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Cycling and Motoring News.…

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Cycling and Motoring News. -:0:- The Constabulary Gazette gives another instance the utility of the bicycle whereby a dangerous lmuuic was captured. "A lunatic named Michael Carroll, in a half drunken state, visited Clonoghiil, ah'Hit H nries from Birr, and there assaulted Bridget Brien, an old woman, by striking her two blows of an ash-plant on the head. Word was sent to the police at Birr and Crinkle, and the available men of both stations turned out with a view to arresting Carroll-who took across the country. Sergeant Sullivan, of Crinkle Station, and his two available men, were quickly on the scene—Sergeant Kourke and Constable Doian, of Birr, were not far behind on their bicycles—going to the scene at racing speed. Hearing that Carroll crossed over the rifle range in the direction of Ballywiliiam, Sergeant Kourke at once returned to Birr, and going out on the Burke's Hill road came t1 p with his man. The Sergeant passed on not noticing Carroll, who was evidently in a very mad state of mind. The Sergeant got rid of his machine and followed Carroll into Birr and there lodged him safely in Barrack3. Have you seen a copy of the little booklet, All about Dunlop Tyres for 1004? It will be forwarded post free to any cyclist who sends his name and address to the Dunlop Tyre Company at Para Mills, Aston Croas, Birmingham, or to any of the Company's depots. There are many little points in the care of a pneumatic tyre that cyclists should know, and these are fully dealt with in the booklet. It is a well-known fact that, a tyre that is well looked after will last infinitely longer than one that is neglected. A yonth of Worthing has exhibited some of the coolest cheek possible in the matter of cycle [stealing. He stole a bicycle that had been left by its owner outside a. local hotel, and then changed the back wheel, lamp and saddle bag, for similar articles taken from another cycle which had also been stolen. On completing these alterations, he proceeded to calmly ride the cycle about the town without any apparent fear of recognition. Unfortunately, so far as the lad was concerned, the owner was attracted by certain identification marks that appeared on the frame, and receiving unsatisfactory replies to his questions, gave the lad into custody. Two months' imprisonment was the antidote prescribed for cycle stealing. It is somewhat difficult to give an opinion as to whether children or dogs prove the greatest terror to cyclists, but we are inclined to think that children, especially when returning from school, are the worst. It is realiy surprising that more accidents do not happen to youngsters, for they rush across the roads without giving any heed to trafiic that may be passing at the time, and we ourselves, in common with other wheelmen, have had frequently to make a hasty dismount or a sudden swerve, to prevent an accident. In thus paving the children, the cyclists themselves frequently come to harm cases of cyclists having sustained a fall through this cause being by no means few. Only a week or two ago, an arch- deacon ia the West of England sustained serious cuts and bruises from a fall caused by a sudden swerve in avoiding a child; and there are numerous other cases of a similar character which are never given publicity. Another danger to cyclists is the behaviour of many adult pedestrians when hearing a cycle bell. Many cyclists refrain from ringing their bells when they are overtaking a pedestrian either walking along or across the roadway, since many, upon hearing a bell, will make a wild rush in any direction but the correct one. Upon hearing a bell, pedestrians should not change their course, but still walk on and slightly turn their heads to see which way the machine is coming. If this was consistently followed out, the number of accidents occurring would be considerably reduced. When cyclists pass without giving a note of warn- ing, they frequently receive a shower of abuse from the pedestrians for not having rung their bell, whereas it is the pedestrians own fault that the wheelmen prefer keeping silent. The race for the Carwardine Gold Cup, down for decision at the Crystal Palace track on July 2nd, over a distance of 100 miles, promises to provide exceptional interest this year, owing to the rivalry which exists between Oliey, the vegetarian crack, and Meredith. OIley having t, y secured two wins already, requires but another victory to make the cup his own properly, whilst Meredith has only one share in the trophy, having robbed O:Iey last year of first position. Since the National Cyclists'Union has prohibi el motor pacing in amateur events, the race under notice will bo paced by tandems. A very fine ride was done in America on the Charles Hiver Park tract, Boston, by Bobby Waltliour, the famous American pace follower. The ride was achieved in a match against Leander, over a distance of 30 miles, which