Cycling.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 200, 30 April 1904, Page 21

Cycling.

The Dunlop Tyre Company, winch piomote the big Waunambool to Melbourne Road Race every winter, have decided on Saturday, August 20th, for the date of this year's contest. This event is now the most successful of its class held in the world. Following their usual programme, the Dunlop Company will hold test races throughout Australia and New Zealand, with a view of securing the appearance of all the finest representative riders m the 1904 blue riband road event of Australasia. Last year's race saw over a hundred riders face the starter, and, despite heavy rain over half the course, the 165 miles were ridden from scratch by J. Arnst, the New Zealand representative, in the world's record time of 7hrs 43min. * * Efforts are being made by the Automobile Club of Great Britain, and Ireland to secure permission for holding the eliminating trials for the classic Gordon-Bennett Race in the Isle of Man. An official has been over to the island, and has discovered a circular stretch of roadway suitable for the purpose required. In all it is about fifty miles, and, although not altogether suitable for high speed, there .being many twists and turns and hills, it will provide a very good test of the skill of the drivers and the reliability of the cars. # ■"■ * Every motorist can learn something from the 1904 edition of the "-Motoi Annual." This publication first appeared fifteen months ago, and is, strictly speaking, a most compact treatise on the -nhole subject of motors and motoring treated in a thoroughly popular way, and devo d of puzzling technicalities. The merest tyro, who has not the least idea of the working and construction of a motor cycle oi car, can make himself "au fait" with the mam principles after a couple of hours' perusal. » * * For the last three yeais Major Taylor has been recognised as the champion sprinter of the woild, although he has not won the coveted blue riband event —the one-mile championship of the world. The reason has been that the final of the classic event has been held on the Continent, and run on a Sunday, upon which day Taylor has absolutely refused to race, consequently, although the best sprinter in the world, the blue nband event has yet to be inscribed with the darkies name. This year Taylor will have his long-looked-for chance, as the 1904 world's championships are to be held in London next August, when the final will come off on a Saturday. The world's champion for the last three years is the Danish crack, T. Ellegaard who has already beaten Taylor several times in match races. * * • Professional cycling m Australia seems to be growing more and more discreditable. At the meeting of the South Australian League of Wheelmen, at Adelaide, on April 9th, there was a strong combination against Taylor, ' the Flying Darkie," and more disqualifications ensued. The trouble occurred in Taylors heat of the Easter Wheel Race. Before the race, Taylor informed the officials that there was a combination to pi event his winning, and requested the referee to watch the race. At the conclusion of the event the stewards called Pye and Scheps up and disqualified them for six months for not taking their share of the pace. The crowd booted these two uders on account of their selfish riding. * * * The cyclist who intends discarding his pedal-propelled machine foi a motor cycle, should, when placing his motor, stipulate for a low-built frame. Most of the motor bicycles are built with a twenty-four inch frame, but fora rider of average height this is too high. A frame two or three inches lower would be found far more convenient for mounting and dismounting. In an, ordinal v cycle a low frame will mean loss of power, but this loss is not felt by the motor cyclist, who has only comfort to consider.