Sporting & General Medals, Badges & Awards - Cycling

Lot 1449    SESSION 5 (9.30AM TUESDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER)    Sporting & General Medals, Badges & Awards - Cycling (1

Estimate $5,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $3,000

NEW ZEALAND CYCLISTS' ALLIANCE, handcrafted in two toned gold (probably 9ct, 15.0g, 40mm), no maker, scroll and ring top suspension, reverse inscribed 'Annual Interprovincial Races/Dunedin/16th Feby.1889' and '5 Miles/Amateur Championship Of New Zealand/1st Prize/Won By/W.H.Langdown/Time 18.23 4/5'. Extremely fine, in a contemporary fitted case, an extraordinary example of early Colonial craftmanship.

The following account of the race courtesy National Library of New Zealand - Papers Past - from "Otago Witness" 21st February 1889:

"The annual interprovincial bicycle races of the Dunedin Cycling Club were held on the Carisbrook ground on Saturday afternoon. There was a very fair attendance of the public. The arrangements in connection with the sports were carried out in a model manner, and the officers of the club must be congratulated upon their success.

The only fault was that the programme was much too long, and many people had to leave before one of the most important races was finished. The racing was, on the whole, very interesting; while the local men were successful in winning a large share of the prizes, it was particularly gratifying that the visitors from Christchurch and Oamaru did not go away empty-handed. Indeed, the two Christchurch men, Langdown and Wilson, succeeded in carrying off the principal prizes, while Weir of Oamaru, who rode in very good style, also won a good race. Major Goring, Messrs W.Crow, and J.Edmond, junr., acted as judges, Mr S.M.Park as starter, and Mr F.Hyams and Mr F.Ricketts as timekeepers.

N.Z. Cyclists' Alliance Championship Five-mile Bicycle Race.- First prize, gold medal; second prize, silver medal; third prize, bronze medal. W H Langdown (Pioneer Bicycle Club (Christchurch) 1; C R Wilson (Pioneer Bicycle Club, Christchurch) 2; S B Steadman (Dunedin Cycling Club) 3; James Howlison (Dunedin Cycling Club) 0; James Weir, (Oamaru Cycling Club) 0.

This race was the championship event allotted by the New Zealand Cyclists' Alliance (the governing body of cycling in New Zealand) to the Dunedin Cycling Club, and was competed for by members of the clubs affiliated to the alliance, the prizes being the alliance medals. A good deal of interest was attached to it from the fact that two of the crack riders from Christchurch - viz., Langdown and Wilson - were to compete with the local men. H.A.Soanes, a Christchurch man, who has rapidly come to the fore front of racing bicyclists, and who recently distinguished himself by winning the 10-mile championship of New Zealand, had also entered, but unfortunately had not been able to get away for the meeting. This left the issue practically between Langdown, Wilson, and Steadman, for it was recognised that neither Howlison nor Weir had any chance.

Of the other three Wilson, owing to the fine form which he displayed in the previous races, was the most fancied, but several of the old hands predicted a win for Langdown, who had apparently been reserving himself for this event. Steadman, though he had established an enviable reputation both here and in the old country, was looked upon as altogether out of form, for, owing to a severe spill, which had rendered him insensible for some little time, he had not been on his machine for nearly 10 days. Weir started to make the pace for the first round or two, but retired, soon to be followed by Howlison. The other three riders kept close together, and rattled off mile after mile at a fair rate. Wilson and Steadman took turns at making the pace, and Langdown kept all the while discreetly in the rear. Steadman's pretty style of riding was much admired, as he held himself well and used his ankles finely. Langdown also rode in good style, also using his ankles to great advantage. Indeed every muscle of his legs could be seen doing its share of work, and his only fault was that he bent his body overmuch. Wilson, on the other hand, rode a little stiffly, so far as ankle play was concerned, and it was recognised that this would militate against his sucsess when it came to spurting.

Round after round was rattled off without anything of importance occurring, and it was not till the last half-mile of the journey was entered upon that the real racing commenced. Wilson then shot past Steadman, who was leading, Steadman made an effort to get to the front again but failed, and Langdown then began to come up. The three kept close together, and at the back of the course in the last lap Wilson still led, with Steadman second. Langdown's time had now come, and straining every muscle he came amid loud cheers with a splendid spurt, and getting to the front at the final bend he rushed up the straight at a rattling pace and won a grand race by a couple of lengths, Steadman easing up a dozen lengths behind. Time, 18min 28 4/5sec."