Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-08-08

thrill of pride on seeing myself re-
fiected from my glass, in suit Of neat
blue duck, a pair OF high boots and
straw sailor hattie ideal toilet for
ladylike cycling.
For bicycle riding there must always
be some preparation. l have read that
the athletes train upon an empty
stomach in the morning before break
fast. But for pleasure and comfort
there can nothing be done before break
fast upon wheel. At least a glass OF
milk must be taken, or some fruit, or
something to stay" the stomach and
take away the empty feeling. To ride
upon an empty stomach is too much
like running an engine without fuel.
On that morning partook Of a light
breakfast and mounted my nickel steed
in front of my door and set out to 90
my century"
Now, before explaining how l did it,
I want TO give, and to get, clear I'M
derstanding of just what constitutes
century. Certain members Of the l..
A. w. originally claimed that it meant
riding 100 miles without stopping. But
this was soon argued down. 1t would
be impossible in practical riding 70 go
100 miles without dismounting. There
are too many obstacles in the road. y
wheelman meets a truck and must dis
mount or be run over. Again there is
a muddy place in the road, or, again.
beginner. that bette noir or the cycllst,
cuts off the path! 1t was also argued
that no one could or should try to rae
100 miles without stopping for refresh
ment. So the question, in the L. A. w.
ranks at least, was settled by deciding
that as long as the 100 miles were rid
den within twenty-four hours 1t would
be century run"
In riding l have always found that a
person can ride furthest alone. This
for several reasons. First, that the de-
sire to talk, and so spend ones force,
is less. And secondly, because one can
take ones own pace without regard TO
any one else. And in any kind or WORK
this is desirable when the best results
are to be obtained. Accordingly l set
out on my century run alone.
From my home to Grants tomb,
counting in the devious ways which
YOU take to get asphalted streets and
the prettiest scenery Of the drive, Is
about six miles, or twelve miles for the
round trip. This takes me along the
new wheelmans path on Riverside, ard
through all the beautiful windE3s OIL
the drive and, finally, down Tie hill and
up the grade that lies back OF the
famous tomP.+ 1t is said to be the
"WheelmalisF Path to Paradise" But
while ! Will not go to extremes regard
ihNit, l will say it is only surpassed
by the boulevards and wheelman's
paths in very few places l have Wis
tied. 1t is certainly ideal, overlook
ing as it does the Hudson at its broad
est and giving a view Of the palisades
up above.
To wheel from my home to the tomb !
and back is nothing. And without
stopping l took the journey twice.
Then. dismounting, climbed my front |
steps. and without telling my people at |
home Of the heroic self-imposed task |
before me, I had breakfast with the rest |
Of the family.
1 wish to say right here that no wo
man had ever a more devoted family /
than I, nor a more ideal home circle, |
and to remark that if had voiced my /
intention Of doing century that day, |
| should have been straightway pre- /
vented from mounting the wheel again. /
Even my little daughter would have .
Joined in the family protests; and be-
tween her and my devoted mother
should have had TO give in" So did .
as all great conspirators have done,
held my peace and remarked after
that I thought l should ride
again. This time my little girl accom-
panied me; and together we made the
tomb" twice.
1t may seem a monotonous trip to go
over ones tracks so many times in
single day, but the true wheelwoman
feels none Of that WEAKNESS common
to other travellers. AS Frances VIII
lard says, at is walking 'or flying six
inches above the ground" and the SEN