Walthour not only won by a matter of miles, but put up new ] World's Records from the fourth to the thirtieth mile, which latter distance he covered in 33 mins. 52 2-5 sees. The previous best on record stood to the credit of Tommy Hall, namely 35 mins 14 sees. Mr. J. W. Stocks, who is one of the reserved drivers of the British representatives for the Gordon-Bennett race, makes extensive use of his 12 h.p. De Dion car for transacting business in different parts of the country. A peep into his riding diary reveals the fact that between May 19th and 29th, or we should say, on seven ridii g days, he covered no less a distance than 1,09« miles. During the whole of the distance he only < experienced one involuntary stop caused through ] a stoppage in the carburetter which prevented the ] proper flow of gas. This record for one car shows ) the advance that the industry lia3 made in turning out reliable vehicles. Nor can the fi.,ct be overlooked that the Dunlop motor tyres with j which the car was fitted gave no trouble, beyond 1 a puncture caused by a large nail which would] have penetrated through the cover had it boeu < made of steel. -'0'- The dull and damp days which we have ex- j perienced since the advent f t'le new year have had ] a moat depressing Effect U[ on the cycle and motor industry. However, the long-looked for termini- 1 ation of incessant rainsand floods arrived at Easter, and Old Sol spread his cheerful countenance ( over the face of the land. More bicycles and ( motors will be required this year than ever, and reports from all parts of the country are to the effect that both agents and manufacturers have entered a period of renewed prosperity. Favour- able weather is the only thing needed to level mat- < ters up. r The annual general meeting of the Cyclista' Touring Club was held recently at Westminster, when it was reported that the received subscrip- tions for 1903 were 33,314. To this must be added the candidates for January, 437, February, 685, March, 744, April,710,May,933, June,9G4, July, 997, August, 1,20S, September, 1,208, October, 418, November, 177, December, 76, and the life members (including 18 honorary) 193, when the total for the year ending December 31st, will be found to be 42,141. This total represents a decrease upon the total for 1902 of 3,007, which is in a way regarded as satisfactory, because the decline in 1903 was only half that for 1902. So far multiple speed gears are not very extensively used by cyclists, although many occasions arrive when their benefits would be greatly appreciated. Those riders who had them fitted to their machines during the Easter holidays, speak ) in high terms of their advantages, especially when fighting against the high wind which was blowing. A variation from a sixty to < an eighty inch gear is quite sufficient, the low for uphill work or when riding against the | wind, and the high gear for along the level aid ] when the going is easy. We believe when the merits of the change speed gear are mote generally known a large number of riders will take it np. j — 1 The necessity for something with which to carry water is recognised by many motor-car tourists, and to meet this demand folding rubber pails have been placed upon the market. One of the best of these useful accessories is the Dunlop 1 collapsible bucket. It is made from special cotton sheeting, strong, pliable, and very light in weight, and when not in use folds into space f in. x 10 in. diameter. Owing to the rubber proofing of the bag, it never becomes saturated as in the case of sail-canvas buckets. The first motor car racea to be held in Australia, took place on Sandown race course, on the occasion of the Commercial Traveller's picnic. The races were held under the control of the Automobile Club of Victoria, and about sixty motorists made the run down to the park. There were three races: one over 3 miles for heavy „ 8- — < ) a mfte and a half race for voituretta, won by J. R. Crook, in 3 min. 55 1-5 sees.; and one over the same distance for motor cycles, won by C. May- man, in 2 mins. 42 1-5 sees. It is fully expected that this new sport has a big future before it in Australia. The question of sending J. Arnst-who last year won the Dunlop Warrnambool road race in World's record time-to France, to represent New Zealand in the Paris-Bordeaux road race, was brought up at a meeting of the New Zealand League, and it was stated that to do the thing properly a manager, as well as a trainer should be sent, the expenditure being estimated at 9500. This sum is altogether beyond the Leagues' resources, so unless considerable reductions are made in the estimate, Arnst will not compete in the race. Iver Lawson's appeal against his twelve months disqualification, imposed upon him by:the League of Victorian Wheelmen, for his part in the recent Taylor-Lawson match, where "Major" Taylor was smashed up, was only partially successful. His disqualification was reduced to three months, dating from February 17th. This will mean that