The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-07-21
BiCYCLE EXERCISE,
How TO Derive the Greatest Amount sf
Good From the Use OF tho wheel.


How bicycle should be ridden do
ponds wholly upon the incentive for
riding II. II the machine is used in
business. q possibility now in many
cities, no rules need be laid down, as
the practical rider will alwaysg go about
1t in the most matter-of-fact way that
will accomplish his end and II he rides
the wheel to win laurels on the racing
| path, he will need no outside advice as
| to the hOws and wherefores OF this
| branch Of the sport. Those who ride
for pleasure, for the sake OF the exer-
else, or to get away from tho din and
dirt of the city's turmoil, however, may
frequently gain n hint or two from the
experience Of others, and looking Mt
the matter in this light, shall be glad
to give very briefly my views upon the
subject.
There are two methods OF using a
bicycle for pleasure, the first for the
mere exhilaration and excitement of
self-propulsion, at IL brisk pace, either
for physical development or to reach a
given point within u given time; the
second for the more quiet enjoyment OF
every thing that pertains to outdoor
life and nature. l find pleasure in both
forms of the exercise, and think that
combination of both conduce to the best
results. There is an excitement In II
thirty-mile dash over good roads that
| must be experienced to be fully appre-
ciated. My usual gait in accomplish.
ing such run Is from nine to ten miles
an hour, with absolutely as few stops as
possible. The first ten miles are always
| the hardest then the muscles stiffen to
| their work. one gets his second wind,
| and even the hills grow less difficult,
and in my experience it is less fatigu-
ing to pull a stiff grade by dogged per-
| sistence, and to rest in the saddle after
wards by sauntering for half a mile,
than to dismoqnt. l never drink u
drop of any thing on the road if it can
| possibly be avoided, q few fruit, lime
or lemon tablets, which may be carried
| in the pocket, usually relieving thirst:
and bit of ice on hot day is a surer
relief than pints of water as u summer
drink. Frequent dismounts, in con-
nection with hard pace, are fatiguing,
besides atfording capital chance to take
cold by q too sudden cooling off. One
can make u business of resting with
far more comfort at the end of the jour.
ney, in dry clothing, and after refresh.
ing bath and rub down.
| On the other hand, there is no
greater joy than to take the road on a
bright morning, with a congenial COM
panion or two, lady or gentleman
(though with lady companions l al
ways use the tricycle) and go forth
with no other object than to spend a
happy day, wandering at sweet will in
the pure air and sunshine. The saun-
tering pace, the mad-cap coast, the
speeding over the level, sand-papered
stretches, the quiet roadside pauses,
and the delightful 'browsing and nib
bling" as Maurice Thompson puts it,
about the haunts of nature, all con-
tribute to make the day so spent one to
live in the memory. 10 my mind, tho
use Of the bicycle-making the means
and not the aim of enjoyment-gives
the most satisfactory and far-reaching
results. But, after all, chacun son
gout. - Charles Richard Dodge, in
Chicago Inter Ocean.