Los Angeles herald., 1892-05-10
WILLIE w1NDLE ON. rRAININa.

WILLIE WINDLE ON. TRAINING.
The Champion Btcyclist Gives Some
Good Advice to Racing Men.
] 1t is at this season OF the year that the
racing bicyclist commences to prepare
himself for the spring races. In all
forms OF athletic sport more or less
work is required to properly get an ath-
lete into trim, but bicycle riders, as a
rule, adopt very rigid course of train
! ing. Every man has his own views as
to the best method of preparing an ath-
lete for racing. Willie Windle, the
champion bicycle rider, has had years
of experience in racing, and has paid
strict attention to every detail in regard
to training. In an interview with re-
porter he gave his views upon the sub
| ject as follows:
ITO get the best results in bicycle
racing, or in any sport or profession,
strict attention must be paid to every
detail. To achieve success in racing a
man must be well trained and in good
condition. A few riders can dissipate
more or less and ride we'll, but in the
end they generally have their constitu-
tione undermined. Training should not
be looked upon as a drudgery, but as
pleasure. My training experience has
been one Of the most enjoyable of my
life. You should be in perfect health
when you race; feeling when you are on
the scratch that there is nothing to
hinder you from winning. One should
study the effect Of the food be eats /; the
! effect of riding at different times and
distances, and the effect Of riding bis
| wheel, as he may have it altered, then
when he gets it all right in his own
| mind, stick to it. Easy pedaling and
position are attributes of success, and
should be.cultivated. You very seldom
see an awkward pedaler, or one who
rides in poor form, that is successful.
':In regard to food, dieting, ETC., be-
lieve in rising at about o'clock in the
morning, and taking short walk or
some light exercise before breakfast. the
latter to consist of rolled oats, eggs in
any plain style, broiled steak and weak
tea. Don't ride until about IL O'Clock,
or until your food is thoroughly digest
ed. Take dinner after you are over the
effects of riding. This should be of
plain soup, roast meats, plain dessert.
etc. Then ride again about O'Clock in
the afternoon. For supper partake of
plain, light food, but no meat. In the
morning ride from two to ten miles
easily. varying the speed and distance
according to your feeling and the
weather. In the afternoon try shorter
distances, say quarter of mile spurts
two or three times q week, and when
you get fine day andsfeel all right have
a good fast ride against the watch, but
not over once week. Il always get the
time, whether slow or fast, as it breaks
the monotOny.
"Every one should use their judgment
regarding the distance they ride and the
food they eat. One thing may be good
for one and not for another. Don't be-
lisve what the professional trainer tells
you regarding riding. Very few of them
adjust it thoroughly. and in my opinion
or how fast to ride. Don't ride indiffer-
emily. Go q distance and. then come
Immediately in. Roll yourself in
blanket until you sweat freely, and then
have some one rub you dry, gently, with
q towel. After you are thoroughly dry
you may have your attendant rub on
some liniment. l sometimes do this,
using arnica and witch hazel in equal
quantities. am not opposed to any
one rubbing you hard There is no
necessity of running, walking hard or
taking any violent exercise outside of
your riding, vs. it only tends to bind up
your muscles; the muscles should be
soft when in good form. Road riding
has the same tendency to bind up the
muscles.
''The proper weight for racing wheel
varies from twenty-five to twenty-seven
pounds. Whatever you get, be satisfied
that you have no cause to lay defeat to
it. Fit tito yourself thoroughly. Mar
row the handle bars 40 you. can get all
your strength utilized. My bars meas
ure about twenty-four inches from
handle to handle. Narrow across the
sprocket and .6.inch cranks are my
standard, The proper position for your
seat can be determined by moving the |
seat back from the axle center and riding |
it in erdifferentpositions. believe in
riding more over the center than the
majority, the peak of my saddle being
about three inches from the axle, center.
have tried it all ways, but it seemed !
to me to be more sensible to push |
directlydown than in front ofyou, and 1
could ride without wasting any strength.
"My knowledge Of training has been
earned by hard experience, and trust
it may help the young racer, who will |
not have the advantage that have had. |
One thing would advise the young
racer, to conduct himself as gentleman 4
off and ON che track. This will help to !
elevate the sport, and will be moro
homer to him than mile in 2:1O."
-----~s-
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