Lawson will miss the Sydney Thousand Car-j nival, and also one or two other big meetings, so that as far as he is concerned .he might just as well pack up his traps and leave for America, for by the termination of his disqualification the Australian racing season will be over. Many automobilists are in the habit of pulling up too close to the gutters, and in doing so naturally cause the sides of the tyres to wear out, and sooner or later the canvas layers are exposed. When such damage occurs, it is advisable to have the tyres repaired at once, and nobody but a motor tyre manufacture can do this. The Dunlop Company make a speciality of all kinds of repairs to every description of pneumatic tyres. The Chairman of the Races Committee, the Secretary, and a member of the Committee of the Automobile Club, have all been over to the Isle of Man to insect the proposed course for the Eliminating Trials for the Gordon Bennett Race, and from reports they were quite satisfied with same. The fifty-two mile circuit was covered twice, and on the second occasion the trio were accompanied by the Deemster, who is also the Chairman of the Highway Board. Careful notes of the various parts of the roads needing repairs were taken, and the gradients of the course care- fully studied. Whilst in a slightly intoxicated condition, two pedestrians espied an unattended cycle standing by the roadside at Sandback, and considering that it proved an obstruction to traffic they de- cided that it must be removed. Accordingly they wheeled it for a matter of two miles into the country, and then calmly and deliberately threw it over a fence. They were traced, and after- wards summoned for the offence. Boldly and eloquently putting forward the plea of -drunken- riess,elleir counsel was able to influence the Bench to such a degree as to obtain the acquit- tance or his two clients. ";r~#<s*tgsr ~i V :o: Vi*>* • Tf It is not often that a cyclist charged with furious riding, and admitting a speed of twenty miles an hour on the public way, has the satisfaction of having his case dismissed; but this was the lot of a Brighton cyclist recently. Hia own evidence and hat of a clergyman's, was to the effect that although moving fast he was not riding to the public danger, since the road was broad and straight, and there were no pedestrians or traffic about. This defence was accepted by the Bench, and the case was dismissed. A daring cycle theft has been committed at Maidenhead. A man called at the house of a local resident and asked to see Mrs. Herbert. When she came out to see him, he explained that a very seriou3 accident bad occurred to a man near by and asked whether she would kindly lend him her bicycle in order that he might more speedily get assistance. Promising to be most careful with the machine and to return it within a short while, he rode off, but nothing since has been heard of the man, or cycle, and his story has been found to be an entire fabrication. w-- ■ August 20th is the date decided upon by the Dunlop Tyre Company of Australasia, for holding this year's contest for the now famous Warrnam- bool to Melbourne cycle road race. This event always arouses a large amount of interest in the I I I I Antipodes, indeed, as races 01 its oiasvgo, we consider it the largest and most successful 1 tho world. As in previous years, the Dunlop Company will be holding test races in the different States of the Commonwealth and New Zealand, with the object of selecting representative riders for the 1904 event—the blue riband event of Australasia. The race last year was one of the most successful ever held in spite of the fact that it rained heavily during half the journey, over a hundred riders faced the Mayor of Warrnambool who acted as starter. J. Arnst, of New Zealand, on his Dunlop tyred safety, covered the course in world's record time, the 165 miles only occupying this line rider 7 hours 43 minutes. Before Mr. Justice Walton in the King's Bench Division, a case was recently beard wherein a cyclist sought to recover damages from a carrier of Kingston-on-Thames, who, as long ago as last November, knocked him over owing to negligent driving. It was the usual cause, the driver turning round suddenly without looking back to see what other traffic was approaching. Although the defendant alleged that he gave a warning by holding up his hand, the jury found for the plaintiff and damages to the tune ot £100 were awarded. The Welsh miners are nothing if not thorough sportsmen. Anything with the sligb test semblance to sport draws them in large numbers, and cycle race meetings more particularly so than anything else. Perhaps in the mining district of Tredegar, Monmouthshire, the attraction of cycling is greater than anywhere else, and although this is a fact, it is Strang* that hitherto the district has never possssaed a cycle track. However, a track has now been decided upon, and will be com- menced immediately, banked sufficiently for fast travelling motors. To the credit of the miners it must be