, 1892-03-23
WOMEN WHO LIKE THE WHEEL

Runs of Fifty and One Hundred Miles
Are n Common Occurrence
Outdoor exercise is constantly recon-
mended by physicians for women who
are afflicted with nervous complaints and
other illness. 1t is upon these recon-
mendations that the bicycle has become
s widely used by females. The army of
women cyclists is by nj means confined
to invalids, persons of robust health be-
ing enthusiasts over this form of recrea-
tion. Up to within the past two years
the exercise was confined to the tricycle.,
but shortly afterward the safety wheel
was introduced and at once became an
established favorite. Today women BIZ
cyclists outnumber women equestrians
almost two to one. Cycling brings into
play the muscles of the legs in pedaling,
and also those of the arms in guiding the
wheel. In pleasant weather nc more ex-
%hilarating exercise could be adopted for
women Those who are riding bicycles
nowadays are developing into rather re-
m~arkable experts. While trips OF from
twenty to thirty miles seemed to satisfy
the most enthusiastic wheelwoman at
the beginning of her cycling career, moth
ing less than fifty mile jaunts and fire.
quent century runs will now suffice. One
hundred mile journeys are now a fire.
quent occurrence.
A woman cyclist who has gained wide
spread prominence through some re-
mafkable performances ON the wheel Is
Miss Margaret Kirkwood, of Boston. She
has been a devoted admirer of the wheel
for a number of years, and is an expert
ut long distances. Upon the pleasant
drives around the hub she has become a
familiar figure. In company with her
brother. who is also a wheelman. she
takes long airings each week. She is a
tireless rider and shows but little fatigue,
particularly after a century run. In the
recent 100 mile run of the Boston Press
Cycling club Miss Kirkwood was n Of
the first to finish. She is a membe of the
Century Road Club Of America, and it
is doubtful If there is any woman cyclist
who mas a larger mileage record.
Mrs. F. M. Cossitt, of this city, u
smother woman whose attachment to
cycling has induced her to become an
incessant rider. Mrs. Cossitt is a MEM
Der of the Riverside wheelmen of this
city and Is a constant attendant at the
runs of that club. She was a starter in
the Philadelphia century run OF 1890,
but the roads were in such poor condi-
ton that. while she pluckily kept to her
wheel for a good distance, h was
finally compelled to succumb to owe
exhaustion. But this was the only in
stance in which she failed. Mrs. Cossitt
has covered 100 miles over some particu-
larry rough roads in New York state, in
with her husband, who is eI-
captain of the Riverside wheelmen.
Mrs. Cossitt may be seen any pleasant
day enjoying a ride in Central park or
on the Riverside drive.
Chicago contains a number of women
who nave made century runs. Among
them are are Miss Harriet Becker, Mrs.
Margaret Park, Miss Lucy Porter, Miss
l.. Haggerty, Miss Hilda Patterson and
Miss Alice Waugh.
Philadelphia also has a number of
women who are noted long distance
riders. Prominent among them are Miss
Tecklenberg. Mrs. h. y. Crowther, Miss
Welsh of the Wissahicken wheelmen,
and Mrs. q. Nj. Dalsen Of the Fairmount
lady cyclers.
Mrs. F. McEwen, of Elgin, Ills, and
Mrs. F. q. Henning, of Peoria, Ills, are
two western women cyclists who have
made century runs. Miss K. Klipfel, of
Buffalo, is also a century rider.
The riding schools in this city and
Brooklyn are largely ~patronized by
women. The teachers in the various
schools say that the number of pupils
who take TO wheeling increases each
year. Many women who are taught to
become expert riders in the riding
academies very seldom venture to ride
in public.-New York Sun.