2O Miles In Under

Rarotonga Cycle Race

An Hour

RAROTONGA’S annual bicycle \ race around the island’s twenty miles of rough coral road took lace on April 11, Easter Monday.

This race is an endurance test )th for riders and their machines. ; the road is in a poor state after ie recent rains, and the average lade temperature and humidity ?ures for this time of the year •e 78 degrees and 91 per cent, re latively.

The cycles used are heavy roadsters ith two-inch balloon tyres, which ake heavy going over the sandy itches, but are sturdy enough to and up to the punishment in cted upon them by the course.

Under the ruling of the Raro nga Sports Association, the cycles ay be stripped, but must retain e balloon tyres. Most of the riders' lining takes place on the roller cks of the Fruit Packing Sheds, ,th a little evening road work rown in.

Each of the six villages entered ree representatives, and there was ;o a separate Women’s Race of li les. 3n Race Day the riders were pre ied by a Police car which kept ? road clear of pedestrians and ndering livestock, and a break wn truck and an ambulance fol ded the cyclists.

Vlanoa Heather won the Men’s ce in 56 minutes 6 seconds. This the second successive year that has won, and the fifth con :utive year that the winner was member of the Heather family.

'Jga Carlson won the Women’s ce again this year for the fourth isecutive year.