stated, that the cost of the track is to be defrayed out of their own pockets, each miner contributing one halfpenny per week out of his wages. Captain Monroe, His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland, in his report for last year, draws attention to the use of cycles amongst the police officers. He refers to the cycle as a useful mode of locomotion," and states that by its use constables can visit their beats more often, and be visited themselves more frequently by their superior officers. He recommends local authorities to do everything in their power to encourage the use of the cycle, and states that the encourage- ment given to such arrangementa by local authorities in counties and burghs, has met with excellent results. A very frequent cause of sideslip 13 the sudden application of the brakes when riding over any roads of a greasy nature. It ca.n rrndily be understood that the application of tlx mding force under such circumstances win the wheels to skid, and wheelmen should t/iierefore practice the habit of always applying Tbo brake gradually. Apart from the liability o 1 slipping, the sharp application of the brake creates all un- necesisary strain on the machine, and unless the rims are perfectly constructed, like in the case of the Dunlop Welch, they might give way alto- gether. The Dunlop Welch Rim is scientifically constructed, and perfectly true in its sectional and circumferential measurements, being suffi- ciently strong for the heaviest rider and to retain its circularity under any braking strain. The uae of motor bicycles and small cars is rapidly extending. Many firms who have travellers constantly calling about the country have provided these machines for their use. There are many advantages attaching to the uso of a motor cycle by commercial men. It is undoubtedly a time saver, inasmuch as the great delays caused by indifferent train service would be dispensed with, and besides, the,pjst works out cheaper, and it is undoubtedly a more pleasant mode of travelling. The upholders of the rational costume have dis- covered a straw to grasp, in an accident which happened at Easter to a lady cyclist of Southampton. She was returning from a tour, and was within R few miles of her home when, a violent gust of wind blew her loose skirts into the spokes of the front wheie:, and her skirts were drawn tightly in between the wheel and the rim brake. She was dragged forward and thrown to the ground with great violence, being severely cut about the face. The injuries have necessitated btC Iftyiog up now for tureo^ or four weeks, but 1UC UUUdUi "v"l" J, • k' again in a short while. Lady cyclists should not ridf in ordinary walking skirts, but should have a costffme specially made for the pastime, which would not possess a. superfluity of fullness. -:0:- The number of motor omnibuses in use are daily increasing, the increase being principally notice- able in the provinces, where these handy and in- expensive vehicles link the outlaying districts with the manufacturing and market towns. Person- ally, we believe the motor bus will finally be more extensively used than light railways. In large towns where the population runs into six figures, the electric trams will be found most convenient and economical, but away from busy centres, where the country is only sparsely populated, the motor bus will hold its own. The initial cost of the generating plant and laying the rails, and the continuous running of the generating engines, would prove too heavy where the number of passengers are limited. The motor-bus service at Torquay, for an example, has proved a marked success, a con- siderable profit having beeh made and a good service provided. In the first nine weeks, over 20,000 passengers were carried at an uniform fare of 2J., and the expense of running has been Averaged out as follows Amount paid for fuel d wages for the nine weeks, average 4.541. per mile; renewals 0.39 pence per mile; and tyres, lubricants, etc., bring the total cost to 5.48d. per mile, or roughly about half the amount of fares received. Brake blocks must at times wear unequally, and brake shoe fastenings give on one side more than on the other. With one block biting more than As fellow, an undue strain is put upon the wheel, and this is greatly nccenuated should the rim be out of truth. On down grades particularly, the momemtum obtained, especially on motor cycles, makes it imperative that this part of the machine should be of the utmost reliability. A rim en which the most skilled work is bestowed is the Dunlop. It is designed especially to undergo enormous braking strains, every rim' being thoroughly tested before being sent out from the works. Cyclists who do not use gear cases, and yet want their machines to run as we'l as possible, must attend to their chains. If neglected, not only will the chain be stiff and wasteful of power, but it will also wear out in less than half the time it would, if it were looked after. The difference in running between