Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-09-16
THE BICYCLE FAD.

use the word advisedly, for, with most
of US, our china or book or spoon col.
lecting, nay, sometimes even our char.
tiles and our religion, do not amount to
the dignity even Of a hobby. But with
nine-tenths of those who have taken up
bicycle riding as fad 1t has proved so
inspiring and hygienic a recreation that
it has become almost a serious occupa-
ton, in so far, at least, as caring for
ones health can be called an occupa.
ton.
1t is undoubtedly to women that the
bicycle is to prove of the greatest and
most lasting benefit. Men are doing
all they can to offset the advantages Of
wheeling by improp,r positions, and
that most idiotc Of pastimes, scorching.
What will be the influence on the next
generation of this quadruped.like posi-
tion-of this curved bicycle spine
is problem alike to scientists and lay.
men. This is a matter, however, in
which, right here and now, mothers can
make their influence felt, and possibly
the immediate results will be CT lots
more worth to the nation than if we
could at once obtain the franchise. You
can impress upon your boy Of seven
(and no child under seven should ride
a wheeD the Importance of correct po-
sition and the danger OF racing.
For the past two generations the in
crease of nervous wrecks among women
has been frlghtful, and it has boon
plainly seen that some radical reform
must be worked in order to give the
American race fighting chance for a
place among 1.-THE survival of the fit.
test"
This the bicycle is, in large mea.
sure effecting. 1t is not so much that
it is taking women out of doors, altho'
that in itself is great step, but it is
giving them control of nerves. Either
woman must give up nerves "nerves"
that is, must gain the strength to
control them-or she must give up her
bicycle, and this she will be 10th to do
once she has tasted the bliss and exhil.
aration of riding. A glance at any
city street where women may be seen
deity weaving their wheels in and out
among teams, trucks, carriages and
dozens of other wheelmen, will convince
any one of the fact that these women
have no place for nerves.
There remains, however, small class
of women who declare they would new.
er dare to try to ride thing that can't
stand up by itself-women who are
really afraid to try to ride; and these
are the very women who need it most.
Let all such take their first lessons on a
tandem, with competent teacher to
ride behind, and after their first few
rides their enthusiasm will be sufficient
to break down any barrier of fear. Be.
sides allaying their nervousness, it will
have SO familiarized them with the
motions of pedalling, as we'll as with
some idea of balancing and steering,
that the single wheel will have lost its
terrors, and they will find, to their sur.
prise, that they not only can learn, but
have learned to ride.
As an amateur rider, | wish to give
a few words of advice and caution to
beginners. Many of the most serious
accidents occur from the persistence
with which inexperienced riders will
take much. frequented road. Now,
there is no accounting for the freaks of
a learner-for the wobbles and curves
he will make-and, although the curve
is undoubtedly line of beauty, it
ceases to become such on a crowded
road where a rider takes up both sides
at once. Therefore, if you value your
own safety, as we'll as that of your
neighbor, con6ne your practice to some
lonely stretch of road.
A rider can scarcely be said to have
her wheel thoroughly under control
with less than two hundred miles of
practice. Don't take the advice Of even
good riders, who tell you to ride with.
out brake. Accustom yourself to the
motion Of back pedalling so that you
can ride without it, but let it remain on
the wheel. There may arise occasions
when it will save your life. An unex-
pected turn in the road while going
down declivity may bring you full
upon such a stretch OF bad road or such
an occupancy of a good one that it will
be positively necessary to make short
stop at least shorter stop than could
be done by back pedallng alone, for
too short stops are always to be avoided
unless you would take header.
If you are wise woman you will
leave coasting alone. "Nine tenths of