Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-05
FEARS on sicyclEs.
Whseiman VIE ladsies IN csmpslltiehs Re-
sulrias Nsrvs aad Shiii.

A curious sort of AFFAIR has been
brought into existence in London called
the bicycle gymnasium. Although not
exactly what its name implies, 1t fur-
nishes an opportunity for the wheelman
10 perform ali sorts OF curious tricks. just
as the regulation gymnasium gives cor
responding opportunity to the athlete.
In this London bicycle gymnasium en-
OF Joining, Just as in a race, and these
entries close at least four days before the
gymnasium exhibition takes place. The
course is arranged so that as many spec
tators can witness the proceedings as
possible, and this in comfort. The pro-
gramme of events is as curious as the
idea itself. For instance, there Is the
egg and spoon race, in which one wheel
man is an egg and the other a spoon and
the spoon tries its best to gain possession
of the egg before a certain goal Is
reached
Another event Is called threading the
needle, which consists Of a devious wind
ing and turning of wheels in and about
one another, the one which doubles and
twists the most without acciden. being
considered the winner. One feature which
requires the skill of experts is duel with
singlesticks. the rider first falling after
his opponent has touched him being con-
sidered the loser. The Turks head is an
:. event always provocative of interest and
amusement, and is easily arranged. A
cocoanut in the husk Is balanced upon a
ISe WAX CdIlu1e, ABOUT lpuT Inches III
length, which the rider must cut through
making an excellent substitute for more
4 elaborate representation.
N Still another event is called slicing
lemons. and consists of one rider assail.
ing six other cyclists who travel side by
side. The lone rider must force from
the track each one of the six cyclists
within given distance. or he loses. This
is one of the, most difficult feats on the
programme, and but few riders have thus
lar succeeded In ACCOMPLISHING IL.
A Jack and Jill race is generally great
fun. The riders, entering in pairs. STAR
hand In hand for point at which a pal
of water has been placed. One of them
dismounts and takes this up, and at a
point marked by chalk line, half the
way home, the bucket has to be taken
while still riding. by the other competi
tor In cases where the course is fairly
wide one, several pairs start at once. the
winners being those who accomplish ths
feat in the shortest time and who spill
the least quantity of the water.
Such are some of the features Of the
exhibitions given in the gymnasium. A
the times when these exhibitions are no
taking place. the gymnasium which con
sists of large. rooted over space. fitted
In every possible way for the convenience
and pleasure of the cyclers, is utilized fol
practice. Special instructors are con
stantly in attendance, not to teach per
sons to ride in ordinary fashion, but II
help them to become experts and thor
ough masters of the wheel 1t is argued
by the wheelmen who have organized
this gymnasium that when cyclist real
ly puts his time to it he can learn to per
form almost many antics with the hi
cycle as IL his machine of steel wer,
really of flesh and blood.
Another feature of the gymnasium Il
that careful study is made of the effec
of the wheel from a health giving stand
point. A notable reform that the gymna
SUM directors intend making is to stoI
the humpback method of fast riding
They argue that the position of tn,
scorcher, as generally noticeable, is al
error of judgment and no assistanc,
whatever in the matter of speed making
If they say, a rider will learn to prop
erly use his legs there is no more neces
sity of STOPPING over until his nose near
ly touches the handle bars than there Il
of his riding his wheel backward.