Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 386, 21 June 1928, Page 8

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By “VELOS"

Next Saturday’s races at Mangere are as follows:—Manukau Amateur Cycle Club, 17 mile open handicap and 5i mile Junior Handicap (for riders under 16 years of age) Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club, 14 mile open handicap. Racing by both clubs is timed to start sharp at 2.30 p.m. Weather conditions on Saturday afternoon were so atrocious as far as road racing was concerned that no one would have thought it possible for any rider to have thought of racing. This, however, was not the case, with 14 riders —some of them only boys well under 16 years of age—belonging to the Manukau Amateur Cycle Club, who journeyed per bicycle to Mangere in the pouring rain, to take part in the club’s advertised week-end road races. Secretary Les Wilson knew that there would be something doing, so mounted his motor cycle shortly after 2 p.m. and made haste to the starting post 12 miles away. Arriving there, he was not a bit surprised (as he so seriously put it) to find quite a number of riders waiting for him. It was quickly decided to cut out the 5£ mile junior race, and to hold the 5£ mile open event only, which proved to be a first class race. A TEST OF NAVIGATION The rain (accompanied by a huricane gale) had been falling in torrents all the afternoon, seemed to take pity on the riders as they got on their marks, and eased off a little. It held off during the running of the race, but riders had a very wet time negotiating the miles. The road in many places was under a solid sheet of water six inches deep for many yards, giving the riders a thorough ducking. It was a day to be remembered by those who competed. D. Fletcher, the winner of the “mud scramble,” evidently loves the wet going. He rode a wonderful race, considering that he is only a boy. Starting off the 2m mark, he soon picked up C. Francis (20sec) ahead of him and

these two practically held the field all the way, winning in that order. The winner put in a great finishing run, beating Francis by 50 yards. He was mentioned in these notes some weeks ago as being a rider of considerable promise, but Velos will go still further now, and say, that the winning of a New Zealand championship is not beyond the possibilities of this promising youngster. C. Francis, who finished second, put up a good ride but had had enough at the finish. FINE PACE-MAKING H. Dwight and F. J. Casey (15sec) gave J. H. Wade (scratch) the race of his life. They paced each other like clockwork over the whole journey, and did it so well that they not only held their 15sec handicap at the finish, but actually gained 2 3-ssec on him Dwight mating Casey in a stirring ride, for fastest time. “Hen” Dwight is probably riding better at the present time than he has ever done, and on his recent performances has qualified for the mark of honour. The meeting of Byrnes, Wade and Dwight in Saturday week’s 11 mile club championship should be a finish well worth seeing. RIDERS DISSATISFIED WITH CENTRE At the monthly meeting of the Manukau Amateur Cycle Club held recently, it was decided to cut out all 5* mile events. Riders were of the opinion that the distance was too short to be of any use to them in preparing for the longer distanced races. Mention was also made by several riders that the prizes won by them in the 50 mile New Zealand, and the 50 mile Auckland road championships last year had not yet been paid over by the Auckland Centre. Dissatisfaction was also expressed at the centre’s action in not replying to correspondence in reference to this year’s Auckland 50 mile road championship. Entries close this week for the

Manukau Club’s senior and junior road championships. The former will be held over an 11 mile course, while the latter will be over 5& miles. Both events are set down for Saturday, June 30, at Mangere. No course is better suited for this particular class of racing. It is 5J miles round and is tarsealed all the way. Although it is one of the favourite Saturday afternoon motor drives around Auckland, and always a crowded one, riders are loud in their praises of the treatment meted out to them by drivers of cars. As soon as it becomes known that a race is in progress, drivers give riders every consideration. The thanks of the promotors and contestants is due to all drivers for the considerate way they pull to the road side to allow a bunch of riders to pass, and also for assistance rendered at all times when riders have met with an accident. WORK OF BRIGADE APPRECIATED The St. John Ambulance Brigade, better known as the “Zam Buks,” never miss having an officer at Saturday. Last Saturday, in spite of the heavy rain which fell, he was there, ready to attend to any falls or accidents that should occur. The ride he had back to Onehunga, on the back of Secretary Wilson’s motor cycle in the heavy rain, should not be forgotten by him for some time. The cash riders postponed their 14 mile event at midday. It is intended to hold this race next Saturday when the same handicaps will stand for the event. ECHO OF TE AROHA AFFAIR A meeting of the executive of the Northern Athletic Union will be held on Monday, July 2, in the Borough Council room, Te Aroha, at 7 p.m. The business to be transacted is to decide protests: hear appeals, and to discuss several important general matters. No doubt the principal business to be decided will be the liearfng of charges against leading New Zealand wheelmen by local riders of collusion at last Easter Monday’s sports meeting at Te Aroha. Rumour also hath it that the lap scorers at this meeting might be asked to "please explain.”