The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-05-05

THE BICYCLE.-For the benefit OF the
many ardent youths in the city who
are taking lessons in the "manly art"
of learning to ride the bicycle, we pub.
fish the following rules prepared by
one who has thoroughly mastered this
latest humbug:
Rule l. After yo2Shave made. up
your mind that you were born for
or your ordinary pedal locomotiOn will
ingly admits of, the first thing to do Is
to buy velocipede; and II you wish to
show your grace and dexterity, be sure
and invest in bicycle.
Rule 2. Avoid all liquids which tend
to unsteadiuess; divide your pennies so
that an equal number shall occupy
upon your head it might be we'll to
carry a spirit-level, the better to ac-
complish this). Either leave your watch
with your uncle, or buy another for
your other vest pocket, in order that
the weight OF one may not throw you
out of balance. Also avoid tobacco,
unless you put quid in either cheek;
and be sure that your cigar be held in
the centre of your mouth; also, part
your hair in the middle.
Rule 3. Mount your machine. If you
don't succeed at first, try again; it's
| good exercise for a beginner. In this
connection 1t might be we'll to suggest
that the rider get himself upholstered.
The limbs may not work as freely, but
1t saves the skin.
Rule 4 Balance yourself. This may
seem trifle difficult at first. but it be-
comes quite easy after you learn how.
Rule will now come into actual use,
and if it has been honestly complied
with, you will probably be able to bal-
| q hoC lie
tation takes hand. If this well-known
law should attempt to spoil your pleas
ure, change your tactics, and look out
for breakers. If you are practicing in
the presence of ladies, or even pro-
mIscuous company, act as graceful as
possible. Ifyou tumble over, repeat it,
smilingly. Never get red in the face;
| it is apt to be taken advantage of by
| spectators, who often think such things
| funny.
Rule 5. After having acquired the art
of balancing yourself, raise your feet TO
the cranks, and push out, the more the
| better, provided you keep at 1t. Don't
stop, unless you come in contact with
something you cannot surmOunt, in
which case, it you still maintain your
seat and your upright, back out with all
the grace you possess. Never allow
your bicycle to get on top OF you; 1t
learns it bad tricks, besides being bad
loE Iue pEOJeCLIuB auBAeS VI JOuL ohNU-
omy.
Rule 6. When you conclude that you
have mastered the forward motion in IA
straight line, try your hand at curve.
| These curves should be as long as pos
sible at first, since new rider is very
apt to obey the laws ofinertia, and con-
tinue to move in straight line after the
machine is turned in circular one.
This is regarded by most people as a
spill. The surest way is to keep up your
curve until you have described circle,
and when you find yourself in the ring
stick to it until you are satisfied; 1t
| don't take long.
Rule 7. After having learned all sorts
OF forward motions, if you are DESTROYS
of putting on few more emotional
trills, try the backward motion. Don't
be too confident of astonishing any body
but yourself by this movement; 1t re-
Quires something more than cheek to
make it n success. You will find your
bicycle inclined to lie down. This must
be guarded against since it takes the
poetry all out of the motion, and is not
exactly what might be called triumph
of genius.
Rule s. Never attempt any extra frills
until you are sure OF making the point
intended. Never attempt to ride your
bicycle up an inclined plane, and stand
on the saddle when near the top; gravt-
tation is still in active operation. And
finally, when you have mastered your
machine, and fondly imagine you can
beat anything on wheels, don't under
take to keep ahead OF an express train,
on the same track; there is some speed
in locomotives yet, and if it should hap
pen to oVertake you, it might scratch
some of the paint from your bicycle,
and make it look bad.