Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-09-24
BICYCLING FOR WOMEN.

DAV VAAAAvv AVN AAvAs
WHAT IT HAS DONE TO IMPROVE
THEIR PHYSICAL CONDITION.
Wheeling Possesses Charms Enjoyed b.
No Other Forms Of sport.--Ths Danger
of attempting Too Much At First
Mr.. Isaac b. Potter, Chief Consul Of
the New York Division, League OF
American Wheelmen, has an article on
1.-THE Bicycle Outlook" In The Century.
The following Is an extract.
After a close study Of the question
for FIVE years, am ready to express
my belief that the use OF the bicycle
will do more to Improve the physical
condition of American women, and
therefore of the American people, than
any other agency yet devised. Argu-
ment 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 Its
benefits and its popularity. The aver
age woman loves to be out Of doors;
she enjoys the change Of scene, the
gentle exercise, the delightful compan-
ionship OF congenial friends, and the
exhilarating benefits of contact with
the pure air and bright sunlight,
which the knowledge Of cycling 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 exercise, bicycle-riding may Of
course be overdone, and as well by
women as by men; but under proper
advice from the family physician, sup
plemented by such practical sugges-
tons as may be had from an intelli-
gent instructor or from an expert
enced rider, any woman in fair con-
ditiOn of health may undertake bi-
cycle-riding with feeling Of certainty
that the result will be delightful and
helpful in a measure that was never
anticipated.
A mistake commonly made by wom-
en- riders, and indeed by new riders Of
both sexes, Is that of undertaking too
much at first. Overexertion induces
encouragement, and recollection of a
tiresome ride has been known to deter
new riders 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 con-
tinue the first trip to such a point as to
feel WEAKNESS. A half hour is In most
cases ample for the first road ride, and
1t should not be continued beyond that
time, except by the strongest and most
capable rider. The tyro exerts more
quence becomes more rapidly tired. He
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
swinging 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 other
wise 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, remembering that the exertion
which he puts forth in his first efforts
a little skill has been acquired, to pro-
pei his wheel many miles farther than
was covered by his first trip. If the
first ride Is wearisome, 1t should not
be repeated 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
suffering too much fatigue.
Bicycling for women has received
the Endorsement of our leading women
and our best physicians. The bicycle
dealers of most of our large towns
state that the number Of bicycles sold
to women Is daily increasing, and that
the established popularity of bicycling
among the gentle sex is assured. The
tendency Of the bicycle market to
lower prices, even of wheels of the re-
liable 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 de-
lightful country roads and shaded
lanes can be so kept as to make more
general the practice Of touring during
the vacation season Of the year, the
wheel will have gained its true meas
ure of value as health restorer, and
will attract thousands Of riders from
among the women of the land who do
not yet know the joys Of hearty APP
petite and of refreshment induced by
sound sleep.