The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-10-25
THE WAEEL-CRANK'S HUMP.
Bicyclers Injure Themselves by improper
Attitude in Riding.


Attitude in Riding.
That the capacity for abjectly follow
ing deforming fashion is character
istic by no means confined to the gent
ler 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 un-
necessarily awkward and, to all ap-
pearances, cramped and uncomforta-
ble, attitude in riding the bicycle. All
the ridicule that has been cast upon
the habit, all the evidence that mas
been brought out to prove It's detrl-
mental effects upon the health, even
the demonstration of its tendency TO
bring about permanent malformatlon
of the figure-and there is nothlng
more precious in,the eyes OF the aver
age young man than the possession OF
a comely figure, erect and manly al
these considerations appear to have mad
no appreciab BILE effect in diminishing the
prevalence of a habit which has become
the most serious draw back 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 lml-
tation are the racing men. A bend
ing position is essential to the achieve
ment of the best results in the way OF
sneed. 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 headwav is secured. The average
Young wheelman is fired with the am
bition to be taken for "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 mistaking 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 coilc.
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 claspknife
with blade partly open at an acute
angle, the rider leaning his weight
upon the handle bars; which thus af-
ford support and rest to the figure,
while the line of his back is kept
straight, though inclined. But exceed
inply detrimental is the other position.
in which the back is curved and
bumped into 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 to induce a permanent NAL
forma ton of the spine and shoulders.
AS racing is but a 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
municatlon from place to place. For
this purpose the most sensible and
comfortable position is that of sitting
erect. with handle-bars we'll 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 to insist on their having the
handle-bars of their bicycles carried
high. But in the case OF some nal
chimes of the cheaper grade the inn
proper posture is made necessary by
placing the handle-bars permanently
low. Perhaps. if prizes were given for
good fozm in riding, it would do much
to correct'this evil-Boston Herald.