New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-14
THE BICYCLE FACE IS NOT NEE

SPORTSMAN WHO HOLDS 1T TO BE AN IND1cA-
TION OF CHARACTER.
How many persons have been annoyed by the
criticisms Of cycling and jests about the so-called
bicycle face?" said enthusiastic sportsman.
1T is indeed singular that the learned persons
who have discovered this bicycle face come from
the ranks of the vast army who ride in either
cable trolley cars. For centuries it has been
known to close observers that all men and women
who ride horses. camels or elephants have set
faces. When Alexander commanded his orderlies
TO face Bucephalus toward the sun that he might
not his shadow, and mounted the fretful
charger. does any one believe that the kings feat
were relaxed and that the face Of the mighty
conqueror grin? hundred times The
great general the so-called bicycle face. Did
not julius Caesar say that the stern warlike feat
OF his cavalry host when his troopers
confronted the infantry of Pompey?
Ibid anybody ever an ancient bass-reef or
sculpture In which the features OF the equestrian
figures did not bear the stamp OF the bicycle
face? Down through the ages every rider bears
the set face of the cyclist Nobody can ride any
animal or any machine that requires the centraz-
alton Of thought without his features rejecting
the concentration. Railroad engineers. Gailors.
drivers OF rotting horses In races jockeys cavalry
men and ali other equestrans have the bicycle
face.
I'm riding a horse. no matter where II may be.
either In the park the prairie. the rider s
mind should be on his horse. II a rider on either
a horse bicycle is going through Central Park
he may chat with a companion. but II Is certain
that the appearance OF other riders coming toward
him will his mind to concentrate on the
question OF what the persons coming toward him
going to do and how they will turn 10 AVOID
him. His wheel or his horse constantly requires
his attention. even II he continues TO converse with
his companion.
The lone horscman on the prairie may think OF
home thousand other things. but his safety
demands that he keep his mind centred on gopher
holes and other obstacles which may mean fall.
The boys who ride exercise thoroughbreds ac-
quire the bicycle face in a few weeks as their
minds their safety. even II their fancy runs
riot. and they imagine that rhc horses they ride
future Derby 81. Leger winners. They
must be alert and quick 10 act in an emergency.
Consequently all successful Jockeys have the BIZ
cycle face. -,
THE Mexicans, who ride well as the Ind
Jams on the plains have ,b ocy yds
the horse OF the desert. In the Russian cossack
the bicycle face is hereditary as the race Is prac
negro of Ps south africa s With bicycle face
face is a bEebear The set face OF an expert horse
woman enhances her appearance especially h !, s he
bicycle face smiles she illumnes everything about
her and causes untold agony TO the r women T Th
woman who can ride gracefully on either horse or
a bicycle invariably defeats her sister. who has
centraie her thoughts,
at is the same with a man who has not
the slightest claim passabe good looks who
would be unnoticed porter or laborer. would yet
attract attention as trooper or cavaryman. when
concentration OF thought caused his homely features
to assume character by being set and firm.
ITO sum up, anybody who rides every day on n
wheel and does not acquire the bicycle face lacks
character, and is a menace to himself and every
body else when on the road or the track The
bicycle lace denotes strength OF mind In the per
sons who possess IL. II means alertness. quick per
ception and prompt action in emergencies. The
ldiotc grin OF some of the cigaretie-smokng lei
lows who make fun of bicycling can never be mis-
taken for the bicycle face