The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-19
HOW TO RIDE A WHEEL.
Some Good Points Given Cyclists by a
Doctor.

Doctor.
A great deal of space in newspapers, mag
azines and periodicals has been devoted to
the publication of the opinions of physicians
on the harmlessness or harmfuiness OF the
bicycle. The praises and the curses of the
physicians have been principally directed
toward the wheel for women. The majority
of the medical men give the wheel their
hearty support Some have gone into de-
tail and have shown that in some cases the
wheel could not be beneficial and have sug-
gested that it is well for people to know
their physical condition before attempting
to become riders. But the general opinion
seems to be that for moderate use there are
few cases where d wheel would be really
harmful A well-known physician now Of
fers some sound advice to bicyclists and
prospective bicyclists. He assumes that the
person reading his suggestions is not in the
very small class which should not ride at
ALL He gives the following ten suggestions:
I'm purchasing wheel take as much
care to have it fit you as you would in OBJ
tanning a gown or d suit of clothes.
BE sure that when sitting upright you
do not have to reach to maintain the ball
of the foot on the pedal during an entire
revolution. In other words, when the pedal
has reached the most distant point from
the body be sure there is slight bend
in the leg at the knee.
Adjust the handle bars at a level, which,
when the arms are fully extended, will
keep the body in an almost upright position.
In riding long distances the handle bars
should be dropped trifie, so as to increase
the leverage by backward as Well as
a forward push.
Before purchasing wheel make an ar
rangenent with the dealer whereby you
may be allowed to make trials of different
saddles Until you find one that i perfectly
is the most necessary element in safe and
comfortable riding. No one saddle will fit
all riders; sometimes many must be tried
before the correct model is found Incline
to a saddle that is stiff and moderately pro-
vided with springs, and which is broad
and short, rather than long and narrow. A
soft saddle, whether of padded leather or
inflated rubber, will always chafe when
ridden a long distance. The pommel found
on the majority of saddles is a very neces-
sary adjunct ii cannot be dispensed with
There must be sufficient cut out at the sides
of the saddle so that there will be no in
reference with the muscles of the interior
and posterior aspect of the thigh on the
downward stroke. This lack of common
concavity to the sides is a common defect
in the many so-cailed anatomical saddles.
The most important object to be attained
in the adjustment of the saddle is to have
the Dommel high enough TO give the body
a slight tendency to slip backward, thus
keeping the weight off the perineum as it
is most important that it should be borne
by the gluteal muscles and the tuberosities
of the isthium.
1.-The average woman should never ride
a wheel geared higher than sixty-four
inches; the average man higher than sew
enty inches Remember that the higher
the gear the greater the power required to
move a given distance.
After having become accustomed to the
use of a bicycle, never take a ride so long
that good nights sleep viii not entirely
remove all traces of fatigue. Twenty-Five
TO fifty miles a day, according to the sur
face of the couI try, should not be exceeded
by the average rider.
Always walk up a steep hill; it will save
your heart.
Never ride simply with the idea of arriv-
ing al the earliest possible moment at a
given destination; ride for the pleasure that
is TO be got from Il.
While riding use the same sense I'm drink
ing that you would in watering a horse
Also, like horse, stick closely to water
as a beverage. Remember that alcohol
stimulates the heart and circulation in
much the same way that exercise does and
that II you uae 1t in any form while wheel