Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-12
THE BICYCLES AGE.
History Of the Wheel and Points
About Its Popularity.
EXPERIENCES OF NEW RIDERS
"Reminiscences and incidents In
Connection with the Machine 30
Suddenly the Fad Everywhere
Scene, Upon Our Streets.

The wisest man that ever lived said
that there was nothing new beneath the
sun: but could he return 10 ear'n' anu
visit the city of Richmond he might
modify that dogma somewhat. And the
thing which would mainly excite MS
wonder in this progressive age would De
the total revolution and change or OLD
IDEAS and traditions caused by the al
vent of the bicycle.
Going back a few years In the history
OF this machine and following up It's
gradual evolution, the immense chahge
becomes strongly marked. The first spe-
cimen of this genus was the velocipede'
the use Of which was chiefly confined to
the smaller children Of both sexes VINO
hailed with delight the gift OF one Tor
birthday or for Christmas. Then came
the tricycle., which was also ridden by
children mostly, but numbered among
its devotees few OF more mature years.
THEN THE BICYCLE.
A little later on. still. another wheel was
dropped. and the bicycle was given 10 the
world. But n cycle OF the pattern OF
that day, If placed beside an up-to-date
wheel, would present an absurd spectacle
The rider OF one of those ancient ma
chimes occupied a high position In the
world. indeed, the saddle being elevated
to about twice the height OF the seat OF
the present cycle. and TO mount IL was
a somewhat difficult and dangerous task.
These wheels most abounded in localities
where hieh fences and the tops Oh
smaller out-houses presented facilities Tor
mounting. The saddle was placed I'M
mediately over the 'front.' wheel "hhe
the rear wheel was somewhat like large
size dinner-plats in dimensions. Inc rims
of each wheel were composed OF haIu
rubber, and while the elevation OF the
rider assured him an unsurpassed we"
of the beauties Of the country through
which he passed. the nara anu hon-
Welding substance of the rolling-stocR
beneath him guaranteed him the fuli
benefit of the effect of rough ground
and stray rocks in his pathway.
BEAUTY AND JOY.
All this is changed, however and the
wheel of to-day is a thing Of beauty and
| a ioy forever. Let us take stand on
| some broad thoroughfare OF Richmond
inst as the twilight shadows are falling,
| and note the wheels that spin past US
fying over tho smooth surface without a
| sound Among the riders we see number
| ed every grade. business. profession ana
calling in the city, and nterspersed mere
and there In the endless procession, man
aging their silent steed with the same
| grace and ease with which they slide
| through the intricate figures OF the ger
| man, are the pretty bellies of Richmond
social circle.
IN A WHEEL STORE.
An hour or two spent in popular bi-
| cycle store OF the city yesterday was OF
| great interest. showing the class Of peo-
| pie who are beginning to discover the
| pleasures and advantages of this kind OF
| snort A wsll-known businessman was
| the first visitor He would probably Zip
| the scales at 30 pounds, and his FIRST re-
| mark to the dealer showed that the OBJ
| iect OF his visit was 10 erdeaVor TO get
| rid OF a portion OF superhuous environ
ment. "My doctor" he began, has adj
| yised me to get wheel to reduce my
| weight. Have you anything strong
| enough to carry me?" OF course, the
| dealer had. and IL only took few mo-
| ments 70 make a deal
| ITS a poor rule that won't work botf
| ways" remarked the bicycle man, aitfl
his adipOse customer had departed. "Only
| Yesterday | had call from perhaps th'
thinnest man In Richmond-a living skele
| ton. He said no wanted to get a machine
| as his doctor had advised him to ride e
1 Increase his weight. Funny idea, isn't L.
| But the strangest thing about II Is thai
IL really does reduce the weight OF the IA
| and increase that OF the lean"
A preacher was the next caller then q
| merchant, and a number OF young ladies'
| and little misses. In fact, IL seemed that
| no one was too old, too young, too fat
or too lean 20 ride a bicycle.
THE MORNING RUNS.
Since a leader among the elite OF the
| city put the seal of her approval upon
| the use OF the wheel by young ladies'
| the early risers of Richmond witness a
| pretty sight eacn fair morning. when the
| first rays OF the sun are stealing over The
landscape, ard the flowers and grass are
sparkling with the dew. II Is then, by
| twos and threes that the fair young
| wheslwomen OF the city. attired In neatly
fitting 'cycllng-suits. with jaunty caps
| upon their heads, spin through the Guie'
| streets out to the boulevard, 10 return
| after two hours of invlgorating exer'
| else with cheeks aglow and eyes
sparkling. with health and happiness, anc
| with the keenest Of keen appettes. 80
| popular has this morning run become
| that several young ladies have suggested
that a club be formed, which shall be
called the "Morning-Glory Club" Truly
such n name would seem to be most ap'
| propriate.
OF course, as every one knows. the frs
person 10 ride bicycle was OF The
sterner sex. and in searching for the whyi
and wherefores OF the fact that womer
have taken to 1t also, SANDER, un
! doubtedly started by the meanest mar
on earth, is put forward in explanation
IL is that the women will always follow
the men. and as the men have taken &c
wheels to make their escape the womer
must needs take the same means te
| pursue the chase
VEHICLES FOR HYMEN.
Apart from the many advantages pos
sessed by the bicycle as vehicle for th'
promotion of pleasure and health, IL Il
stated upon good authority that many
of the weddings which have taken place
| i'm Richmond during the past winter ah'
early spring are directly due TO itt
| agency. And. in truth, "A graceful girl
who possesses perfect skill In the man
agement of her wheel. is never seen u
better advantage than when spinning
along. attired in her becoming and per
| fectly-fitting costume of dark-Dlue serge