The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19
WALKING VERSUS RIDING.
AN EXPERT ATHLETE ON LONG
TIME CYCLE RACES.

Torture to COmpc titOPs-They Lack
Fresh Air, Are DOsed with StImu-
Innts and Use Only One side of the
BOdy-Ride Always TO the Left - A
study of walking for Health.
F. p. Weston in New York Herald.
was much pleased to see the editorial
exhibition in the Madison Square garden
during the week. Incidentally, allusion was
made TO six-dGy walking contests. There
are no comparisons, for walking contests
are natural, and the exhibition of the BIZ
cycle during the last week was entirely
artificial and took place under the mos,
dIscouraging conditions.
1t was on an artificial track especially
prepared to make great speed ana the
consequent destruction of the competitors'
brains, for they were forced to go one way
to the left always-thus using but one
side of their bodies, and virtually carry
ing the other side, which, in due time, be-
came a useless burden. Then, again, the
atmosphere was abominable for they were
forced to ride through clouds of smoke.
and not one breath of pure and invigorat-
ing air was allowed to reach them
The bare fact of being forced to ride al
ways 20 the left is the greatest cruelty;
if any one doubts 1t let him walk thirty or
fifty miles consecutive times around the
table in an ordinary drawing room. ana
he will then see the effect upon his brain,
and also may experience a singular feel.
ing in his stomach. To an ordinary man.
this bicycle track, said to be mine laps
to the mile" would shrink TO the size of
a drawing room table by the time he haa
whirled himself around 1t 200 miles, at
the rate of twenty miles al hour
The position the bicyclers maintain dur
ing such contests cpngests the stomach
and is ruinous to the digestive organs.
They seemingly We're governed by no sys-
TEN whatever, but were directed by their
SO-called trainers who, instead of laying
out a schedule or time table when they
should rest and how long, they each in
turn tried to get the lead, and were driven
beyond their natural strength by trainers
who dosed them with alcoholic stimu-
lants.
realize the fact that no one is capable
of arguing the condition Of any man dur
ing six days test of physical endurance,
except one who has himself engaged in
such contests; and therefore / unhesitat-
ingly say that had these competitors es-
sayed their task in the open air on a mile
track, and been allowed 10 change their
course going to the righO say once in
five miles and avoided the use Of stimu-
lants, they would not have been such hid
eous looking wrecks as they are now.
The moment a competitor engaged in
any contest of physical endurance resorts
to the use of alcoholic stlmulants he
ceases to be natural, and they act upon
him the same as a spur acts upon a horse
and force him TO so beyond his strength.
Regarding siX-day walking contests
having inaugurated that "pastimc" my
self some twenty-five years ago. ] main
tain that, properly conducted, and without
the use of artificial stimuants, they are
not cruel, or the least injurious to health
On the contrary, / maintain that the man
who runs so many yards in so many sec
onds does his vital organs more harm, and
the action of the heart Is tenfold more in
furious than it would be If he were TO walk
100 miles in twenty-four hours once a
month for each of the twelve months in
the year.
have nothing to say against the bicy-
Gle used IN moderation, but ! do think
that the great Creditor gave to each of US
the implements to use for taking much
needed exercise.
Walking as an exercise cannot be over
estimated. Riding, rowing and swimming
have always been highly recommended as
health restorers, but walking has gener-
ally been more or less overlooked. Then
some one invented base ball, and immedi-
ately began to expatiate on its reactive
powers Afterward, lawn tennis came in
vogue, end the gymnasium, and now, the
bicycle and foot ball.
Doubtless these are all amusing and
healthy exercises; but as not more than
one person in a hundred can afford to in
dulge in them, what are the ninety-nine to
do? Now, walking costs nothing In fact,
considerable money might be saved in the
way Of Doctors bills and car fares did this
simple, harmless exercise become fashion,
able.
But no; one Of the unwritten laws that
govern this world rs, Favor everything
that is expensive; despise everything that
Is cheap" Many persons, too, are inter
ested in promoting any sport that requires
accessories, the selling OF which insure
them a good income, while walking bene-
Ats no one but the individual who INDUCES
in Il, and the dividends Of horse car com
panes aud elevated roads might grow very
much smaller did pedestrianism find fa-
vor with the multitude
And yet 1t Is pltiful sight to go around
In summer hotels and boarding houses and