ Race. Langdown 1 Turner 2 There were seven entries for this race, which was run in heats. Langdon won the race on the final heat, with Turner second. Ten Mile Clnb Handicap. G. E. Dalton (P.8.C.), 880ydg ... 1 J. F. Norris (Uo), 1400yds 2 W. H. Outten (D. 8.0.). 1000yds ... 3 T. Searell (P.8.C.) 1400yds ... 4 J R. Morris (D.B C.), 1200yds ... 5 Clarke and Robertson also ran. Mr Quirk was scratch. The main points of interest in the race were the splendid spurts of Robertson and Outten in the earlier portion of it, the plucky riding of Norris, and Dalton’s wonderful powers of endurance, the latter finishing, after having disposed of of all his leaders in start, as fresh as possible. Olarke, who had the long start of a mile, fell after some time, and was out of it, and Robertson, who had been riding a very fast race in the early part, shot his bolt, and retired. Time, 39min 2seo. Consolation Race. Allison 1 Mr Quirk entered a protest in this race, as Mr Allison had not competed in any of the preceding races. In the evening the various prizes were presented at the Commercial Hotel, Mr Dalton, who, as will be seen, is credited with the largest number of wins, being highly complimented. Tho visitors and Mr Quirk also received commendation.