The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-28
WOMAN And THE BICYCLE
Some Advice as to Saddles, Gear and
Clothing for Women.
New York Sun

New York Sun.
Yesterday at the meeting of the Brook
lyn Health Culture Club the president intro
duced Mrs. Eta Morse Hudders. who lee
tured on Cycling in Its Relation to
Health" Mrs. Hudders said: "a few years
ago 1 would not have dared to stand here
and advocate cycling for health. DR.. Ham,
mond, 1 believe. was the first physician to
advocate the use of the wheel for health,
and he was frowned upon by the medical
profession when he dared to read a paper
on that subject Later he was condemned
by outsiders end the press. At the present
time many physicians and health promoters
advocate the bicycle with one proviso,
namely. that it shall be nationally used.
There is no such thing as age when it
comes TO bicycling, 1t does away with a
thought very disagreeable to woman-old
age. l used to hear women say, L don't
want to live until I am "A burden to my
children We never hear that now and
women will not know what old age is so
long as they keep up the activities of life
instead of waiting for it. The bicycle keeps
the mind. the heart and the body young"
That's So" said a white-haired grand
mother in the audience.
When I first said that I would speak
on cycling" continued Mrs. Hudders,
many people said, L don't see what you
can say You just get on a wheel and ride,
and that settles the cycling question: This
idea has wrought unfortunate results I'm
sorry that more attention has not been paid
to teaching bicycle riding. We have our
schools where people are taught TO ride
horseback and to dance properly. And we
have our bicycle academies. but the object
seems TO be to keep pupils from falling off.
1t seems to me if we do not have a better
knowledge of controlling the machine that
WI will have to adopt some of the regula-
lions required abroad. For instance, a
mary examination before being allowed to
ride through the streets. I'd like To see
cycling become an. art Stand on a boule-
ward and watch the procession of wheel
women. You are filled with admiration
when you see a woman go Swimming along.
calmly sister behind her as she struggles
TO make the wheels go round, you are tlled
Willis with dismay- 1t is Tu, the NAY her eTuy wheel he's is
strained position. Usually whatever we do
easily we do right. When we have to make
a great effort something is wrong. So it Is
in wheeling.
"A great deal depends on first instruc-
ton. A cyclist should never go on the
road unless he or she can mount easily
from both sides. III there Is the slightest
question as TO the right of way the cyclist
should always give way to the pedestrian,
and to do this 1t is absolutely necessary TO
be able TO jump off from either side. Peo-
pie often ask how many lessons are neces-
sary. That depends upon the aptness of
the beginner. Wheelwomen have a tendency
to forget how many lessons they have taken
and are apt to say, l learned In one or
two lessons or / got on and rode right OF.
This is discouraging to beginners, and I've
never yet seen a person who got on a wheel
and rode right off or learned in onesor two
lessons
is the selection of a wheel. When we con-
slider that one is taking his life in his hands
don't misunderstood me, tor L don't want
to give the impression that cycling Is very
dangerous-it is necessary to have a good
wheel. That doesn't mean that you must
pay 800 for it. But if the standard wheels
cost that. pay il by all means. Nearly
every disaster is the fault of the rider, but
those that are not are due to cheap wheels.
The wheel should be fitted to the rider.
Too little attention IS paid TO the equip
ment of the wheel. Riders hear about high
gears, and they want one. We lind delicate
women taking the highest gear the manu-
f~acturer will let them have. They don't
look at this matter of gear in a rational
way. -
Is a positive blessing. The gear limit for
the average should not be
over 66l9 degrees wnlle lnVaids shouId
you increase your effort with your gear.
Don't raise your gear until you can raise
"Another important point is that of wear
ing apparel. 1t seems a pity that anything
but comfort and utility should be consid-
cred. The question of a few inches in the
length or fullness of n skirt makes all the
difference in the world in ones comfort,
health and safety. There is no use in try
ing 10 ride in a long skirt. If we could
experience the freedom that our brothers
have in cycling we would never ride in
skirts again. The prejudice is such that L
am homeless of seeing women without them,
so we must secure clothing that is as COM
Portable and flexible as possible. Tight
bands must be laid aside. or all the dan
gers connected with cycling none Is so great
as the corset. Not SO much is to be feared
from tightneSS and compression as from
that front steel. / have examined the dis
carded corsets of a number of wheelwomen
and find that they are fearfully strained
under the arms. Those side muscles have
been developed anu nature mas naoe an
effort 20 free herself. l would not advo-
cate doing away with all support. Some
figures require il. Let such adopt a corset
waist made of some well-ventilated ma
the hip movement The clothing of the
neck is also important. The linen collar
is the neatest thing that can he Worn, but
be sure 10 wear a size larger than you
usually wear.
Men are more sensible than women
about their collars. They never wear tight
collars. l wish women weren't so heroic.
They don't mind being uncomfortable.
Wear as little clothing as possible union
u-ndergarment. knlckerbOckers. a s~hirtwaist.
short skirt and coat are suffic1ent-and do
not lace your boots too tight. Women have
a tendency 10 draw strings too tight,
whether hey be I'm boots or somewhere
else that / need not mention"
The speaker next took up pedaling, Hill
climbing. and the adjustment of the frame,
and then she came TO the question of sad
dies. saying: Perhaps the most impor-
tant question is the choice OF a proper sad
die and its correct adjustment. There Is
something wrong If a rider Is conscious OF
the saddle while riding or afterward. Tho
fault IS usually. not in the saddle, but j4
its adjustment.
"Evsn those who sell wheels done al-
WAYS know how 10 adjust a saddle. Tie
two pelvic bones should rest on the saddle
with 40 pressure W else. When
ever there Is any forward pressure or on