The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-10-19
RHE WHEsL-CRANk'S HUMP.
Injure Themselves by Improper
Attitude in Riding.


That the capacity for abjectly follow
ing deforming fashion is character
| istic by no means confined to the gent
Ter sex has never been more forcibly
illustrated than in the way in which
the power of example has induced thou
sands of young men to adopt an ur
necessarily awkward and, to all ar-
pearances, cramped and uncomforta-
bic, attitude in riding the bicycle, All
the ridicule that has been cast upon
the habit, all the evidence that has
been brought out to prove its detri-
mental effects upon the health, even
the demonstration of its tendency to
bring about a permanent malformation
of the figure-and there is nothing
more precious in7the eyes of the aver
age young man than the possession OF
a comely figure. erect and manly; all
these considerations appear to have had
no appreciable effect in diminishing the
prevalence of habit which has become
the most serious drawback to one of the
most admirable forms of exercise and
recreation.
This fashion proceeds from the imi-
tative tendency in human beings
In this matter the objects of imi-
tation are the racing men. A bend
ing position is essential to the achieve
ment of the best results in the way of
speed, for by this means the best play
is given to the muscles that are spe-
cially brought into action, and the
best control of the wheel while under
full Roadway is secured. The average
young wheelman is fired with the am
bition to be taken for a ''scorcher,"
even though he is not in the least de-
gree. and hence he adopts the scorch
ing attitude as his customary position
while riding. 1t is very transparent
stimulation, however. for no one would
think of installing the rider proceed
ing along the highway at a moderate
pace for a record breaker, even though
bending nearly double, as if suffering
from a severe attack of collie.
There are too many types OF the
bending attitude. One of them is less
evil in its appearance and its effects
than the other. The less harmful po-
sition may be compared to a claspknife
with blade partly open at an acute
angle, the rider leaning his weight
upon the handle bars, which thus al
ford support and rest TO the figure.
while the line of his back is kept
straight, though inclined. But exceed
ingly detrimental is the other position,
in which the back is curved and
bumped into a semblance of an angry
cat. 1t is probable that both positions
cramp and restrict the stomach and
other digestive organs, while the sec
ond tends 10 induce a permanent NAL
formation of the spine and shoulders.
As racing is but subordinate pur-
pose of the bicycle. there is no reason
why the racing attitude should set the
fashion for wheelmen. The main
service of the bicycle lies in its value
as an instrument for recreation and
for useful means of pleasant com
munica ton from place to place. For
this purpose the most sensible and
comforta Bile position is that Of sitting
erect. with handlebars well raised SO
as to be easily grasped without stoop-
ing. In this way the fresh air. the
sunshine and the manifold sights and
scenes along the way may best be en-
joyed.
1t would be well for parents of young
riders 10 insist on their having the
handle-barS of their bicycles carried
high. But in the case of some ma!
chimes of the cheaper grade the i'm
proper posture is made necessary bv
placing the handle-bars permanently
low. Perhaps, if prizes We're given FOR
good form in riding, il would do much
10 nnrr.anf fhis nr-il - Boston, Hn-nll