The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-10-01
BICYCLING FOR WOMEN.
Whist 1t Has Done to Improve Their
g%F Physical Con ditlon.

BICYCLING FOR WOMEN.
Whist 1t Has Done to Improve Their
8~Ef Physical Con dition.
After a close study of the question for
five years, am ready to express my be-
lief that the use of the bicycle will do
more to improve THE physical condi-
ton of American women, and therefore
of the American people, than any other
agency yet devised. Argument on this
point has given way to demonstration.
Women are riding the wheel in all parts
of the country, and their increasing
numbers testify to it's benefits and its
popularity. The average woman loves
to be out of doors; she enjoys the change
of scene, the gentle exercise, the de-
lightful companionship OF congenial
friends, and the exhilarating benefits
of contact with the pure air and bright
sunlight. which the knowledge of cy-
cling brings within her reach. To the
woman, as to the man. these features,
possessed by no other form of sport.
comprise the foundation on which the
popularity of the bicycle will rest
The only possible danger in cycling
for women lies'in the fascination which
sometimes tempts her to undue effort.
In common with every other form of ex-
ercise, bicycle riding may of. course be
overdone, and as we'll by women as by
men; but under proper advice from the
family physician, supplemented by such
practical suggestions as may be had
from an intelligent instructor or from
en- experienced rider, any woman in
fair condition Of health may undertake
bicycle-riding with a feeling of certain
ty that the result will be delightful and
helpful in a measure that was never
anticipated.
riders, and indeed by new riders of both
sexes, is that of undertaking too much
at first. Overexertion induces discour.
agement, and recollection of a tiresome
ride has been known to deter new rid.
ers from repeating the attempt. The
real pleasure of bicycle riding can be
had only by keeping in mind this little
truth. No new rider should continue
the first trip to such point as to feel
WEAKNESS. A half-hour is in most cases
ample for the first road ride. and il
should not be continued beyond that
time, except by the strongest and most
capable rider. The tyro exerts more
power than the expert, and in conse-
1uence becomes more rapidly tired. H.
pushes the pedals with undue force. fails
-. to sit erect, fails to sit still, and tends to
follow what seems to him to be an
erratic motion of the wheel by a swing
ing and wobbling of the body which not
only tends to increase and make real
what was only an imaginary difficulty,
but insures also the quick coming OF
fatigue, that might otherwise have been
avoided.
The new rider should learn to sit erect
and to sit still, and in the early stages OF
his road practice avoid long rides, re-
membering that the exertion which he
Euts forth in his first efforts will be
more than sufficient, as soon as little
skill has been acquired, to propel his
wheel many miles farther than was
covered by his first trip. If the first
ride is wearisome, it should not be re-
peated on the next following day, but
rather upon alternate days, until such
skill is acquired as will enable the new
rider to enjoy his outing without suffer
ing too much fatigue.
bicycling for women has received the
Endorsement of our leading women and
our best physicians. The bicycle-deal-
crs of most of our large towns state that
the number of bicycles sold to women
is daily increasing, and that the cstab-
lishcd popularity of bicycling among
the gentle sex is assured. The tendency
of the bicycle market to lower prices,
even of wheels of the reliable grade.
will doubtless increase the use of the
wheel among women, and enhance its
aggregate benefit to the sex.
When the time comes that the delight
full country roads and shaded lanes cal,
be SO kept as to make more general the
practice of touring during the vacation
season of the year, the wheel will have
gained it's true measure Of value rs a
health restorer, and will attract thou
sands of riders from among the women
of the land who do not yet know the
joys of hearty appetite and Of refresh
ment induced by sound sleep.-1saac l..
Potter, in Century.
ON SWIMMING RACES.
-
Tho Manner OF Making u Start Moods
Much Practice.
Co.