Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-08-06
MssrEaINa rnD wnEEL.
A rev Practical suggestions for the Bs


Few Practical Suggestions for the BE-
ginDer.
Tho Philadelphia Press contains the
following, which was contributed by a
prominent business man OF the Quaker
City:
Nearly every teacher Of riding has
u paticular method which he believes
10 be best. OF these various methods
it is hard to single out one as being
the very best. Thtre ia one method
not generally adopted, however, which
in the experience of the writer has
been exceedingly successful in teach-
ing tho novice male riders to master
the iptricacies OF the wheel. OF three
nOvices who were taught in the man
nor described one learned to ride in an
hour another in ono lesson of two
hours and the third in two lessons OF
about ono hour each. All Of the
learners knew absolutely nothing about
riding previous to the lessons given
them.
There is but one necessary adjunct,
and that is smooth riding surface
with slight incline Tho incline need
not be steep, only sufficient to keep
tho wheel in motion after it is given
start and without the push on the
pedals. The necessity for that will be
apparent.
Many teachers prefer to place their
| pupils upon tho wheel at once, but my
method is 10 teach them the use of the
front wheel in keeping the wheel erect
first of all. For that reason | have
them grasp the handle bar tightly,
place ono foot on the step and keep
the other foot in readiness to save
themselves from fall. Having the
| free use OF one foot the rider at once
secures confidence. for be knows that
no is secured from injuring himself.
:" Before | allow them to attempt to
keep the wheel erect i explain TO them
the use of tho front wheel. There are
but two simple facts 10 be kept in
mind with regard to it: First of all
| that il has two distinct motions; and.
second, that it must always be directed
toward tho way the rider believes he
will fall, A short rapid turn of the
wheel through small radius main
taiEs the balance, while slow turn
| through long radius gives direction.
| Ii the rider keeps these two points in
mind and applies them ho will have nc
difficulty at all in learning
Starting from the top Of the incline
with gentle push the wheel will run
on without tho necessity of using the
pedals. At first attompt the rider will,
of course, turn tho front wheel in the
wrong direction or be will make toe
long turn or do anything, possibly
everything, else that he should not do.
Gradually, however, he will learn tc
turn the way he believes himself to be
alling and also to give u quick, short
turn for balance. When he has learned
that he is on the high road to success.
The incline may be found in almost
any section OF the city. The
method has this advantage among
others, that until the time the rider il
ready TO get INTO the saddle the teacher
is not compelled to tire himself By
running along with the wheel.
After tho ability 10 balance i.
obtained the rider should attempt tc
take a seat in the saddle. This ht
may do by still keeping one foot on tht
step, so that il he is sure that no is
going to fall he may leap out of thu
wheel in very short time. Practic,
pedaling with one foot whlle th,
other rests on the step. When this il
thoroughly learned it is but sligh
step and an easy one to take the othel
foot from the step and use it on thu
pedals. Then tho lesson is done. Th'
method is not applicable to womei
riders, however They are to b
taught in the regular manner, b.
guiding their wheels while they are il
the saddle and gradually inducing
them to depend upon themselve
alone.