FIVE NIGHTS WITHOUT SLEEP

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2433, 23 October 1886, Page 2

FIVE NIGHTS WITHOUT SLEEP

With few exceptions, each. rider who lias attempted tho-900 miles journey from Land's End to John o' Groats has " lowered the record" made by his prodecessors; tho last occasion being when Mr James Lennox, of Dumfries, this year covered the ground in six days 8J- hours. This performance, it was thought, would stand some beating; but a surprise has just been furnished by a .cyclist, Mr George P. Mill, who, to the astonishment of all "knowing ones" recently rodu from point to point in tho marvellous time of sdays 1& hours, thus cutting out Mr Lennox performance by no less than thirty-one hours.. Tho weather, however was to Mr Mills moro friendly than to Mr Lennox, who rode through a constant downpour of rain, varied by three thunderstorms, Mr Mills is tho sou of a Liverpool cotton merchant, and is still uuder twenty years of age. He is a meinbor of the Anfield Bicycle Club, one weli known for tho riding power of its members. To 'cyclists Mr Mills ut knowu as a ridcV of groat staying power, he having last year covered the extraordinary distance of 250 miles in one day. This feat, eclipsing as it does all other eno-day rides, naturally led Mr Mills to attempt the Land's End to John o'Groat's journey. Leaving Cornwall on Sunday, July 4th, at midnight, ho turned his face northwards, and by dint of hard riding managed to reach Edinburgh by Wednesday night—s7o miles distant from Land's End, During these three days Mr Mills had slept but forty-live minutes, and jit was with difficulty that his friends, who receivod him in Edinburgh, could keep him'awake. The want of sleep had told terribly on the young rider, and by those who saw him it was thought that lie would bo quite unlit to proceod on his jouruoy. It is customary with tho "record- broaker" to carry with him a notebook in which he may receive tho signatures of trustworthy persons in each town to prove tho genuineness of his ride. When asked to produce this book, to such a stato had the want of sleep reduced Mills that, besides being unable to apoak he could not oven draw his book frouijhis pocket, Mills was assisted into a hotel, and after a slrat stay was conducted to Granton by his friends. Ho crossed in tho mid-night luggage boat to Burntisland, and, after a few hours' rest, again mounted his machine, and, striking the Great Highland road at Perth, pushod on northwards. On Saturday news reached Edinburgh that at 1,30 that morning Mills had reached John o' Groats, thus performing what may be said to be ond of tho most extraordinary feats over recorded in the annals of 'cycling. From point to point Mr Mills has traversed tho 000 miles in the marvellously short time of 5 days U hours, of which time but 6 hours was given to sleep. Jn round numbers Mr Mills has foriivo consecutive days covered 180 miles daily.