Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-06-21
bicycling.
Bicycling.
VIEWED FROM A POPULAR, HYGIENIC AND MATH-
EMATICAL STANDPOINT.

VIEWED FROM POPULAR, HYGIENIC AND MATH-
EMATICAL STANDPOINT.
'Bicycle! Bicycle." greets the ear of every
two-wheeled centaur in his race with Father
Time. The words are shouted with that same
thrilling energy which characterized the cry Of
Fire! Ffre!' They emanate from the sturdy
and gives full chase. No matter how many
miles bicyclist has ridden, every little "Mick''
fees in duty bound to try a race with him. He
usually tries to show his mettle when the bicy-
casually dropped, meet the ear of the rider and
are, by no means, an added Zest. AS the novel;
ty OF the vehicle wears away, however, we ex-
pect to be able to ride without feeling and hear
Ing we are the cynosure OF all eyes.
The "City Of Notions has taken up this new
notion with great relish, and Is not backward
nal. These bicycle clubs, the Boston" sssif-
folk" and massachusetts" named in the order
OF their birth, have sprung forth in the last
year. Under the auspices of the Oldest, Is club
runs have been held, and many club races in
which George L. Agasslz has been the winner Of
the gold medals. His best mile was made In
sm. p rs. This time has not been beaten In this
country. 81. E. Parkhurst has made the best
4cnile and 2O-mile runs, the former In Oh. 36m,
the latter in III. 36m. 1O0-mile run has been
made In Boston In 1124hs. The same distance
In Chs. 3sm. 55s: There, also, it will be remem-
bered, occurred In November last, Cams feat
OF riding within three of 500 miles In four days.
The smooth and level roads OF England, of
bicycling in this country, but, even here, the
day OF n ere probation for the bicycle, whether
OF English or American make, Is already past,
and It Is now In well established favor The
Pope manufacturing company of Boston can
now turn out machines equal to those imported
even the "Duplex Excelsior" The bicycle clubs
OF New York, Montreal San Francisco, Wash
ington and. in fact, In nearly all our large cities
show the popular favor with which they are re-
celved and what paying business can be made
ar 1on,f yroto onv no,eo aoo, ,+,v a., m, 80
the many comments which the bicyclist over
hears, and the truth OF this is manifest when he
passes from behind ttm1d horse. Horses are
becoming accustomed TO the appearance OF this
monster and, even with q timid horse. it is mar
vellOus how q word from the bicyclist proves
that he is merely man. "How fast can you
go?" Is asked on every side. Though difncult
that an ordinary person, with ordinary country
roads, can, with ease, maintain a speed OF 10
miles an hour. II the conditions are more favor
This requires experience, strength, smooth and
level roads. 1t Is surprising how q little mud,
loose stones, sand, ruts or billy road affect the
speed Of the oicySlist The bicycle is, 10 court,
have its share OF the right OF way. In the
spring, when the rider Is obliged to ride In the
rut, an upset or dismount is Inevitable in case
ne Is forced to turn out. A lantern will allow
OF night riding and, as there is no danger except
with reckless driving, the bicycle is destined to
become one OF our most useful means Of transit
L AC IAUCI DACo uIo Cy CO upOu tlc SOME
20 feet In front to guard well against loose
stones which are extremely treacherOuS. Bash
fulLeSS Is BY no means the cause.
AS to the healthfulneSs Of the exercise, any
one can see how the rapid motion would exhila-
rate, and doctors, having examined the n,odus
operandi, assert that, as the feet move up and
down, as In walking or stepping, and not simply
forward and back, as In the case OF the old We
l0cipede, the labor Is very healthful exercise
They, therefore, not only recommend 1t, but
practice what they preach. Hence many physi-
clans, as well as other professional men In this
country, and particularly in England, make use
Of the bicycle on their professional calls. AS to
the labor, 1t is hard. Walking fast Is hard:
running is hard. Bicycling is easier than walk
Ing, II the road Is smooth and level; otherwise
1t Is as hard as running. A novice cannot ride
up the slightest hill without great labor, but
after little experience, he will take any ordi-
nary hill and laugh at his former exertions
There Is no use trying to ride In sand, mud or
loose stones for any distance, and therefore no
hill OF this sort will ever be attempted The
exhil1aratlOn Of raising the feet to the rests and
spinning" down long hill at the rate OF 20
miles an hour Is simply unsurpassed. One dis
likes to be tnsulted he, therefore, hates to have
bis machine called velOcipede. The philosOph-
tcal principle OF the twO-wheel balance Is the
same in both. 1t Is manifest that the following
forces are called into action: momentum, iner-
tia, gravity. The balance is the combined result
Of the three and consists in nothing but con-
tiDued loss and gain of balance. BY turning the
wheel In the direction OF the fall, the balance is
regatned. A BICYCLIsT
rRosfox Tor cp~;oofeJd I,an,,bL;,on