neglect and fair treatment is well worth the few minutes' trouble. These remarks apply equally to block, roller, or twin- roller chains, though it is noticeable that whilst roller chains suffer much less in use from mud or wet than block chains, they ara considerably more sensitive to neglect. There is a point about roller chains that is not understood at all generally, and that is, the outside of the rollers do not want oil. The roller turns on the bush when it engages a tooth, hence it is the inside of the roller that wants lubricating. This can only be properly ensured by an oil bath, or by constaiit lubricating. Already the amateur racing men are making a stir in order to get into condition for the approach- ing racing season. The Midland men are in- dulging in some fast riding on the road, whilst the Londoner's—Jenkins and Reed, have defied the cold weather, and put in some training spins on the track. By-the-way, we understand this will be A. L. Reed's last season on the track. Last autumn A. S. Ingram retired, and this autumn Reed will be following suit. They have failen victims to the charms of two young ladies, sisters of a prominent club-mate, who, although he has worked hard for the good of racing, has been in- directly the cause of dealing it a terrific blow by the loss of two such good followers. A considerable amount of annoyance is caused by the fitting of a cheap and common valve to the air tube. Riders who wish to avoid all trouble of this kind should stipulate a Woods valve, as fitted to Dunlop tyres. It is free from all complications, requiring no manipulation further than screwing on the inilator nozzle, while extraordinary care has been bestowed upon its manufacture to ensure the absence of all possible defects. We have frequently heard wheelmen complain of their tyres gradually deflating; the tyre is blamed of course, when in reality the fault rests with the valve. Cyclists who do not possess Woods' valves can have them fitted to their present tubes at a very small cost. Efforts are being made by the Automobile Club to secure permission for holding the Eliminating Trials for the Gordon-Bennett race in the Is!e ot Man. An official has been over to the island, and has discovered a circular stretch of roadway suitable for the purpose required.' In all it is about fifty miles, and although not altogether suitable for high speed—there being many twists and turns and hills-it will provide a very good test of the skill of the drivers and the reliability of the cars. A letter has already been sent to the Lieutenant-General of the Island, asking per- mission to hold the trials on the course selected, and, as in the event of such permission being given, the islanders will financially benefit, it id not thought likely that a refusal will bo given. Apart from benefitting the inhabitants, there would be a considerable saving of time and money to those entering for the trials. If a course cannot be found within the British Islts, the trials will have to be held abroad, in which case not only will the expense be increased, but the money will go into the pockets of foreigners. The hour record, so popular with cycle record breakers aDd the public alike, is likely to occupy pride of place amongst the records achieved on motor cycles. At the present time some half dozen British riders are hankering after this par- ticular record, all eager to crowd fifty miles in the hour, indeed, two or three riders have already applied for the necessary permit, with the object of attempting the ride on the first favourable occassion. Amongst those who have their eyes on this particular record, are G. A. Barnes and T. G. Newman, both drivers of considerable experience. Barnes is the present holder of tho hour record having covered 481 miles in the sixty minutes last year, and Newman's record consistu of a fifty mile run in little over the hour. Tessier and Martin are two other riders who will bars to be recokoned with. -:0:- Wo understand that Mr. E. II. Orimsdell, of the North Iload C.C., when he broke the London to Edinburgh unpaced record by 3! hours, ex- perienced many mishaps on the road, which makes the ride a still more meritorious one. Apart from delays caused by punctures, the record breaker was delayed for over an hour at Borobridge in attempting to make his machine rideable, and this being found impossible, hI) completed the last 120 miles on a borrowed machine. Mr. C. H. Larretto, the cycling authority of the Athletic News, has just given his experience with a pair of Dunlop tyres, and speaking of the expiry of the Dunlop patents, says "I am reminded that the Dunlop patents have not all expired, aa the Doughty patented method of vulcanising is still in-existence, and is superior to every other idea of the kind which has been used for the manufacture of inflated tyres. I can speak with some authority on this matter, as I have a pair on my winter machine, which were sent mo for trial, two or three years, I forget which, ago, when tyres made by it