Evening star., 1897-04-03
FOR WOMEN CYCLISTS

The people of Louisville. KY are shock
ed at a six day female bicycle race, which
started last Monday. track was bulit
adjoining a brewery and ten riders were
secured. The track is a twenty-lap affair.
one on which a male rider would be afraid
to venture, but by the women this Is not
minded in the least The prizes hung up
are very small, aggresating only $500. pro-
yided the entire amount is paid. The race
did not prove the attf action it was thought
it would though the protector of the ailalr
cleared a few dollars by the venture Thcre
were ten riders at the start, dressed In
costumes similar to the racing suits oil
men, which proved an attraction for a
certain class of the inhabitants of the
Kentucky city. The people generally, how
ever boycotted the affair. and the project
was denounced. The girl riders of the city
itself were shocked at the mere announce
ment of the female race, and more than
one of the fair riders OF the city 1orSooh
the use of the machine on just this ac-
count. This did very little good 1t will
be hard matter to stop women racing.
especially now that it has got good loot
hold and the only way to do Is 10 troWn
down the idea of such a race, boycotting II
in the strict sense OF the word. So long
is there is any money offered as prize
there will be a certain class of females VINO
will contest, ana the safest and sureSt way
to abolish the evil is through the medium
of the pocket books of the managers OF
such affairs If the managers find they are
operating a losing game they will soon
abandon The idea.
Lord and Lady Osborne of England were
riding their wheels on the footpath near
the royal palace recently when they were
arrested by the constable for committing
such a serious offenSe near Windsor
The lord appeared before the magistrate
and was fined e. cents and costs. while
the wife, to avoid the publicity Of the thing,
sent a check for shilings to the consta-
BILE, thinking this sufficient to pay her
fine. The constable took different view
of the matter, and, thinking an attempt
was made to bribe him, had special war
rant issued and her ladyship was brought
before the same magistrate. who imposed a
fine of 10 shillings and the costs This is
held up as warning TO the rest OF TIE
cycling English nobility
If cne-half the things published about the
bicycle regarding the damage done were
only true the silent steed would be a mon
ster instead of thing of pleasure. Not
long ago some authority was quoted as
saying that bicycle riding was bad for
young ladies who played on the piano, as
the grip on the handle bars made the hands
SO callous as to ruin the touch and shape
of the hand. This is something terrible. IL
true Now the story Is going the rounds
of the press, emanating from some we'll
known doctor" who says that bicycling
practically kills a girl for dancing.
He says that the use of the wheel de-
tracts from the dancers grace and ease
of motion by ovcr-develop!iis all of the
muscles Of the lower limbs, and that one
formerly a graceful dancer becomes awk-
ward and bungling after a seasons ride.
There are any number OF young ladies in
this city who -efute the statement.
How many are there WHO take short spins
on pleasant evenings of summer to places
near the city where there is dancing? The
use of the wheel instead of destroying
Gi I
quicker and renders the fascinating dance
less tireSome.
Now another charge has come up. 1t is
that the use of the wheel is making the
women of today loud takers, with an un-
pleasant sound to their voices. and kills
the clear and resonant qualities that for
merly existed. The people who urge this
theory assert that wheeling, especially with
the mouth open, has a detrimental effect
on the vocal chords. and when to this is
added the strain to which the voice is sub
jected in an effort to keep uo a conversa-
ton while cycling, the danger seems
something more than shadow. Some per-
sons who have made voice culture a life
study are inclined to fall in with these
views. asserting that exercise on the wheel
is responsible for apparent alteration
In the voices Of women. One vocal teach
says:
while bicycle riding people freque rtly
fill their lungs with dust. and this is, OF
course. Injurious. Then the exercise leaves
the SYSTEM eAHduSlen anu Unable to resist
the bad effects of excessive perspirat lion.
A severe cold Is detrimental to the speak
ing voice, and when these colds are fire.
quent. as they are with bicyclists. they will
ultimately result in permanent injury. If
women would ride but a few miles at a
time and would keep their mouths closed
there would be no danger, but find that
many of my pupils cannot refrain from
OVERRIDING the sport. Professional women
realize the harm that bicycling does to
their voices but they say that they can
not bear to give up wheeling
London has another club for women The
new one has been founded In commemora
tion OF the sixteth year of the Queens
reign, and will be known as the Empress
C'yb. 1t will make provisions for bicycling.
and nave cycle houses. The Duchess OF
Somerset heads the list Of vice presidents.
DR.. and Mrs. McIlwraith. two Americans.
who are making a tour of the world have
been heard from at Bhamo, In upper Bur-
NAH. The two arrived there only q few
weeks ago. and. after a short rest, pFo-
ceeded on their long journey. Thev had
most enjoyable ride across China, starting