Evening star., 1896-08-15
ADVICE TO THE GIRLS
Take Good Care of the Chain on Your
Wheel.
See THAT FHE SADDLE SETS RIGHT
lake an Easy, Natural and Grace
ful Position.
MANY THINGS TO AVOID
ZEE fHAf FHE SADDLE SETS RIGHT
MANY THINGS TO AVOID

where SO many ladies and girls ride wheels
as Washington. 1t is a common thing for
visitor to remark about the large number
OF young ladies, and older ones, too, for
that matter, to be seen spinning along over
the broad, smooth streets, especially during
the early evening. While the local people
take such sight In a matter-of-course
way, the visitor looks at 1t in different
light, and is not satisfied until he ascertains
the cause.
The fact that the bicycle as a means of
healthful exercise is unsurpassed is per-
haps the main reason. Then again, the
streets of the city offer unusual induce
ments FOR free and easy riding, even though
the new police regulations may be some
what against fast time. The wheel is not
now the luxury that 1t used to be- and the
persons OF moderate means can ride a bi-
cycle Just as well as their richer cousins
That the price Of wheels has been an i'm
portant factor In the number of riders is
evidenced by the increase during the past
year. Last year there were but compare
lively few female riders, but this year the
number jumped up and trebled and quad
rupled that Of last year with lightning
rapidity. People said 1t was the bicycle
rad. but an effective cause was in the reduc-
ton of the price.
There are some fair riders in the city who
laugh at the way some Of the male riders
hump themselves. and yet the figure these
same girls display while riding is Just az
ludicrous. Indeed, some Of the girls are
now aping the boys, and riding with handle
bars down far enough to cause them to
TEND over to reach the grips. This is not
graceful. nor does it look pretty.
Importance of q Correct Attitude.
1t Is common to see the young ladies rid
ing. looking considerably like a ball while
seated in the saddle. Even though a girl be
short and dumpy, she need not cut such
hgure as this. The rider looks as though
she were sitting directly on the mud guard
OF the rear wheel. 4.
Outside OF the chain the saddle is the
most important thing on the wheel While
the chain. IL properly kept in condition,
will make cycling a pleasure, the saddle,
unless ii suits the rider. is apt to counter
balance all enjoyments. What the chain
Is to the wheel the saddle is to the rider
The difference between a mans and d
Woman's saddle was never so marked as
this year. and this clearly demonstrates the
fact that the cycle manufacturers are
cognizant and catering to the demands of
the public. Select saddle that suits you
after thorough trial, and you will never
regret it.
With good saddle, assume a natural and
graceful position. Do not let the saddle
rest upon the top frame of the wheel, for
fear the saddle post will not stand your
weight. If the reach from the saddle to the
pedals Is so great as to make it necessary
for the saddle to be on the top bar of the
lower frame bicycle. To make a graceful
appearance and al the same time assume
a position which will tend to give all the
healthful exercise necessary. sit as nearly
straight in the saddle when walking.
The reach. which is the distance from the
saddle to the lowest point of the pedals
" hen revolved. should be nearly as long as
the leg. Assuming this position the rider
Is able to do more work than in any other
position it Is possible to take 1t brings
all of the muscles of the limbs into play.
permits none to get cramped and develops
all alike. This being the case, the cyclist
Is able to ride farther and longer. with the
least exertion. 1t does away with the ugly
sight Of virtually sitting on the mud guard
of the rear wheel, which makes a pretty
girl look SO different from the way she
would like to appear. So raise the saddle
pest until you get your reach, and ride
gracefully.
Correct Method of Pednling.
The method Of pedaling among the girls
Is varied. While some use the ball Of the
foot. others use the toe, but the great ma
5ority practically lock the pedal in the in
step and against the heel. The last two
positions are wrong, and cramp the mus
cles OF the ankle to certain extent, pre-
venting an equal development. The correct
position Is to pedal with the ball of the
foot resting sQuarely on the pedals. BY
force of habit many pedal with the instep.
because they claim that their feet slip of
the pedal when showing in any other man
ner. This clearly shows that they use very
little power in working the pedals. Fur
thermore. IT shows that they do not know
how to ride. With the least bit of power
the ball OF the foot can be kept in position,
especially where rat trap pedals are used
To those who cannot use the pedals in this
way 1t is best to use toe clips. though 1t Is
seldom that a woman uses such. Racing
men use toe clips because they are apt to
lose their pedal when showing the wheel
at a high rate Of speed. something to be
avoided. as 1t generally results disastrously
to them. For ordinary cycling toe clips
are not necessary.
To add to a graceful appearance of a
young lady on bicycle the ankle motion
OF the pedal Is good thing. This is a
simple movement, easily acquired, and to a
great extent prevents fatigue. More than
this, ii assists materially In pushing the
wheel. being most noticeable when climbing
a hill. The ankle motion Is what its name
implies. motion Of the ankle, more easily
executed than described The movement
Is exactly the same as when you sit in a
chair with your feet lifted from the ground,
and work them upward and downward
The smooth running of the machine has
much to do with the pleasure. Unless the
wheel receives attention 1t will begin to
work hard. requiring more power to push
IT. Endeavor to learn enough about the
machine to keep it in good running order
especially the chain, wherein lies most Of
the friction of the entire bicycle. Even
though you may not go so far as to re-
pair puncture, keep the machine running
smoothly. 1t is more for your own good
that you do this than for the good of the
machine.
Use bicycle suit when you ride, and do
not have too long skirts. If your wheel
has chain guard, and lacing, wear a
skirt to reach the top Of your walking
shoe. If you have no lacing or mud
guard, the dress should be much sh ,r.er
to keep 1t from getting tangled up in the