Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-30
HYGIENE Cycling FOR WOMEN.
when Wheeling Never Wear Close
Stays. Never Garter Your Stockings

~
written for the Dispatch)
No less a person than an observant
physician offers a word OF well-meant
counsel to feminine cyclists.
Every other woman one meets" he
says, towns or is saving for the pur-
chase of a safety. exercise on which there
IS none better 20 be found. The wheel
takes its rider into the open air. where
American women can scarcely spend too
much time, and any one will notice. to
their honor. how erect these petticoated
cyclists sit in their saddles. direct re-
proach TO their hump-shouldered breth-
rem. But there is another side TO this
picture. Ii is beginners particularly who
are tempted To forget the virtue Of
taking things easily, and In their excited
interest make the first mistakes
NO woman. however strong or eager
10 learn, should take cycle lesson over
haf hour long, and she should stop
frequently In the course Of IL 10 rest and
pail some long breaths. The girl who is
not very strong and the least bit I'M
rtan as TO the cause Of her weakness
VIII be the happier and better for asking
a physicians advice before putting her
foot TO the pedal. In ninety-nine cases
out Of hundred he will send her at once
10 the cycle school
1t is the anaemic. wcak-lunged. mar
row-chestcd, dyspeptic woman to whom
the bicycle is a very tonic, but she, if
having no directions from doctor. must
follow common sense in her practice, and
II in the first lesson Of a half hour seems
to have exhausted her strength should
cut it In half, taking fifteen minutes
twice In one day. and a cracker and a
Few spooniuls of sherry when the exer-
else Is over"
II possible learn TO ride in one Of the
good cycle schools. where one learns in
nan the usual time and the instructor
SHOWS a would-be wheel woman how to
use her strength on the pedals so as to
save half the muscular effort poorly
taught person puts forth.
y great deal has been said as TO what
constitutes the dress graceful and conven-
vent for cycling. but little so as to the
dress healthful. Now whether a woman
chooses 10 wear trousers. a short skirt, or
a long one. let her be sure not TO have
her stays tight, and If she is slender and
can auord the extra expenditure, use a
button-corded waist or "A pair of short
riding corsets in place Of the long,
heavily-boned stays of daily use There
Is no gain Of grace or beauty in a small
waist for bicycling, but much danger
10 heart and digestion from tightly
a woman who rides much in summer
ought to wear with her loose stays the
thnnest of wool undervests. which alb
serbs the moisture of the body, prevents
one from taking cold. and is the coolest
! lightest garment for wear under a per-
| Gale shirt-wast.
Never when wheeling garter your
stockings with elastic bands above the
knee says an experienced 'cyclist. use
! long elastic hose supporters. fastened "a
| The bottom of the corset. and strap under
| your saddle. when setting out for any
| thing like a lengthy ride. a little case
holding a vial Of brandy, a skein of
( black sewing silk needle. a wee pair
| Of scissors, and a square of court plaster
! and d small bottle Of ammonia"
Never get on your wheel" she adds
| until half hour after eating, and never
wheel steadily for more than thirty min
utes at a time Slacken speed and roll
| along slowly for bit before resuming
a smart pace. Two hours is the longest
, regular daily exercise even a strong wo-
man should take on her safety and she
who cycles by a Doctors orders may
take an hour every other day. preferably
I in the morning. and a half hour after
breakfast for steady exercise. drinking
little milk and eating biscuit when
the work is over. No woman she con
Cludes. who respects her dignity, her
health, and the boon a bicycle is, will
ever pretend 10 race or attempt fancy
figures on II, however tempted TO try
that, for which a woman on a bicycle
was not meant by any law of hygiene
or good taste.
MILLICENT ARROWPOINT.