Wichita eagle., 1886-09-21
PERIhS OF BICYCLING.
THE RURAL DOGS NATURAL ANTiP-
ATHY TO THE WHEELMAN.

Those Who Take Summer Jaunts Study
ing Up On the Dog Problem-A Mar
row Escape-virtues of Cayenne Pep
per-The Danger.
An expert bicyclist, who has made long
trips in the country, gave reporter some
points about the dangers encountered. Said
he: "It is more dangerous to ride along
country road on bicycle than on horse.
The rural dog has natural born antipathy
to the wheelman, and never fails to attack
him. Horseback riders can elude the at
tenpts of the dogs to bite them by galloping
away. Then, too, the horse can kick dog
to death or wound him fearfully. The wheel
man Is at q great disadvantage protecting
himself. His legs are just high enough for
the dog to grab easily by leaping few feet,
and if the bicycle happens to run over dog,
the rider is thrown ard often seriously hurt
Several years ago young man was killed by
being thrown from his bicycle while attacked
by dog. 1t is almost impossible to hit a
dog with shot from pistol while riding
The bicyclst is in more danger as rule than
the dog. The pistol goes Off too quickly, or
the front wheel wabbles from the fact that
only one hand is guiding, and the result is the
ball is liable to go anywhere save at the
mark. If several wheelmen are together q
pistol to shoot at dogs is nothing more Or less
than death trap for one in the party For
tunately, wheelmen do not make practice
Of carrying weapons of any kind. Those Of
us who make summer jaunts are studying up
on the dog problem and how to repel the at.
tacks.
"The peculiar construction of bicycle and
its motion has tendency to throw rider in
a curve direction, and hence the head strikes
first invariably. The only way to avoid
falling on the head is to raise both arms and
ward off the full force of the fall. But for
that trick, which all experienced wheelmen
know and practice, there would be more fatal
accidents reported, enough to almost dis
courage lovers of the exercise That is why
we dread the dog, not SO much on account of
his bite but from fear Of being tumbled
headiong from our high perch.
NARROW ESCAPE.
1--WE dread long down grade; it is inlpos-
sible to stop. Frequently the dog springs out
on perilous downhill glide, and embitters
the existence of the intrepid rider There
are several deaths in view in such a case:
hydrophobia from bite a fractured skull
from fall, and being literally torn to pieces
10y the dogs fangs if thrown to the ground. 1
once saved myself from an infuriated dog by
daShing a lot of cayenne pepper in its eyes
and nose. The animal rushed up while was
quietly riding on a smooth road, and at
tempted to grab MY right side. I forged
ahead a few seconds by mighty effort. l
haG no weapon, not even a penknife, and
knew that the very next leap from the dog
might result in a serious wound-perhaps
knock me off the bicycle and chew me into
mince meat. In my jacket pocket l had
some cayenne pepper, done up in small
package. Quick as thought I drew the pack
age, and, as the dog caught up and made a
second plunge to hanstring ME, I threw it
with all my power into the animals face.
The thin paper inclosing the pepper burst,
and the fiery, itching, tickling cayenne filled |
its eyes and got up its nose Such yell as |
that cur gave l never heard before. It |
turned tail and fed, bowling in agony at
every step. considered that had a narrow |
escape.
another great peril, beside that of the |
dog, is striking header at the foot of long
bill. The bicycle is at full speed going down,
the rider feels tolerably secure, when all Of a |
sudden a few feet in advance, a railroad
track comes into view. Stop and walk over: |
Not bit of it. 1t is impossible, and bounc-
ing over the wheels go, III many instances
knocking the rider foot or two above the
saddle from the Jolt and not unfrequently
throwing him violently to the ground. Talk
about the pleasures of bicycling, why, few
people have any idea of the great dangers wo
laily run. They see Us gliding along easily
md imagine life on wheels is Il paradise. Let
hem rcpel the attack OF feTocious rural cur
once; that viii be enough" New Yorl, Mail