Morning journal and courier., 1883-12-03
'CyclIsss, Bicycles and Tricycles.

From the New York Hour.l
 The good and bad points of bicycles and
 tricycles have once more become subject of
 popular discussion on account of the recent
 decision of the park commissioners. 'Cy-
 clists are now allowed, with certain restrIc-
 tions, to practice their graceful art on River
 side avenue, and there is joy in their ranks.
 There are two principal reasons for the slow
 growth of cycling in general favor; one IS
 an undefned doubt as to its heathfulness,
 and the other fear that it cannot be prac-
 tfsed in or near a large city without consider
 able danger, both to the votaries of that
 means of progression and to the occupants
 of carriages and other vehicles. AS to the
 danger to cyclists, only the rash incur it.
 There IS no case on record of serious damage
 to a prudent rider. If man emulates the
 pace of 8 railway train on a strange high
 way, or on a road encountered by miscella-
 neous traffic, he may come to grief. He cer-
 tainly deserves to collide or tumble, whether
 he does or not. The doubt as to the health
 fulness of the sport has been harder to meet.
 Testimony from Cyclists is scarcely compe-
 tent. They are naturally prejudiced, and at
 best they are not medical men. Physicians
 are also incompetent witnesses, for they
 know nothing of the exercise from experi-
 ence. Fortunately, there is an exception.
 Dr. B. w. Richardson is an eminent English
 magazine article he has given his views in no
 uncertain language In one passage he says:
 ''The greatest benefit hitherto that has sprung
 from the art of cycling has been the good
 1t has effected on the health of those who
 have practiced the art. I really know of
 nothing that has been so good for health. *
 In cycling there is an immense saving
 of vital organs, as compared with the strain
 which is put on these organs by other exer-
 cises, such as walking, running, rowing and climbing. In cycling, the whole weight of the trunk of the body is taken of the lower ks To-, so strain on the muscles of respiration in any ordinary efort.''
 These words are spoken of an art which adds another faculty to man, and makes him
 the sWiftest and most enduring of land ami. | mals. Before the perfection of 'cycling, a scientific person, with the aid of his slate and figures, proved that walking was the fastest mode of progression possible to man. But a lady has covered within day 153 miles 8 1 tricycle., and man 219, both on ordinary
 roads. On the bicycle greater fests have been done; even twenty miles have been
 covered within sixty minutes. That beats Rowell. It leaves far behind the horse Bos- l ton, who recently raced against catamaran 1 He required six hours for ninety miles, and could not have repeated the journey. But it l must be said that for short distances the horse holds his own. Neither Prince nor Hendee has made the time of Maud s.
 Cycling also has useful side Even bi- II l on the ''pony" or safety machines there is no place for luggage, and there is constant ne- cessity for uninterrupted motion. Not for a second for any cause can the ordinary bicy- clist check his steed in it's career without dis I mounting. But on the tricycle. bundles may I be carried, two may ride together, hills may | be climbed, and pace may be taken, and with | it all the work is hardly any greater or the speed much less. Dr. Richardson is a skill full horseman, but forty miles on horseback \ fatigues him more than the same distance on ! @ tricycle.. He allows himself an hour and 8 ! half for ten miles, and when he is done he is ! not exhausted, but he is ''agreeably refreshed | and ready for study or mental occupation" l But there is another side. Cycling may be overdone, like eating or walking. What ] are the signs of it? Here Dr. Richardson, | in his dual capacity of medical man and 'cy- | clist, is again most useful. No doctor not 8 1 rider, and no rider not doctor, would have | been shrewd enough to advise middle aged
 man to stop his riding as soon as he feels the 1 iolting of his machine, that is, if he is riding
 good machine on 8 good road. Stomach | exhaustion is another more obvious hint tC | stop. Another warning, which only physi ! elan could rightly interpret, is when the ex ercise, which has formerly benefited produ | ces rheumatism, scidity and desire Io rest These are construed as signs of excess, and
 are not in the least urged as a fault of the I sport. After these hints to the middle aged | Dr. Richardson has word for the young ! In excess, and only in excess it produces hy pertrophy of the muscles, and disturbs tht ! balance between the vascular and nervous
 systems. The remedy is simply moderation