The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-30
WHIR OF THE WHEEL
yyFECT or RECENT TAHURES ON
THE RETIIL TRADE.
4 Few Timely "Do and Don'ts" for Cyclers,
and by All Means Don't Lend
Your wheel

NEW YORK. August 2S-More failures
last week in the bicycle business nave
revived discussions 100 trade circles cor
corning the condition Of one or our
youngest but very important industries
'TnnrD is no DENYING the statement tnat
the collapse a. some Of the popular houses
has had "A derorahziug effect upon some
Of the retail dealers, particularly those
handling the wheels manufactured by
the many short-iycd concerns Eegaru-
Ing the condition OF the TRACE at thls
time ThcCGtre r.. Mcrseles. a Well known
nrt 10 in Metropolitan cycling circles, SAID
yesterday. "AWCpg the sO-called manu-
Iacturcrs who entered the bicycle arena
this year We're numerous ass ,mblcIs WIN
a capital varying from $1,000 70 $l3,N"
totally without experience m the blcNcie
industry filled with the one idea tnat
fortune awaited them I'm the sale or inns
product and With an almost insane deslle
70 secure untold wealth. IN one snoIo
season. Agencies were placed by them
with men equally Ignorant of the require
ncrts OF the trade. and with positively
no facilities for handling the business or
for attending 90 the trade after me
wheels were sClG No attempt was made
- maintain catalogue prices principally
because n cir wl cells We're listed al hcil-
tiOus values In order 10 secure the pres
flre 90 hc gained by the placing Of their
agency with a fow reputable dealers
enormous discounts were ne 'eSsafN. me
majority OF their representatives. how
ever were men without any commeiclal
rating Whatever. The wheels had no rep
utaton from the start there being no
rock bottom price The agents were load-
cd no with these wheels. the 'manufac-
turCr contirucd 20 assemble large guam
titles Of bicycles. for which there was
no demand. AND The medium Of the auc-
fi0r room was graspcd as heir life pre-
server The experienced bicycle dealer
should fully realize that rev concerns
cam or sucCo' sfully compete with the
larger and more progressive or the man
f..Nt do. I. al
cycle dealer must needs Use his best
1udcu eut iu ssletting his line Of wheels.
careful consideration being given 10 the
character OF the goods manufa 'tured. the
reputation and c, periencc Of the maker
and the value Of the guarantee. one
point should not be- lost sight Of. VIZ:
Thas the purchaser looks to the agent TO
make good the luarantec on the wheel he
has bought and should the dealer rep
resent any hut reliable concern. ne IS
apt not only 20 Dee placed In ana unen-
viable position before the expiration Of
the guarantee. hut his local reputation
IS likely 90 be seriously impaired
BICYCLE TACTICS.
Now that so many women ride. n be
comes imperative that book OF tactics
De- given the army Of the wheel, ana IN
q gentle warning may not he amiss for
those feminine riders who, from careless
ness or thoughtlessncss. expose them
selv'1 and their sisters 10 rldicule.
only be- able 10 ride hut 10 ride well. As
there is no royal road 90 learning. few
"d0's" and 'don'ts may help the novice
who as Vet IS ignorant Of her failings and
81 tho simple tcncts OF what constitutes
good form" for tho whcelwOman
The very first do is. do dress ap-
propratsly. no lady of taste goes IN
nm dress 10 matinee or 10 a BAN IN
calling costume. Nor should she so disrc-
gard common sense as 10 be seen upon
her bicycle in "a makeshift costume. that.
although perfectly permissible for street
use is entirely Inappropriate for wear
upon "a wheel
DO remember you are Just az much n
lady on as of your machine. In conse-
Quence 70 Is quite as necessary 10 be
quiet refined and ladvlike while cycling
rs az home in the parlor. No lady should
Doc wildly narlous over anything that
NAV occur during the run. or court undue
notorlcty by calling or speaking In loud
tone Of voice with her near ana iar COM
yauions
DO have the machine perfectly adjust
cd so DO Will not only be comfOrtaple
hut give YOU the correct position on the
saddle that as absolutely necessary be-
fore grace In riding can be acquired:
DO learn TO mount easily, without haN-
ing ~ make ON uncouth Jump ana fau
into the saddle. and subsequent hattf
70 catch the lett pcial. with the asonizcd
expression that tells the onlOoker plainly
Fl know J shall fall on The good rider
mounts her steed Of metal as easily as
she enters her carriage. Every woman
should aspire 20 conquering the neai-pedal
mount which is the personltcation OF
grace. and well repays the time and pa
ticnce required 10 master It.
DO SIT ERECT.
DO eft gracefully erect. No matter how
proficient In the art Of riding without the
hands. keep az least the right hand upon
tho hanlle-har not only as wise pre-
caution but as looking less oStentatous
Tie column Of dents would an vol
umc but let q few Of The most inn
portant bee men Orized and acted upon.
Don't scorch, it ~ not only an awkward
and unhealthy pose. but decidedly had
form particularly for a lady Don't sit
with "a low saddle and ride all knees.
II may feel safer. but remember IL looks
sbomirably Tic saddle should be well
tilted. despite what some people may
cay 20 tho contrary. throwing the weight
OF the rider well back on the seat, and
not on the narrow metal brace I'm 'front.'.
that causes almost immediate discomfort
Don't wear an unlined skirt. that flies
up with every current OF air Every cy-
clists costume should Dee made with
View 90 comfort and utility IN all kinds
OF weather rather than TO any attempt
AZ style Years OF experience prove that
inc best skirt IS rather short and narrow.
win the fullness evenly gathered at the
waistbdld. with leaden weights sowed
ITO the hem. or. better stil. fully lined
with Suesla OF the same color as the
tVon- win seams turned inside This
tast N Important as many accidents oc-
sur 10y catching tho toe or some part OF
'ho gear OF the machine IN a loose hem.
DON'T.
II Don't stop somewhere in the park or
ln the city proper 20 drink beer or wine
while resting from tho run. with your
Cycling companions unless your husband
" IN the party. II looks fast and outre
AID gives outsiders n chance 10 mistudge
T9u Ice water. lemonade. or vichy are