Christchurch Cycling Craze #12 - Scorcher Jones - Lancaster Park circa 1890

"Scorcher Jones" - Clement Goodwin Jones (1875?-1908) being paced by a quad team of cyclists at Lancaster Park, circa 1890. Photo: Standish & Preece. Christchurch City Libraries.

Scorcher Jones was a well-known competitive cyclist in Christchurch and New Zealand in the 1890s and early 1900s. In the above photo he can be seen being assisted by a quad team in a track trial. The quad or tandem teams would pace the trialist, helping to create a draught that allowed the cyclist to ride in the slipstream.

Clement Jones was employed as a manager at the Star Cycle Company on Colombo Street, later moving to Best & Towne, cycle makers and repairers in Manchester Street.

Scorcher graduated to motor cycles in the early twentieth century. Sadly, it was to be an ill-fated transition. While practising for a 5 mile motor cycle race at Lancaster Park in December 1908, the front wheel of Scorcher's machine collapsed, causing him to crash into a picket fence, killing him.