were first placed on the market. Mine have certainly been well looked after, and every surface puncture closed, but they are very little the worse for wear, although they have been in daily use, carrying one of my sons to business and back." The officials at the World's Championships have been very strict with the competitors, as is shown by the following suspensions and fines that have been imposed. Terms of 15 days' suspen- sion for not starting, fell to the lot:of live amateurs four professionals received the same for a similar offence, and in addition fines of 4:4 a-piece, and H. B. Howard was called upon to pay another iCl for having ridden backwards. One amateur has been suspended fo; 3 months for insulting an official. The great motor cycle race for the International Cup, which is to be for motor cyclists what the Gordon-Bennett Cup is to those who favour the lordly car, was decided in France on September 25th, and resulted in a victory for France. The French representatives—Demester, Inghilbert and Lamberjack secured first, third and fourth positions respectively, whilst Austria accounted for second and fifth. The representatives of Denmark, Germany and Great Britain did not finish. The unfortunate result was largely due to the number of punctures which the riders experienced, indeed, it was generally believed that the roads bad been maliciously strewn with nails. Demester punctured twice in the first and second rounds, so fitted a nail catcher; the second man home had three punctures and the third man two, whilst the remaining ridera were even more unfortunate. Australian motorists are delighted at the prospect of an Automobile Reliability trial being held between Sydney and Melbourne (a distance of close upon 600 miles) early next year. The Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Company of Australasia, who propose promoting such an event, have re- ceived promises of support foni the leading motorists of Sydney and Melbourne, who recognise what an interesting and in^-gteve evfcnt such an qverland ride would provide, fpl tb.v rough and practically unmade roads Defoc^n the two capitals. The trial will last over three or four days, probably the latter, the likely stages being Sydney to Goulburn miles) Goulburn to Gundagia, Gundagia to Albury, and Albury to Melbourne. The routes will be examined, controls fixed and direction boards erected by the Dunlop Company sometime this month, when fullei particulars of the competition will be published. G. A. Olley, the speedy rider of the Vegetarian C.C. who was unpaced in the 100 kilometres World's Amateur Championship, has put up G remarkably good performance on Southern Roads, beating the twelve hours' unpaced record bN 4 miles, this too, in spite of considerable dela.) caused by puncture?. Certainly the weatbei and wind were favourable for fast work, but al the same, 203 miles in twelve hours on Southern roads, is a very meritorious performance. Thf old record stood to the credit of J. Dudley Day mond at 198 miles, so Olley is the first rider to cover over 2UO miles in one round of the clock. Every cyclist who has ridden during the "hoop" seMon,n,re aware of the danger caused by youncsters following the pastime of the colde- days. We have frequently commented upon i: ourselves, and again repeat that the practice ol bowling hoops—at least where there is mud trnffic—should be stopped. The mere fact of bowling a hoop does not constitute a danger, it i when youngsters are not capable of controllinf their hoops that the danger arise. Man) wheelmen have mot with nasty accidents owinf to a hoop running right across their path, aiu quite recently at Eastbourne, an old gentlemai lost his life through a cab-horse taking fright at a hoop which had become entangled about its leg-. The police endeavour to put a atop to tip-cat and football in public highways-why not the hoop ? The following, which appeared in a London daily, throws a light on the dangers of cycling a' night in some parts of France, and must make al British wheelmen thankful for the security of their own roads "An a party of four cyclist' were returning in the night from Paris to Caude- bec-en-Caux, one of them, riding in advance, turned a complete somersault over a cord wliiel. had been stretched across the road. Immed iately he was surrounded by a gang of roughs, who set about robbing him, when the other three cyclists came up. The roughs fled, and the fallen cyclist remounted hia bicycle and rode off with his companions. They had not gone many yards before the crack of revolvers was heard, and bullets went whizzing and singing past them. Fortunately no one was hit, though one bullet lodged itself in a tyre. On reporting the matter to the police the latter made no attempt to arrest the highwaymen, but summoned one of the cyclists for riding without a light! -:0:- Since the very first day that the very first cycle mnda its appcarance 011 the road, a certain section Df drivers has feen fit to rcrent the intrusion of wheel r.en, and