The record-union., 1898-05-25

Men who are athletic and fond of
graceful exercises admire women of like
disposition. All persons like health and
physical symmetry, though the major
lty are inclined to take unfavorable in
heritance, as so much misfortune for
which they consider there is no rem
edy. If their strength falls below the
| average degree, it is deemed a mild
calamity somewhat to be regretted.
Among men and women there is a new
appreciation of the reward Of efforts
made for the renewal or increase of
health and muscular force. People have
taken exercise awheel who would never
have met the benefit in other manner,
and it is this result from health or
physical standpoint which 9ndears the
bicycle to the larger portion of those
who ride it.-Morry.
sit erect, ride moderately. Short of
fatigue it is healthful, and you will live
long" are wise words from a we'll
known physician.
New York Tribune: A reader of the
Tribune" who says he is a veteran
cyclist claims he has made certain dis
coveries regarding the saddle and the
proper clothing for riders which may
interest wheelmen, and especially those
who are novices. He writes as follows:
1T is a well recognized fact that one
| of the principal drawbacks Of bicycle
riding, particularly for the beginner,
| is saddle soreness" Hence we find
| that there is no end Of different sad
| dies on the market-pneumatic, hy-
gienic, padded and what not-all claim
! ing to obviate this distressing ailment.
! Now, after covering a great many
| thousands Of miles over country roads,
and experiencing no end of Saddle
| soreness I am fully convinced that the
fault is not with the saddle, but with
the seams in the riders trousers. Let
any rider examine his trousers, and he
| will find the inner seams harsh and
coarse, especially SO about those parts
which come in direct contact with his
| body when sitting in the saddle. Early
| last season I took my trousers to my
tailor and had all the seams pressed as
fiat as possible. Then l had a circular
piece of soft cloth Ito avoid clumsiness)
stitched on the inside, covering the
seams. What was the result? l COW
cred three thousand miles without a
particle of soreness. l found myself
able to tride twenty-five miles or more
without dismounting, and ride a fairly
hard saddle at that. And SO 1 say that
firmly believe that trouble is not with
the saddle, but with the tailor. If my
experience will be of any use to fellow
riders, trust you will ventilate it,
Jervis Weekly: The chainless wheel
has encouraged makers in the direction
of turning out heavier heels. Low
prices have conspired to increase this
tendency, as light wheels cannot be
made cheaply. Not only wheels, but
saddles and tires are heavier this year.
1t appears, however, that a fully equip
ped chain wheel including gear case
and brake, is not as heavy as the regu-
lation chainIess. Some dealers say the
demand for chainless wheels is good,
others report to the contrary. Nearly
all agree that the inclosed chain model
is becoming constantly more of fac
tor. While some dealers ask So extra
for gear case and claim that they
obtain it easily, others offer it as true
part Of the wheel and ask nothing ex-
ira. The latter class say that before
long competition will drive all dealers
to offer the best American gear case
free, as a regular equipment.
There are indications that saddle
makers are beginning to do their de-
signing with a certain Improvement
idea held in common. This idea is the
solution of the pommel problem. The
pommel of a saddle is something that
is always more or less annoying and
yet it is a feature that cannot well be
dispensed with. For some time it has
been regarded as necessary evil.
Many plans have been tried in modify
ing the shape and size of pommels in
order to make them less Objectionable,
but some unpleasant pressure has
seemed unavoidable. A few makers
have tried making saddles without
pommels and some of this style are
still on the market Their use, how
ever, quickly demonstrates the value of
the pommel which is something every
rider does not understand. The fact
that many have to try saddle without
pommel and then change back to the
pommel style before they learn what
they want proves the ignorance exist
ing in this direction. The sole use for
the pommel is that of steadying the
wheel Every rider who has tried the
wheel cannot be so well controlled and
kept from wabbling with no pommel
between the legs. There are few per-
sons, though, to whom the pressure Of
the pommel is so Objectionable that
they prefer to work harder with the
arms and suffer slight loss Of control
rather than use pommel.
The question Of how to get rid of the
latter as a nuisance and yet retain it as
a necessity is the one that saddle MAX
ers are now wrestling with. Evidences
that this is becoming a common object
in construction are at hand in the new
designs that are appearing.
It will be noticed that more wheels
will be found equipped with brakes this
year than ever before. This is a good
sign, for while the brake may not be
needed once in a long time, the chances
are that when you do need it you will
need it badly, and it may possibly save
you from serious accident.
Brazilian wheelwomen show marked
partiality for American bicycles instead
of those made in France or England, |
although the latter wheels are much |
cheaper there. None but wel-made |
wheels will stand the rough cobblestone |
pavements of most South American
cities, and the women, after having
tested different makes Of wheels, have
adopted those of American manufac- |
tEre, as they find them the most last
ing.