A NEW SPHERE OF BUSINESS FOR COACH OPERATORS
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FIN the first examination, it might be
thought that the cyclist is one of the last persons to whom coach travel would prove interesting. In the vast majority of cases this, of course, is so, but there still remains the. road-racing cycling community, which, subject to proper attention by the operators, ought to prove a fruitful side-line.
In order that they may not cause obstruction, the road-racing cyclists run off their events (which, as a matter of fact, are not massed-start races, but a series of individual trials against the watch) in the early hours of Sunday morning, generally on quiet roads a considerable distance from any town.
As there are so few trains to such places, a considerable number of the competitors stays for the night near the start of the event, a proceeding that, when adopted as a habit, is inclined to be expensive. Another drawback is that the popular houses are liable to be crowded.
With these points in mind, it is likely that the racing man who was offered speedy and comfortable transport from his home district to that in which the race was to be held, and at a cost less than he would pay for supper, bed and breakfast, would find the proposition an attractive one.
To the coach operator the business would certainly be remunerative around the larger centres, such as London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Newcastle, the Yorkshire woollen district and certain others. Some idea of its volume can be obtained when it is noted that there are approximately 200 events every season, each with an average of 100 competitors, in addition to many small club races.
There is great interest taken in every event and, where one man wants to enter, clubs will usually send a team of four, together with a few supporters, so that it is quite likely that one clith will make up a complete load. If, however. this be not possible, the large number of organizations operating in almost every district makes it a simple matter to link up two or more teams in order to fill a coach.
As most of the passengers will be accompanied by their machines, allowance for the space occupied by the latter must be made when fixing the size of the parties, also when calculating the fares.
Only members of cycle-racing clubs are issued with lists of fixtures and the dates, so that it is impossible for the ordinary coach proprietor to send out specimen prices before big events.
However, the best way to acquaint the racing clubs with the transport facilities offered is to circularize the secretaries of local bodies (a list giving names and addresses will be found in the " Cycling Manual," published by Temple Press Ltd., price is.), stating that quotations for transport for passengers and machines to and from races will be supplied on request.