BICYCLE ROAD RACES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3044, 5 June 1926, Page 3

BICYCLE ROAD RACES.

SUCCESSFUL INAUGURAL MEETING

OF FOXTON AMATEUR CYCLING CLUB.

The Foxton Amateur Cycling Club’s inaugural meeting held on June 3rd proved an unqualified success. .Beautiful weather prevailed and a large crowd assembled in Main Street to watch the events. The competitors, some 20 odd in number, marched in procession with their machines from the Post office to the Triangle, headed by the decorated vehicles of the children. Mr. Walter Vernon, and his pal “Ginger/’ also took part in the procession, much to the amusement of children and adults alike. At the Triangle the Mayoress (Mrs M. E. Perreau) judged the children’s decorated vehicles and the following were.awarded prizes: Best decorated tricycle: Bruce Smith 1, C. Blanchette 2; best decorated dog cart: Master Massey Better; best decorated pram: Lilia Chaffey. As soon as the judging was finished the five mile road race was got off. The course was round the C'emetery block, leaving the Triangle and traversing south down Main Street, finishing at the Post > Office. All got away well, the handicaps being as follows: — J. Coley, J. Martin, P. Lockwood, 55 sees; M. Walls, I. Wright 35; G. Aldridge, D. Satherley 25; B. Chalk, W. Williams, C. Shortt 20; P. Honour 18; G. Coley, 15; D. Knott 10; V. Billings and Withers 6; C. Huff, Chenot, Hancock and Bayliss being the scratch men. Chenot was the favourite and made the pace hot from the start. The limit pien had the race to themselves, however, and Martin came in first with Lockwood close behind. Shorrt, who rode a good race, annexed third place. Chenot put up the fastest time, Knott running second in this respect. P. Honour crashed at the Cemetery Corner and buckled the wheel of his bike, but otherwise no accidents occurred. Mr. Cough'trey, who was following the race, brought Honour back to town. Re-handicapping was found to be necessary and the committee posted the following handicaps for the three mile race: — J. Coley and Walsh 30 secs; Lockwood, Martin Walls and Wright 20; Broad, Aldridge, Satherley and Francis 15; Chalk, Williams and Shortt 12, Honour 10, G. Coley 9, Knott 7, Billings and Withers 5, Bayliss, Hancock and Chenot scratch. This race was run around the Johnston Street block and proved very interesting, the competitors having to traverse the block twice. Shortt was again to the fore and easily annexed first place. Knott ran second with Satherley third. The mile, once round the Johnston Street block, had to be run •in two heats. The handicaps were as follows: — First heat: J. Coley 10, Walls and Martin 9, Satherley 8, G. Coley 0, Knott and Bayliss 4. Second heat: Francis and Williams 9, Withers (i, Shortt 4, Chenot and C. Huff scr. The first heat was G. Coley’s race, but he did not exert himself in the last lap and Knott was placed first, with Martin second and G. Coley third. The second heat proved very exciting. Much speculation was rife as to the ability of the scratch men, Huff and the French boy receiving equal support. Huff rode an excellent race and secured first place, Shortt second with Francis running third. For the final Francis was placed limit man with 10 scs from Huff the only scratch competitor. Martin received 9 secs., G. Coley 0, and Knott and Shortt left on 4 secs. C. Huff was a hot favourite and did not disappoint his supporters. At the Union Street corner he was running third. Shortt was putting up a determined race and at the last corner Huff had not passed him. In the straight up Main St., however, Huff got. away with a great spurt and beat Shortt by half a wheel. Knott ran third well behind. Excitement reached fever pitch in the last lap and Huff was “shouldered” and carried through the crowd after the finish, cheers being given for the winner while he was showered with congratulations. Shortt also received a great ovation. THE SMOKE CONCERT. In the evening the competitors and club members were entertained at a smoke concert by the Committee in Perreau’s rooms. Mi. Perreau (president of the Club) presided and the first toast honoured was that of the King, aftei which the National Anthem was sung - . , . „ At a suitable juncture during the evening the President presented the prizes to the successful competitors and in doing so said that the races had been very successful. He was sorry there were not more prizes this year, but they could look forward to a much bigger meeting next year. It was very gratifying to tlie committee to see the excellent manner in which riders had turned up to the meeting. The committee had been put to a good deal of trouble and expense to keep the roads clear for the races, but the results had warranted their efforts and the boys had all paid up their subscriptions willingly. The prizes were then awarded as follows: Society’s gold medal (five mile)

K. Martin; Mr. Billing’s set tyres and tubes: P. Lockwood; rose bowl: C. Shortt; tobacco pouch (fastest time) A. Chenot; fountain pen, (second fastest time) D. Knott. Mr. R. N. Speirs’ medal (three mile) C. Shortt; Mr. Booth’s bike lamp, D. Knott; Royal-Theatre fire screen: D. Satherley. Messrs Barr and Tver’s trophy ,(1 mile) D. Knott; supporter’s clock: C. Huff; Mr. Golder’s medal: C. Huff; Mr. G. Smith’s suit case: C. Shortt; Mr. Parkin’s set hair brushes: D. Knott. Mr. Cough trey’s cup, for most points, to be won twice in succession or three times at intervals before becoming the property of competitor, was won by C. Shortt. In making the presentation, the President complimented Mr. Shortt on his fine performance that day and expressed the hope that he would be a competitor next year. “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” was sung and cheers were given for Mr. Shortt.

The success of the Cycling Club was then proposed by Mr. Winstanley, who said that everyone was satisfied with the day’s sport and he considered the Club’s first attempt at holding road races had proved very creditable to them.

The President returned thanks and expressed the hope that next year’s event would prove even a greater sueess.

Mr. G. F. Smith, in endorsing the remarks of the President, congratulated the winners and also the “triers.” Next year they hoped to hold a better meeting anc] as a result of the experience they had gained that day conditions would be improved. The patronage given the initial meeting that day by the public augured well for the future of the club. Tim nominations had been good this year, but at the next meeting he hoped to see them doubled.

Mr. C. Billings also endorsed (be previous speaker’s remarks and said that the committee had learnt a lot that day and they would make good use of the experience gained. The secretary (Mr. Little) also returned thanks on behalf of the committee.

Mr. R. Rangiheuea congratulated the committee on the sports, which; he said, were very fine from a spectator’s point of view. The races were well and closely contested and had proved very interesting. Mr. Winstanlcy proposed the toast of the “Press” and in doing so said that lie considered the success of the sports had, in a great, measure, been due to the fine publicity given ihe matter bv the “Mara watu Herald.”

Mr. R. Hornblow briefly rclurne 1 thanks on behalf of the Press and assured the club of the local paper’s willingness at all times to assist them in any way.

'During the evening musical and vocal items were rendered by Messrs. B. Hinds, Cher.ot, and Newton Bros, and Mr. G. F. Smith a recitation.

The evening concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.