The record-union., 1899-07-31

during comparative repose, but muscu-
lar exertion or emotion obliges them to
supplement nasal respiration by open
ing the mouth. If one takes the trou-
able to look at the cyclists who pass,
from this point of view, some surprise
will be caused by the very small NUM-
Der among them who can ride at from
seven to ten miles an hour without
breathing through the mouth. This rel
ative obstruction is a serious thing, be-
cause it deprives the cyclist of a great
safeguard just when circumstances
| render the safeguard more than ever
desirable. Whether in the crowded
| thoroughfares of large towns or in the
wind whipped roads and lanes of the
country, dust is always present, usual
~ in very uncomfortable quantities. 1t
''blisters'' the eyes, irritates the deli
cate mucous membrane of the nose, and
llif inhaled as the result of breathing
through the mouth, tangible quantity
must inevitably find it's way into the
bronchi, and even into the finer rami-
fications of the pulmonary air passages
The inability to carry on respiration
through the nose should be regarded
as positive disqualification for cycle
riding, for there can be no doubt OF
the injurious results of inhaling the
f1inty and often microbe-laden dust
which the cyclist has to meet, unless,
indeed, mouth breathers would consent
to wear respirators."
One of the questions now agitatinS
English bicycle riders is that of the
length of the crank, which may be re-
garded as the lever by which the driv-
Ing power of the rider is transmitted
AT present the great majority of wheels
have cranks about 61a inches long.
While perhaps 65 inches may be taken
as approximately the average gear
The higher the gear the further the
bicycle travels with each stroke of the
pedals, SO the work done per stroke is
in exact ratio to the gear. 1t also fol-
lows that the power applied must vary
in the same proportion if the same ease
of driving is to be maintained. y
convenient means of regulating the
power applied would be through the
length of the crank, and this some rid
ers have done, and a general discussion
has been precipitated. Whether it is
advisable to make the cranks-as some
use a high-geared machine with the
same application of power as a low
geared wheel, is question to be de-
cided by individuals. In fact in the
whole discussion too little attention has
been paid to personal equation" as
what might suit one rider would be en-
tirely unsuited to another. The in
dividual rider can experiment with diff
ferent length pedals at small cost, and
when he has got the combination best
suited to him, he should be chary OF
recommending it to another, whom 1t
might not suit at all.
The New York sidepath law is now
in force. A convention of wheelmen of
the State is to be held in Rochester
in the fall to consider Improvements i'll
the law to forward it's general bene
ficence.
Captain Clay of the c. c. w led
the club run to CORTLAND yesterday.
Only few went out, namely, Captain
Clay, Lieutenants Eldred and Pearl,
and Messrs Hubert. VIM, Welch.
twenty-five miles, was made each way
in 1:55. The roads were found to be
very heavy, dusty and dragging, so
that the group was literally pumped
out" by the time of return. 1t was a
prayerful company for good roads.