CYCLE AND MOTOR NOTES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 19, 20 May 1912, Page 8

CYCLE AND MOTOR NOTES.

What is the road surface of the future to be? This point, extremely Interesting to cyclists and motorists, is now undergoing a course of investigation at tiie National Physical Laboratory. The test is by elimination, and is being carried out, as far as possible,

by reproducing the wear and ter:r o road conditions on varying surfaces

and comparing the results. For this purpose there has been installed ■:. huge circular trough, in which, in a

series of concentric rings, occur ;, iceinans of all the principal forms of tarred and allied surfaces. Three inch steel surface wheels, exerting a oressure of one ton, will run on each strip, and presumably the one which emerges best from tlie ordeal will b< the one to gain the favour of the English Road Hoard.

"The Common Failings of Cycl.sts" is the title of an interesting article by the well-known English cycling journalist, Mr. F. T. Bidlake. In it he refers to the failing many present-da} cyclists have of neglecting olio art ol ankiing. After pointing out chat eyelists who do not pedal properly ignore the fact that the human engine hat a valuable and beautifully controlled hinge, missing in all steam engines—namely, the ankle, he condemns the

"wooden leg" action, rightly taking the view that, the accomplished "link lor" will easily accomplish journeys which would tire a stronger man win less skilfully applies his superior force. The position he recommendi for the foot is that it should be placed so that the centre barrel of the pedal is athwart the widest portion of tin shoe, the ball of the foot, which carries the load when walking, si ouid tako the thrust whvn pedalling, sue!: thrust being most ap plied over the centre of the pearl. Another failing he lays stress on i;

that of over-estimating strength ana using an unduly high gear. This may seem very pleasant in the early stages of an easy ride, but is a baffling and disabling "defect when fatigue sets in. Here, in Mr. Bidlake's opinion, is where the advantage of the variable gear device asserts itself, in affording a useful means of escape from the evils of a sngle excessive gear, provided the rider.cultivates the use of it. ami does not expect fallacious results from it. In the case, however, of a rider whose machine is not fitted v.ith ;. variable gear device, he thinks that far more enjoyment is to be heal bj the average cyclist, for all-round purposes, from a gear of 68in. or thereabouts, than from the high 80'a 01 90's.- He considers it wiser to iindu'gear than over-gear, as the one error a't worst only "winds" a' man, wink the error of over-gearing fatigues tin, average rider'completely and may IcaiQ to exuaustion and overstrain. With those vi'. .vs lit are disposed to en-

Atraugeatetus in connection with the Motor Show to be held at the Melbourne Exhibition from August 31st tc September 7th (inclusive) are well in hand, and,judging by the thorough manner in which the Automobile Ctub of Victoria is handling the details, the Exhibition is going to be a big success. Already most of the- leading Victorian motor tyre and accessories bouses have signified their intention. cf showing, and, apart from a finaacial point' of view, the exhibition is going to prove of considerable value irom an educational standpoint. The ''split'' or halved chassis affords a splendid opportunity for the public to gain an insight as to the inner wordings of a petrol engine. Certain sections are cutout of cylinder, crank case, gear case, differential case, and over tno different working parts of online and gears, so that the whole action and function of the different parts of a motor car are laid bare to the eye. Such a model conveys more information in five minutes' inspection than hours of labouring through books, catalogues, etc.—in fact, it is a revelation even to most motorists themselves, for few of the present-day motorists are thoroughly acquainted with the inner workings of the mechanism of a motor-car. The cost of'halving' a motor chassis is said to be very heavy. According to the "Flanders" people it cost them £2OOO to prepare their models for exhibition purposes. As regards the "Charley" patent, which introduces an entirely new and novel means of springing a car, a complete chassis will be shown, together with all the working parts. Special features of the Exhibition will be the attractiveness of the forty stands, the colour scheme being white relieved by gold and the commercial vehicle section. As the Exhibition will be held during the currency of the Victorian Agricultural Society's Show in Melbourne, big crowds of visitors will be sure to avail themselves of the opportunity of seeing and learning much in connection with the present day automobile. In an endeavour to create a greater demand for its electric taxicabs, the Electromohile Co., of London, has inaugurated what it styles "theatre party service." For die moderate sum of 15s the company agrees, to take four persons to dinner, to the theatre afterwards, to supper after the theatre, and finally home. (load riders in general and "Warrnambool" contestants in particular, will regret to hear of the death of W. K. Knaggs, who won the Warrnambool Melbourne Road Race in 1909. Brain I'evei- was the cause of death. The late W. F. Knaggs, who was 35 years of age, saw service in the South African War, and was a good all-round athlete, but it was as a long distance road racing cyclist that he iirst came into publie prominence. In the "Warrnambool" winch lie won, he put up a sterling performance by riding the 1(55 miles in the very fast time of 7hrs .'',2 lain LOscc. The record speed of 7S.{ miles an hour, has, according to a cablegram! from San Francisco, been established in a long distance road race. 'I ids ivonlerful performance was accomplished at Santa Monica, California, bv !•',. Tet/.eloff, in an open road race over a distance of 303 miles, which was covered in ,'>!'rs slmin. Previous to this record the fastest sustained pace in a long distance road contest was an average of 74.0 miles per hour, accomplished in Indianapolis (U.S.A.) Lis: '.ear.