CYCLING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 26, 29 January 1913, Page 2

CYCLING.

SYDNEY TO MELBOURNE. GUNN’S GREAT FEAT. The recent|y .established motor cycle record of 29j hours for the overland run between Sydney s ‘and Melbourne did nht remain long unchallenged. Mr. A. Giinn, a Mklbduihl© motorist, starting from Sydney at, 2 o’clock on Saturday morning, 18th instant, arrived at the Melbourne G'.-P-G.- at 3.55-a.m. next day. the time he took over the 572 miles was 2oh. 55min. t’ho:a'ctnai ime in the ad die,was abopt .^3, hours. , Gunn left Sydney, by Mr. J. Booth, another Melbourne rider, but owing to a mishap between Yass and Gundagai, Gunn,pad to com? on alone. Booth eventually fixed up his machine, ape! resumed the ride about an hour later. The fastest average speed, including stops to pick up petrol and partake of refreshments, was 32 miles per hour for the 121 miles run from Goulburn to Gundagai. Up to Benalla, it looked as if Gunn would win' the gold watch recently offered by the Dunlop Rubber Company for the first rider to accomplish the overland run in a day. As far as Benalla, Gunn was on time for the 24 hours’ journey, but later the roads became bad, and the dust was' heavy, so that fast progress was not possible. During the night, from Benalla, Gunn-, rode ahead of a motor car with powerful front lamps, but in spite of this advantage his speed dropped, and at Seymour all chance of accomplishing the trip in 24 hours was gone. During the last stage, Gunn suffered severely from his wrists, which were strained through falls and the constant heavy vibration, but he stuck to it, ad succeeded in cutting 3h. 55min off the previous best time. Considering that Gunn had never previously ridden over the route in the Sydney-Melbourne direction, his ride is a remarkable one. He says that if Booth had kept with him he is confident they would have done the trip in 24 hours. Gunn came through without tyre troubles of any land, riding a h.p 8.5. A., with Dunlop tyres. Gunn is 23 years of age, and a native of New Zealand. Previous motor cycle records over this route are;— Time. Rider. State. Date. Hr. Min. J. A. Fair, N.S.W., Oct. 1911 48 40 \V. Tormey, Vic., Dec. 1911 34 3 J. Yee, N.S.W., Jan. 1912 31 19 J. A. Fair, N.S.W. Nov. 1912 29 43 C. Mundy, Vic. Jan. 1913 29 30