Cycling.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 191, 27 February 1904, Page 21

Cycling.

The opinion is expressed by observant English cycling journalists that the free wheel has had the effect of decreasing the pace of the average rider. In the case of the pottering cyclist, the free wheel has not had this effect, because, although it may have slowed him or her, as the case may be, under certain circumstances a faster pace has been maintained dawn hill. Outside the mere potterer however, we certainly hold the opinion that the free wheel has reduced the average pace. It encourages laziness. Major Taylor won his two events against Iver Lawson, at Sydney, on the 6th instant, by clever head-work. Lawson is one of the fastest sprinters America has produced. The match was over three distances, viz., a halfmile, a mile, and a half mile, the mile race to be paced by riders selected by League officials The stake was £75. As Taylor won the first two straight out, there was no need for the third event. In the first distance, at the pistol fire, Lawson on the inside, both riders gave an exhibition of trick slow riding, each being anxious for the other's wheel. Lawson gave in first, and took the lead. Slowly he rode around the track, with Taylor crouched on his back wheel, both being greeted with groans and cheers of derision, for not riding faster, the crowd failing to recognise that in match riding finesse is everything. In this particular instance it won, for at 260 yds to go Lawson, riding wide up the track, got anxious, and looked back to see what his opponent was doisg. Quick as a flash, the Darkie came down off the banking, and was four lengths ahead of Lawson. Both riders then rode all they knew, but the positions were unchanged as they flashed over the finishing line. Time, lmin 50sec. Taylor, as he rode round the track, was frantically cheered.

In the second contest — one mile paced — ne.ther of the riders were anxious to take the pacers' wheel, both lecogniang that this meant almost ceitain defeat. After consideiable wobbling, Law son went ahead and took Burton's wheel. At 460 yds to go the pacer pulled off, leaving Lawson in front, with Taylor trailing his wheel. The pace immediately dropped dow n to a crawl, Lawson riding a few inches only from the fence, with the daikie behind Gradually the pace increased as the last lap was entered upon,. At 260 yds to go, Lawson repeated his foimer error, and, like Lot's wife, would look back Again Taylor took advantage of it, and dashed through on the inside w ith a two lengths' lead. Round* tl c last bend into the .finishing straight, Lawson made a brilliant lun. Giadudly he gained foot by foot on Taylor, who lasted long enough to win by two feet. That the pace was solid can be gleaned from the fact that Taylor rode the last 230 yds f i om a slow start in 15sec Lawson riding two lengths further in the same time. Time, 2min 30 2-sth sec. The Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland, which is the official authority on automobilism in the United Kingdom, now has a membership of 2550. It was organised six years ago, with about 400 members. Entries for the big ' Sydney Thousand" cycle race, over a male, for £1000, which is to be held ia Sydney next March, closed on the 6th instant, with a fine nomination. All the crack racing cyclists now on the Australian circuit have, entered for the rich event, which last year went to America, through the agency of N. C. Hopper This year's race stands a big chance of again going to the United States per medium of the strong American team now on the other side. The German Automobile Club has fixed June 17th next for the date of the automobile race for the Gordon-Ben-net Cup, and the date has been submitted to and approved by the Emperor. The list of entries now includes teams from Germany, Prance, United States, Great Britain, Italy, Belgium, and Austria, and will probably receive nominations from Holland and Switzerland. French manufacturers are doing their utmost to capture the Cup.