The herald., 1895-08-11

as header, or side plunger, accord
ing to the direction of ones fight. With
the old ordinarcs and hone Shakers, as
the first bicycles were called, these feats
were every day occurrences; but with
safety wheels they are reduced to min
imum. That they occur, however, even
nowadays, is not denied by conscientious
riders whose wounds are still unheal d..
A good way to verify this Is to strike
round stone while coasting swiftly, or,
simpler vet, turn the handle bar
quickly when riding on wet surface.
Similar success may be had by encounter
ing stick or stone when riding oyer
dark road. The results of such casualties
are always easier to explain than their
causes, but it may be cheerfullv added
that they are hardly ever fatal, except to
the cyclists pride. The great resiliency
OF pneumatic tires has further reduced
the liability of taking headers from any
of these causes.
Zone maneuver that has never failed
to give wneelmen ample exercise and at
the same time temporary disregard for
the pedal mount, particularly if it be
practiced in snot Just visited by the
street sprinkler. This mount is not
difficult to acquire, but needs to be
practiced with caution. AS the pedal
comes up it should be caught at such a
position as will enable the rider to gain
his saddle before the pedal begins to
drive the machine forward and is likely
to upset both wheel and wheelman.
Just where to catch the pedal as it rises
depends entirely upon the agility of
the rider, and can be determined by
practice. Those who do this mount have
no use for the regular step at the rear,
and it Is often permanently removed to
1asSon tho w iuht Of tho v,,achine
"Among some cyclists the idea of
tightening their wheels by removing
almost every detachable part has become
a perfect mania. 1t is widely prevalent
among beginners, and, as luck will have
it. it is with them the most disastrous.
They are told that to take Off such parts
as the mud guards, brake, and tool bag
easier riding, and they do not hesitate
TO do go. Some day when alone and
several miles from home or a repair shop
a tire is punctured and starts leaking, or
vital screw WORKS loose. The initiating
pump. screw driver and all repairing im-
plements have been left behind. The
new rider has not foreseen the need
much less peice of emergency tape. In
few minutes his tire is limp and fiat,
a pedal bas fallen off, and the machine
is badly disabled. The balky steed must
now be led, and he sets out. too engrossed
with his thoughts to even whistle. A
snap suot of this mans countenance
would present the most complex species
of bicycle face possible to imagine. 1t is
never safe to go far from home without
the full kit of tools, unless one is sure of
being accompanied by rider not affected
with the wheel-stripping mania. Sacri.
ficing the braKe, too, for the sake of its
weight is a dangerous thing for the be-
ginner. 1t is unwise, even though he
can backpedal, which not one in ten
knows how to do effectively. The surest
way for rider to check the speed of his
machine under ordinary circumstances is
to use the brake.
ITO conquer the art OF back -psdaling
ought to be wheelman's first desidera-
tum, for there are times when this ability
alone may spare him serious injury, if not
save his life. 1t is frequently necessaly y
to back-pedal and apply the brake stimuli
taneously to avoid collision; but some-
times the brake is practically useless.
In a rain storm. for example, when the
tire is wet and does not offer enough fric-
tion to give the brake good grip, the
rider who cannot reverse his power is in
a sad plight. II he should 60 down a
steep hill without any mishap. the sens
alton would eclipse that of toboggan
ride. If his wheel should strike a stone