Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 518, 22 November 1928, Page 11

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By *

“CYCLOS ”

Sunday’s club run of the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club was well supported by members, 28 in all participating. The 9.45 a.m. vehicular ferry was taken to Northcote, from where, under the able leadership of club captain Casey, the company proceeded in orderly formation to Milford Beach. During the forenoon swimming and games occupied the time, and after lunch a series, of novelty events were held. The social committee, whose annual dance on November 7 proved successful both socially and financially, provided three useful prizes for the competitions. Intense interest centred in the final of the slow cycle race, which was run off in heats. In the final E. A. Cleaver emerged triumphant after displaying splendid control of an almost stationary cycle. Standing perfectly still was prohibited, otherwise the event may have been an endurance test between several who were competing. W. Dwight was successful in obtaining the highest number of points in the events. Obviously a most enjoyable day was spent, and it is the intention of the social committee to hold runs of a Sunday every fortnight, in view of the fact that such interest was taken in the initial run of the season. The Lynndale Club will be holding its first meeting at its track in Astley Avenue, New Lynn, on the afternoon of Saturday, December 1. Several Manukau wheelers cycled out on Saturday last to get familiar with the recentlyformed. fast, clay-surfaced track. Several improvements are necessary before actual racing can be held upon it; two bends in particular gave cyclists trouble owing to the loose surface. However, the officials, who have done excellent work during the short time they have been in office, have been offered the use of the New Lynn Borough’s grader, with which they intend to bank the corners during this week. After such treatment the track will undoubtedly be the fastest at present available for use in Auckland. The entries for the meeting close on Thursday of this week, and may be handed in to the secretary of the Manukau Club. The Lynndale Club is assured of the full support of the Manukau wheelmen, who are enthusiastically looking' forward to racing on such a fast tr.ack. A run, leaving tho Ponsonby Reservoir at 1.30 p.m., for the above-mentioned track, will be held next Saturday. m * * This rim will in no way interfere with the touring section’s week-end trip to Waiwera and Warkworth. The tourists intend leaving by the vehicular ferry at 1.30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, November 24, proceeding to Waiwera that afternoon, and the next day going on to Warkworth, from which the return to Auckland will be made direct. Any cyclist who is fond of touring with companions, should take every opportunity to participate in the trip for this phase of the pastime, from which healthy recreation and a first-hand knowfedge of the country traversed can be obtained, is perhaps the best. The humble bicycle is the best means of locomotion from every point of view, and as far as touring is concerned, very few in this country have tasted the delights of a cycle tour. There are hundreds of cyclists in Auckland alone who would be all the better, physically, mentally, and in every other way, by using their cycles in this direction. * * * At present the Manukau Club is awaiting a reply from the Parks Committee of the City Council regarding permission to use the inner Domain track. It 4j r as pointed out in the letter that up till two years ago every opportunity was given cyclists to train upon this track, but during the last two seasons cyclists are forbidden to use the track mentioned other than for actual racing. This absence of suitable training facilities has added largely to the lack of enthusiasm shown in track racing of late. The use of the track again would naturally give the required impetus to the sport, and it is hoped that the Parks Committee will be able to grant same. If sufficient support is forthcoming the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club wilf hold a track race every Wednesday evening on the Auckland Domain. That track cycling is certain to boom again in Australia this season is shown by the great success of the first meeting held early this month, when 20,000 wheel enthusiasts witnessed some brilliant professional and amateur turns. Among the amateurs J. Standen, the Olympic rep., was the big man of the day, by clinching the half-mile handicap off ~ fair mark. In thp “pro.” events Horace Horder, brother of the famous sprint champion, triumphed in the mile handicap and five-mile scratch race. Cycling had a serious set-back in the Commonwealth when the dirttrack motor racing was introduced, but now, with the fast board track under construction in Sydney, wheelmen are bound to draw the crowds of old. Mr. George Sutherland, well-known here as the manager of the Blandford Park Stadium and general sports promoter, left recently for Wellington. George is in demand in the Capital City to supervise the building and opening of a new motor race-track. Willie Spenser, one time U.S.A. sprint champion, who visited New Zealand a short time ago, is figuring rather prominently in American cycling circles at the present time. He and a. select band of sprint wheelmen have cut loose from the American Cycling Road Racing Association, and not least, from the managership of John Chapman, who is the promoter of all the big cycling turns in the States. Willie and his colleagues now have a hard row to hoe, for Chapman is recognised as holding about the same position in the cycling world as Tex Rickard does in boxing. TRACK CYCLING EVENING MEETINGS COMMENCE EVENTS ON THE DOMAIN Eighteen riders started in the twomile handicap promoted by the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club, as the first of a series of Wednesday evening track races held on the Domain yesterday. The race resulted: D. Hope, 190yds, 1; F. C. Henwood, 140yds, 2; S. Baird, 140yds, 3. Time, 4.52. Won by a length, a similar distance between second and third. Wade, the scratch man, tailed to get up until about the last 300 yards, when he found it an almost impossible task to break through a big bunch. Nankivell, of 30yds, rode well, and had the field in the last lap, but he also failed to find an opening. Next Wednesday a mile handicap will be held for A and B class riders. THE CASH RIDERS The Auckland Professional Cycle Club also commenced its evening track races, when a mile handicap, with eight starters, was held. This race resulted: F. Potter, 100yds, 1; J.

Henderson, 90yds, 2; D. Storey, SOyds, 3. Time, 2.26 2-5. Won by half a length. Lindop, on scratch, quickly caught Mathieson off 25 yards, and the pair made a brilliant effort to close the gap between them and the frontmarkers, who kept up a smart pace throughout. It was soon evident that Lindop and Mathieson were out of it, and interest was centred on the front men. Going along the back straight in the last lap Healey drew away from the field, but coming into the home straight he slackened a deal, and was challenged by Potter, who drew Henderson and Storey with him when he raced past, to win by half a length. The next event will be held on next Wednesday week.