There is one thing certain about records in cycling, and that is they are made to be at least they are no sooner made than critics begin to talk of what will presently be done. Take f-r example the marvel-us mile of the littly wonder, Pl-tt-Betts. It figures as 1 min. 37 3-5th secs., absolutely the fastest mile yet recorded in the world, eclipsing all previous bests, including the wonderful times made in America, but no so ner is it wce"mplished than 1 min. 30 secs. is glibly talked of san achievement to be expected shortly. That it will some day be done is within the bounds of probability, but it is a pity to discount the present best, by guessing ut future betterments. Gear, and improved pacing enter largely into these Itest records. As Platt-Betts raises his year, 8" also his performances improve, and" his Istest success was on a machine geared to 104. This alone differentiates such a ride from any, road cycling, and the imitation of such a year by ordinary tourists for practical daily use would be utter folly.
Betts, as well as Linton, will mike his bow before the Culonial race-going public during the coming racing season, as ho leaves this week-on the P. & O. liner for Melbourne. The visit of Stocks turns out to bea rumour only, as after the end of the present English season, this rider, whose career is a longer one than any other first-class ricing man's at present riding, will enter into well-earned rotirement, Barden and Chinn ate resting at prevent; compulsorily, as they have been suspended for afew weeks by the Neweastle of the National Cyclists? Union, for failing to put in an appearance xt a meeting where they had duly entered, and were legally bound to compete. Other racers who acted in the same way, and have disregarded the request of the Union to explain their action have been suspended until they choose to answer to the charges brought against them, and this punishment excludes them from all racing at home or abroad, owing to the international agreement between the Engl'sh and foreign race-controlling bodies, After all, the classical Cuca Cup will be tun for, now that the holder, Mr. F. Goodwin, has been refurnished with' his amateur license. Owing to the Inteness of the season, the conditions for a twenty-four hours' race will not be so favourable as at mid-summer, and in order that there may be enough interest to attract the public, el arrangement has been made to start a twelve hours' race with a new sot of competitors, for the second half of the event. This complication will make the twenty-four hours' men mok a trifle slow hen say their thittoouth hour is being compared with the coincident fast first hour of the new race. However, there does not appear to be a prospect of a great crowd aspiring to the twenty-four hours' track honours, aye The police crusade against pace on the famous London to Brighton road continues, and at one of the towns on the way a smart pst of constables in plain clothes have been mounted ona tandem safety to give stern chase to escaping offenders, That the police only object to pace at unsuitable times, on holi ays, Saturday afternoons, and crowded occasions, is hewn by their taking no steps against the tecordbreakers over the course. Itis tle practice, however, of these record-breakers to ride in the early -hours starting at the first streak of dawn and finishing before any of the ordinary traffic of the day begins. It would-be absolutely impossible "for them to urge their wild caréera at soy
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.