From: tim@fgh.fgh.oz.au (Tim Chambers)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: More Historical Views
Date: 20 Jan 93 22:48:57 GMT
Organization: FGH Decision Support Systems Pty Ltd, N. Sydney, NSW, Aus.

Well, here's some more of the introduction from the (1896 edition of the)
_Cyclists'_Touring_Guide_of_New_South_Wales_ by Joseph Pearson:


			    HILL RIDING.

  As most parts  of New South   Wales are of  a hilly  nature,  I will
give one or two hints   which I  have no doubt   will  prove useful to
my riding friends.  In  descending  hills,  the  greatest  elements of
danger are  gradient,  length   of descent, and bends,   and often the
termination  is a stream   of water, with deep   sand, or  boulders of
stone.  Then,   passing vehicles,    droves  of  cattle   and  often a
wagon  drawn right  across   the  road, with the    object of  resting
the horses, will be  met.  Unless  the machine  is well under control,
an accident is almost   certain.  Therefore, never go   at too great a
pace down the  hill;  always apply  the brake  at  the commencement of
the descent, and  keep  the  machine well  in  hand till  reaching the
bottom.  On  approaching a   hill,  if  you feel   at  all distressed,
dismount and walk up.  You   will find that you   benefit by it before
the day's journey is over.


                        WHAT TO DRINK ON TOUR.

  If you are not very thirsty, do not  drink for the sake of drinking.
I know that  on a   hot, sultry   day it is   a great   temptation, on
reaching  a running stream, to dismount and drink, but avoid it if you
feel you can do without  it.  However,  when you   require a  drink, I
believe water  is  the best.    On an extended tour,  I always carry a
small canvas water bag, as in many parts water is not  obtainable for,
 perhaps, 20  miles or  so,  especially in  the summer season.  I also
carry a small  portion of  oatmeal to  mix with the  water; I  find it
quenches  the thirst,  and  is  also  very strengthening.   After  the
day's journey is over, perhaps  a drink of weak   whisky and water may
prove a benefit if much exhausted.


                              CLOTHING.

  One of the most important requirements   is to have proper clothing.
Discard everything of  a cotton  substance,  let  everything be  of  a
woolly nature.  The  sweaters, now so  much used    for general riding
and touring,   I have  worn for years, and   have always   found  them
most  comfortable.   They  allow   a free current of  air through, and
no matter how   damp they   may get,  always seem  to be  possessed of
considerable warmth.


			      LUGGAGE.

  It is always advisable, in fact  indispensable,  to have a change of
clothing when you reach your destination   at night, to resist a  cold
and make yourself comfortable;  therefore  take  as    many  necessary
 articles   as   you  can conveniently  carry.  Included  in the  list
should be  a  pair  of  good flesh  gloves, for a rub  down after  the
bath.  The best  way  to carry  the heavy part  of your  luggage is to
have it wrapped up in   a piece of waterproof material and strapped to
the  crossbar  of the  frame.   A wallet   on  the handle  bar is very
convenient, but as there  is sufficient  strain on the  front forks of
the machine,  I should  not advise   you to   carry anything  of  much
weight there.  A waterproof cycle cape should also be carried.


                          CHOICE OF MACHINE.

  Do not  be persuaded,  on account   of  cheapness, to  get a  common
make of machine.  It is  poor  economy,  even if  short  of funds,  to
have one  that is  constantly in  want of  repair.   Nothing  is  more
annoying  to the tourist than when miles away from a  railway station,
 oe even habitation,  to  have a break down.   So  take  advantage  of
the  advice I   offer.   Before starting   each morning, or,  what  is
 better,  the  night   before,   if  possible,  carefully  examine all
nuts, screws, tyre,   brake, &c; oil your   bearings, and see that all
is correct, and you  will probably  save much trouble  thereby, as you
are not much  inclined  to attend   to  these matters  in  the  middle
of your day's journey.


                         THE BEST TIME TO RIDE.

  There is  great  exception  by many   to  summer  riding  on account
of  the excessive heat, but  there  is  no doubt  about  it being  the
best time of the  year to tour,  as the  roads  are usually unrideable
in winter  time,  especially  in some   of  the   country  parts.    I
usually make  an  early  start,  even  at daylight, and ride, perhaps,
20 miles before breakfast,  then an hour's rest, and another 20 before
the  sun gets  too powerful,  making another start about four o'clock,
and covering,  perhaps,  25  or  30 miles  more   before dark.  It is,
perhaps,  a   little  objectionable   to  do  such   a   long distance
before breakfast, but, as in most   places you  can arrange some  milk
and eggs beaten  up before getting  away,  the  rider  will  find that
he  can  easily  accomplish  the  distance  without  fatigue.     Most
emphatically  would I   impress   on the tourist to  make every effort
to reach  an hotel before  dark, as it certainly is not safe to travel
 on an unknown road at  night,  and probably prevents you getting your
meal  comfortably,   which   is of   great   importance,  for  without
proper food, you  will not be  in a condition  to do the  work that is
needed.

--

The next installment of _Cyclists'_Touring_Guide_of_New_South_Wales_ will
contain tips on Tourists' Road Maps, Touring for Ladies and some Final Hints.
-- 
Tim     __o
        \<,         "The more you drive, the less intelligent you are."
     ( )/ ( )                     - Miller in _Repo_Man_
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~