A CYCLING RECORD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 145, 28 September 1910, Page 8

A CYCLING RECORD

CHRISTCHURCH TO DUNEDIN. By Telegraph,—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. Birch, the well-known New Zealand cyclist, at six o'clock this morning started out from Chrisitdiuroh to Duneddn on an attempt to cover title distance within twelve hours. The official record stands to the credit of A. Calder, whose time, 18 hours l"2min, was put up in 1899, bait J. Arnst some two years ago covered the distance in 12 houra 21jnin. A 9 Argst, however, was at that time a disqualified rider, the League refused to recognise the performance. Last- April Birch made an attack on the record, but sustained a heavy fall when victory was well witihin his grasp. On the 20bh inst. 'he made another attempt, but had to give up at Timaru, owing to a heavy ihead wind. To-day he was more fortunate, for he succeeded in covering tfhe distance in IShoure 57min, which, although 36 minutes over Arnst's time, establishes a new official record for the distance (243 miles). He had a very fayorabde journey excepting that he met with long stretches of newly-laid metal between Oamaru and Palmers ton. He also broke all records between Christchurch Timaru (112 miles), which 3ie covered in 4 hours 43%' min. 1 Birch received a great reception from the public on reaching the Dunedin Post Office. ■