The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-09-18
BICYCLING FOR WOMEN.
What 1t Has Done to Improve Thsi1
Physical Condition.

what 1t Has Done to Improve Their
| Physical ondision.
After close study of the question fol-
five years. L am ready to express my be
lief that the use of the bicycle will dc
more to improve the physical eOndi-
ton of American women, and therefore
OF the American people, than any other
agency yet devised. Argument on thif
point has given way TO demonstration.
Women are riding the wheel ;Elii f,er, Is
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-
ightful 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 well 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
IN,
fair condition of health may undertake
bicycle-riding with feeling of certain
" that the result will be delightful and
helpful in a measure that was never
anticipated.
A mistake commonly made by women
riders, and indeed by new riders of both
sexes, is that of undertaking too muck
at first Overexertion induces discour
agement, and recollection of tiresome
ride has been known 70 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 q point as 10 feel
WEAKNESS. A halfhour is in most cases
ample for the first road ride, and L
should not be continued beyond tina. /
time, except by the strongest and mos 4
capable rider. The tyro exerts more I
power than the expert. and IN consa- 4
quence becomes more rapidly tired He /
pushes the pedals with undue force, fails 1
TO sit erect, fails to sit still, AID tends 20 /
follow what seems TO him 70 be al /
erratic motion of the wheel By swing I
ing end webbing OF the body which no, 4
only teE6s to increase and make real 4
what was only an imaginary difficulty, 4
but insures also the quick coming %
fatigue, that might otherwise have been
avoided.
The newrider should learn TO SIT cree.
and 20 sit still. and in the early stages of
his road practice avoid long rides, -
that the exertio1 which he
puts forth IN his first efforts VIII lie
more than sufficient, Is soon ss littis
skill has been acquired. TO propel his
wheel many miles farther tazn was
covered by his first trip. II the first
ride is wearison-. il should not Dc -
peate3 on the next following car. but
rather upon alternate days Until such
skill IS acquired as VIII enable the new
rider 70 enjoy his outing without su1er-
ing too much tatigue.
bicycling for -o-1sea hs< recei~ed tie
Of our leading women and
our best physicians. The bicycle-de2l-
IRIS OF most Of our large towns state thai
the number Of bicycles sold 70 women
5 ea..y Increasing. and tkas the .css2S-