at times no doubt this emnity on their part 11119 been the cause of many serious accidents. Some drivers make a boast of the number of cyclists they have in their time placed in awkward corners, causing hurried dismounts, run, up banks or off on to the grass and in some cases broken limbs. Thanks however, to the growth of tho pastime and its universal adoption, judges, when running down cases are brought before them, look with more favour on the poor cyclist than was formerly the case, and those men who gloat over the accidents of which they are the cause, generally meet with small quarter at the hands of justice. Running down cases, we are g!ad to say, are nothing like so numerous as at one time was the case whether this is because the drivers have in a degree improved in tone, we are inclined to doubt, but would rather put the improvement down to the fact that the constant nppeamnce of cyclists on almost every road in the kingdom prevent such men from carrying out their dirty work, since a witness of the outrage might appear at any moment. When speaking of cycle relics, the story of the Belgian lady who gazes on the handle bars used by Houben when he defeated the wonderful Zimmerman, the out and out champion of some yCitrs back, generally comes up, but there is another relic which few people know of, and that is Zimmerman's tooth stopped with gold, which was unfortunately knocked out by the rails round Bail's Bridge Track. This tooth is an amateur ns Zimmy was made a professional by the N.C.U. a few days after the race. It is greatly prized by the owner-a member of the Press. It would be hard to err in recognising the Dunlop tyre for motor cycles and pedalling machines for 1904, as a glance at the non-slipping trejid would be sufficient to convince anyone of the tyres br-iug genuine Dunlops. On the tread is n most effective anti-slipping device forming the words, The Dunlop Tyre," and the letters are so ingeniously mouided on the cover that they form an admirable safeguard against skidding, and a! the same time prove an effective guard against tht wheelman being imposed upon with worthless imitations. There is practically no close" season for the sportive policeman in hunting the hapless wheel- man. In the spring and summer months a constant string of charges may be made for furious driving and when the roads become muddy and the going too hard for cyclists to exceed the legal limit, there are the footpath riding charges to keep the gentleman in blue busy. These latter charges are fairly numerous just now, the con- tinual wet having made many a road in an unrideable state, thus inducing cyclists to take to the path. Along such stretches however, II policeman is invariably in hiding and the erring cyclist is summoned for the offence, although at the time it was committed not a soul was using the path. An instance, and a glaring one too, of the inconsistency of the police in this matter came under our very notice this week. From our parlour window we look across into a road that is in such a bad condition that even the carts take to the path-way, in fact, we have observed a policeman stand on one side to let a cart pass. Well, the other day a cyclist ventured to do the same, but the policeman was on him, demanded his name and address, and left with the promise of an early delivery of the blue slip." Whether or no lie will think better of it, we are not yet able to say. At the forthcoming Crystal Palace Motor Show, a speciality which the Dunlop Tyre Co. will be exhibiting, is a new pattern tyre in sizes which they have not previously made, viz., 100 mm and 105 mm. Sections of all tho Dunlop tyres will also be on view, including other specialities of the company such as clothing specially produced for the requirements of motor cyclists, and the O.D.V. cycling capes and overall?", motor car aprons, air cushions and everything appertaining to the equipment of the motor car. All visitors to the show should make a point of calling at the Dunlop stand. Of recent years the gear case has gone consider- ably out of fashion amongst English riders, and it is difficult to account for this action on the part of cyclists, who detest elbow grease on their machines, and more especially the chain, which, when used unprotected requires much more attention than when a gear-guard is fitted. Some machines are built so close that it requires great skill to properly fix a case and once it is removed by the rider, the replacement is not at all easy. Eventually, when the case is once more put in position, there is sure to develop a rattle, which i- irritating, and results in the owner removing the case permanently, and swearing off gear eases in the future. However, there are many advantages in the gear-case when properly fitted to a machine; it prolongs tho life of the rliain, and adds to the easy running qualities of the bicycle, and should, therefore, appeal to the all-the-year-round rider, or "mud.slogcer.'

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