FROM CHRISTCHURCH TO DUNEDIN ON A BICYCLE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1420, 19 November 1885, Page 2

FROM CHRISTCHURCH TO DUNEDIN ON A BICYCLE.

A gentleman who recently made the journey from Christcburch to Dunedin on a bicyole has written a very interesting account of his experiences and impressions for the Chrißtcharch Press. Hia remarks anent Timaru and it* companies and other wonders show that it does nut take a stranger long to learn all thera is ' to be learned of that 'industrious tndgoahead community from a Chmtchurch point of view, while some of those regarding the hills to the south of Timarn proven that the writer is an adept in the use of the "long bow." We make the following exrrocta from bis "No. 2" letter: — The South • road from the Hinds across the Rangitata to Grari is perhaps the most unsatisfactory part of the whole journey to Dunedin. If tha bicycle tourif-t has firmly determined not to Make nse of the railway, his better plan, after crossing the Ashburtoa bridge and passing tha township of Tinwald, is to cross the railway line and take the road over the plains to Peel Forest. The road is an unmetallad and rather rough one, but better than that most dreary track (for it is only a between the Minds and Rangitata rivers. By going up to Peel Forest ihe disagreeable transit of the Rangitata railway bridge is avoided, the river beins> spanned by a good traffic bridge at the Peel; and he enjoys a pleasant change of scenery while riding towards the weatern mountains. After crossing tho Rangitata, and turning big back upon the mountains, there is a very good and 'pleasantly unduliitng road through the pretty township of \Jeraldina all tho way to Tiinaru. lb fact, the road from Geraldine to Timaru is as enjoyable a one as any cyclist may" wiph for. If the tourist, however, does not care to go so far out of hia southward course, 1 would strongly advise him to ride from Ashburton to Winslow, or perhaps to the Hinds (15 miles), and then take his machine by train to Oari, from which there is an excellent and nearly level road to the Washdyke, while the country tliua ridden through is a smiling and fertile land, affording a strong contrast to the w«->ry dry expanse of the Hiods-Rangitata plain. l'nere is a hilly bit of road from Washdyke to Timaru, but ridable. On the bluff to the left is a new Freezing Factory, which is claimed to be the most perfeofc meat'freezing'plant yet erected in,New Zealand. This claim, it is needless to say, is made by the Timaruvians (or TimaruffianS; as some wit has christened the dwellers of the superlative Utile Itown), but as a similar claim has been advanced by these enthusiastic poople for their harbor, their breakwater, and even their Deep Sea Fishing C»mpany, I hope the results of the freezing enterprise may prove more satisfactory, and better bear out the claim of supremity than has been the case with regard to these other undertakings.. Timaru is doubtless, in some i particulars, a town of " Light and Leading," but its quarrel with it* Gas Company has certainly dimmed ita appearance after sundown. I cannot affirm that the street lighting by kerosene lamps is a very brilliant success. The place had a very dim and gloomy aspect as I took my evening stroll through its undulating and winding streets. Next morning the weather was brilliantly fine, and a strong breez* was blowing from the north-east, as I made a fairly early start. The streets as you leave the town by the South toad have soma slnrn risss and falls (rhe one passing Bruee's mills was undergoing &ome ratification of le»<d," and had to. be walked up), which if'bat * foretanto oi

the nut fiVeor six miles over the Titnaru downs to Pareora. The surface of the downs road is very goorf, but the inclina. tion at the tep of the rihes is very steep. I could ride nearly two-thirds of the distance up these ri«ee, but seldom could manage to -surmount the lat-t fifty yards of these Lillfl, whew the rise appears to be one foot in every foot and a half. A Strong and reliable break is absolutely necessary in riding down these hilln; some of them we r e so steep and crooked that 1 deemed it wiser to dismount and walk.