Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-14
INJURY FROM CYCLING.
The DOubled-Up Position Can DO Much
Harm-An Unhealthy Sport AZ Over

AhS FO0Iu1On Sah DO MUCH
Harm-An Unhealthy Sport If Over
done.
From the Westminster Gazette.
A visit to Sir Benjamin Richardson's
house, in Manchester square, at once shows
the interest taken in cycling by its owner.
Just inside the hall stands a well-used
tricycle., with the traces of a recent ride
still on it! and inside the waiting room a
home trainer" or stationary machine for
the practice of cycling, occupies a corner.
On the subject raised by the speaker Sir
Benjamin was quite willing to speak.
Il quite agree with the speaker he said.
But, unfortunately, 1 have said SO much
on this subject that people think / am
prejuoiced against cycling. though. as a
matter of fact. l am myself very fond Of
1t AS an exercise. There is no doubt that a
great deal OF harm is at present being done
by injudicious cycling. The attitude that
nearly ali cyclists adopt, to a greater or
less desree-bending themselves forward
over the handles of their machines-is I'M
douDteiiy most unhealthy. And, though l
caniiot explain the reason for taking up
Suca an attitude, l know that 1 have to
Aeep & careful watch over myself to main
tdin an erect position.
The 1ouoied-up position does more harm
t!lA-i peOp.e imagine. OF course, every body
hh1"s that 1t IS ugly. The spinal curves
ate the mast perfect in nature, both for
strength and beauty; and these are de-
slroyel The top of the anterior curve is
Drought forward-and l am not sure that
The F-steriof curve as well is not affected
until tie spine becomes almost an arc. The
chest bone then affected by the unna tura /
pressure placed upon it. The circulation is
impaired, anu, no doubt, the lungs are in
terferei with. too In fact, there is hardly
ahy possible evil effect which 1t does not
produce"
" nat can be done to improve matters,
3ir BeIJam-n? Something may be done,
but at present L cannot say what Riders
cf the ol.-fashioned high machines were
tette: OF Il this res pect than the riders of
today, ana they generally sat much more
erect. 1 thInl. the safety bicycle, with its
longer reach has something to answer for ="
w ouid altering the position OF the handles
bringing them higher UP and further ba elk
grove eiIectdal?' 1T might. But 1t would
be unpopular. Any change in the construc-
ton OF machines which either necessitates
IN alteration in the manufacturers plant
or impairs the speed of the machine will
meet with great deal of opposition. |
think desire for increased speed is mainly
responsible for the Introduction Of this at
ItIde. Men find that by bending them
selves down they both offer less resistance
tc The wind and get more power over their
work, and they will not bother about the
remote consequences. Long-distance rid
ing, too, has done g great deal of harm In
fact the cyclists of the present generation
are feeling the effects Of their riding much
more than earlier riders did, and even they
suffered severely enough. There were Cor
lis and Keith Falconer, two magnificent
riders, who both died Of heart disease /
kntT many tirst-class speed cyclists years
aSo who told me they felt no i'll effects. but
hey are nearly all dead now, and not at
advanced ages
Then do you consider cycling as a sport
unhealthy? Not mora SO, when indulge I
IN moderately. than other sport. OF course,
rowing affects the breath, walking and pc
destrianism affects the nerves. the use of
dumb bells and other stationary exercises
affect the muscles. And in the same way,
cycling affects the circulation. have
known mans pulse to go up to 223 dur
Ing race, and you can imagine from that
the work the heart must be called upon TO
do. And, besides, there is the sudden run
ming down after the system has been strain
ed up to this pitch. 1t might be compared
to releasing the spring of watch and let
ting it run down suddenly when it is fully
wound. The effect the system Is most
injurious. Hill climbing, too is a very Sc
we're strain. Several inventions have been
tried for storing up energy while going
down hill which could be used to assist the
rider at the next ascent and / think 1t
would be very great benefit If soma such
idea could be worked out and made to an
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