Cycling and Motoring Notes.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 December 1912, Page 4

Cycling and Motoring Notes.

Prom the Dunlop Rubber Tjre Co Christchurch, for week endin .December 14th,1912. ". WORLD'S CYCLING RECORD. KJRKHAitf'S ASTOUNDING K2l* zi. Wten the Tasmanian crack, F. 1 Keefe, lowered L. Meredith's 10 miles out and home unpaced world , ™ road record to 4hrs Ohmins. I7eecs Don. Kirkham (Victoria) said Ii ooiild better that performance, an* ho did. Kirkham, who is unques tionably tho finest road rider in Aus tralia to-day, has nil along been con fidont that he could lower 'Meredith' world's record, and had already madi arrangements for his first attempt when he was forestalled by the Tas manian crack, who reduced th< Englishman's figures from 4hrs 52mir 51 4-ssec to 4hrs 50min 17secs, anc thereby won the £20 and £5 5s golc medal, donated by the Dunlop Rubber Company, to the first Australasian jider to better the record. Kirkhaw, however, although the prize was won, decided to carry through his proposed attempt, and at his first effort he has put up such a remarkable ride, thet the new figures are astounding. Fancy knocking over sixteen minutes off Meredith's record, and fourteen minutes off Keefe's! Such a performance ie almost incredible, and to do what Kirkham did stamps him as a faet remarkable unpaced rider. The course selected by the Victorian crack as a fifty mile stretch of undulating road on the Cainperdown and Skipton route. Tho checking and timing arrangements were in the hands of Mr R. 0. R. I3oardbent, tho well-inown cycling journalist. Starting away at three in the afternoon, with a very slight favouring breeze, Kirkham covered the first 25 miles in lhr 3min and the 50 mimlesin 2hrs 9min. On the return journey Kirkham was still riding grandly, and left the 75 mile post bohind in 3hrs 21min 30sec, and finishing splondidly completed the full 100 miles in the wonderful time of 4hrs 36min. He rode the last 12 miles in 36 minutes. The intermediate twenty-five's were negotiated as follows: First, lhr 3min; second, lhr 6mimn; third, lhr 12$min; fourth, lhr 14imm. * • « * * Kirkham rode a Dunlop shod machine fitted with 6}in cranks and 88 gear, and had no trouble during the ride. It is interesting to note that Meredith used 7in cranks and 84 gear, and Keofo 6Jiii cranks and 88 gear. Kirkham was followed throughout tho ride by an official motor car to eee that the conditions of the ride re pacing, etc., were duly observed. The comparative times of Meredith, Keefc and Kirkham are interesting, and serve" to show that a slashing performance tho last named rider put up. * # » « « average speed maintained by Kirkham throughout his ride was nearly 22 mileß an hour. In physique Kirkham ie lightly built, about sft llin high, weighing 11 stone, but he is endowed with great strength and endurance, and is a splendid pedaller. His occupation is wood chopping. * * « « « Although the Dmilop Company's prixo, set apart for this record, was won by Keefo, it is the intention of the tyre company to suitably reward Kirkham for his great ride It will now be interesting to hear what the English critics, who have all along Been somewhat sceptical of the fast times recorded in the Wianrnambool, have to say about Kirkham, and Keefo's fine unpaced efforts. Anyway, it is refreshing juet now, in view of Australasia's defeats at cricket, sculling and tennis, to see that / our cyclists are, at all ovents, more than holding their own with tho world's beet.