CYCLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 1819, 1 October 1886, Page 27

CYCLING.

WHEEL NOTES. By Demon. More world's records have been made on the wheel, and the wonder now is where wheelmen are going to stop. Engleheart succeeded in not only lowering the world's safety record, but he eclipsed all amateur records hitherto made upon any form of machine, including the ordinary bicycle, for three, four, and nine miles. The rider rode a " Kangaroo." He did not seem in any way distressed at the finish, and he was received with a tremendous ovation. His times were: First mile, 2min 47 2-sth sec; second mile, smin 37sec ; third mile, Bmin 27sec ; fourth mile, llmin 14sec ; fifth mile, 14min 1 l-sth sec. This is 7 3-sth sec better than Webber's "celebrated American record for five miles on an ordinary bicycle. The tricycle record for five miles was also beaten by Buckingham, who covered five miles in 15min 40 4-sth sec. The times were : First mile, 2min 56sec ; second mile, 6min 6 2-sfch sec; third mile, 9min 17sec ; fonrth mile, 12min 34sec; fith mile, 15min 40 4-sth sec, Buckingham rode a Premier direct steerer. The races were run on the Coventry track, and there is no doubt as to their genuinness. Cortis'ilastrecordswerebrokenduringthesame week at Paignton by Fenlon in a 25-mile race. The 8-mile record wasj beaten by l-sth of a second — t_nen all the records from 10 to 18 miles inclusive were beaten, and also the records from 21 to 25 miles inclusive; In all 14 records were beaten during the race, and the entire distance was accomplished in lhr 14min- 38sec, or 2rain 3 3-sth sec better than Cortis' time. Fenlon, notwithstanding his great exertions, alighted from his machine unassisted. In a recent race at Sydney, Kolfe won the championship of Australia. Following are particulars of the event : — Champion of Australia and £200. — J. Rolfe, 1 ; F. S. Rollinson, 2. When Rolfe and Rollinson appeared on the track they were heartily cheered. The first distance was one mile. In the second lap Rolfe went to the front, closely followed by his opponent, who in the final lap made a great effort to take the leading place, and at one time looked very much as though he would do it, but the Sydney man, was too good and won by about 10 yards. Time, 3min 25 l-sth sec. In the second distance, 5 miles, Rollinson held the lead for the first few laps, when Rolfe passed him, and for some time tho menkeptso close together that the wheels of their machines almost touched. In the second mile, Rollinson put on a spurt and again went to the front, with Rolfe about a yard behind him. The American afterwards increased»tbe lead, but Rolfe towards the finish came close up, and in the last half lap of the fifth mile put on a splendid spurt and completely ran away from his opponent. The time was slow, being 19min 9|sec. At the same meeting the Half-mile Bicycle Race for Boys was very amusing, some of competitors being lads of only a few years,.pf age, one of the young bicyclists being unceremoniously tucked under an official's arm and carried to the starting point. This little fellow and a couple of comrades of equally diminutive stature m<ide a game effort to bear up against the wind, and the picture of the^ youngsters staggering along upon their cycles like cock-boats in a rough sea tickled the fancy of the spectators. The race was won by W. Sharman (scratch), with F. , Bowyer (scratch) second. Time, 2min-23sec. Of all the magnificent trophies (says the Leader) which have been presented for bicycle racing in Australia, the one now on view in Messrs Drummond and Co.'s window, Collins street, takes the palm. It will be banded over to the winner of the great three-milebicycleraco of the M.8.C., to be run ,on tho Melbourne Cricket ground on Saturday, 13th November next. It consists of 100-guinea gold ? hunting split seconds chronometer (with double gold albert and diamond locket), tea and coffee service and silver kettle walnut cabinet (containing 150 pieces, spoons, forks, and table cutlery).

All these will be given as one prize, valued at £200. The second prize consists of a silver tea and coffee service on silver salver, value £50.