Youth's Educator For Home And Society

CHAPTER XXVIII. CYCLING.

TRAVELING A-WHEEL has become so common among all classes and all grades of society that a chapter devoted to ETIQUETTE FOR CYCLERS will not be amiss in a work of this character. Indeed, in these days, no book on the art of behavior would be complete without such a chapter.

Half the world is now on wheels, while the other half is about equally divided between those who would like to cycle but have not the physical courage and those who consider a "bike" a pet device of his Satanic Majesty and are directly opposed to its use as a means of recreation or to serve the purpose of economy.

Never before has a" fad" or "craze" taken so firm a hold on both sexes as that of riding a-wheel, and, unlike most fads, which after a brief existence, sink into desuetude,

BICYCLING HAS COME TO STAY;

and to the hundreds of men and women who are connected directly or indirectly with the professions, people our immense office buildings or act as salesmen or saleswomen in our stores, the wheel comes as the greatest benefaction of the time, not only affording rapid transit to and from their places of business, but is also a delightful and healthful recreation and gives to them the-out-of-door air and exercise essential to perfect health.

An Etiquette on Cycling is imperative, and although of necessity many of the rules thereof, being deduced from individual opinions and the customs of certain localities, are extremely elastic; others are the same the world over and will be observed by all who respect the best " form."

Here we wish to record a protest against following English or French form. If there is one thing of which more than another the American woman should be proud, it is the independence accorded to her in matters of this kind; and the confidence in her womanhood, the faith in her uprightness this independence implies. Some of our women and girls who make occasional trips to Europe endeavor to ape foreign manners and customs, but the truly American woman scorns that which savors of snobbishness and will have no patience with that" Frenchy" etiquette which requires at all times for her, if young, the attendance of a chaperon; if middle-aged or elderly, the companionship of a man.

The saying that, as a rule, "A woman receives no attention (desirable or otherwise) which she does not invite," is as true of the woman cycler as the one who travels by steam car, street car or the simple pedestrian. On account of the lower estimate placed upon womanhood in foreign countries, the constant attendance either of an elderly woman or one of the other sex may there be needful, but

IN AMERICA

the woman who minds her business may go wherever duty calls her.

Of course, the first essential in cycling is a perfect wheel, safe, easy-running, with saddle built high and wide in the back, sloping away and downward in front, and fitted out with a clock, a bell, luggage carrier, and if the rider cares for records, a cyclometer.

CONCERNING THE COSTUME

of gentlemen, we shall have little to say, but are glad to be able to record that the determined effort which has been made on the part of many to make bloomers the most popular of cycling costumes for ladies has signally failed. Indeed, nothing so ugly or inartistic could long be popular. There are always some ladies who adopt everything novel whether from a desire to appear conspicuous or otherwise; but the woman who would appear graceful either a-wheel or a-foot will never appear in bloomers unless they be partially concealed by a short skirt. Women have for generations been so accustomed to skirts that it is impossible for then to acquire grace of motion without them.

Anyone moves much more gracefully when the motion of the upper part of the limbs is concealed; even men presenting a much more graceful appearance in skirted coats than in the sack or blouse which is adopted for business wear.

The most modest as well as the most convenient costume for ladies consists either of Knickerbockers or Turkish trousers and a skirt which extends half way from the knee to the boot and is met by leather leggings or those of cloth to match the costume. Any one of the numerous jackets at present in vogue is suitable for the bicycler and should be finished with loops on the inside, that when not worn it may be attached' to the saddle-hook or horn. The hair should (if the cycler be an elderly lady ) be firmly coiled on the top of the head and thoroughly secured with hairpins or comb. If the rider is a young lady it may be worn in a loose braid.

The selection of the hat may depend entirely upon the choice of the wearer. The Tam O'Shanter is very popular, as also is the felt walking hat with a narrow rim which tends partially to protect the eyes from the glare of the sun.

Of course, a gentleman who accompanies ladies is

EVER ON THE ALERT

to assist his companion in every possible way; he should be capable of repairing any slight damage to her machine which may occur en route and at all times provided with the proper tools for so doing. He will, of course, assist her in mounting and dismounting, and should she be so unfortunate as to take a header, he will soon be at her side to assist her to rise, making himself generally useful and incidentally agreeable. His place on the road is at her left, that he may the more carefully guard her when meeting other cyclers, teams, etc., he risking all danger from collisions.

IN MOUNTING,

the gentleman accompanying the lady holds her wheel; she stands at the left, places her right foot across the frame to the right pedal, which at the same time must be raised; pushing this pedal causes the machine to start, and then with the left foot in place she starts ahead very slowly, in order to give her companion time to mount his wheel and join her. When their destination is reached the gentleman dismounts first and appears at his companion's side to assist her, and if she be a true American woman she will assist herself as much as possible.

To dismount in the most graceful form one should gradually slacken speed, and when the left pedal is on the rise throw the weight of the body upon it, cross the right foot over the frame of the machine, and with an assisting hand step with a light spring to the ground.

In meeting a party of cyclists who are acquaintances and desire to stop for a little conversation the gentlemen of the party dismount and sustain the ladies' wheels, the latter retaining their positions in the saddle.

Above all else a lady should at all times maintain an upright position, and on this account should be provided with a machine on which the handles turn upward rather than downward. The stooping posture assumed by so many ladies on the wheel is not only coarse and decidedly ugly, but exceedingly harmful, and will, in a very short time, tend to curvature of the spine, compression of the lungs and their consequent diseases. Many riders claim that one rides much more easily, when facing the wind, to bend forward, and thus break its force, but it were far better to ride a shorter distance than to risk the ills of which we have spoken. Indeed, no woman' should ever ride after a feeling of weariness is experienced; the strain on the nerves and muscles is great and should never be protracted after Nature gives the warning.

The limit of speed is only a little less important than the limit of distance, which is designated by the feeling of weariness. No man can ride at full speed for long distances and still retain health and perfect vigor, and it is certain, therefore, that no woman can maintain a high rate of speed for one mile without laying the foundation for future suffering. There is no relaxation of the tension of either muscles or nerves between the revolutions of the pedals. Many ladies complain, after riding for a time, of a stinging sensation in the limbs and feet. This is caused by the undue action of the heart forcing the blood into the arteries more rapidly than the veins can return it, and incipient paralysis or apoplexy may result.

TANDEM WHEELS

are now and then seen upon the road, but will never be popular for the reason that those who enjoy each other's society sufficiently to desire to ride together much prefer to be side by side, where they can enjoy that which is often the better part of conversation – the play of the features; and until some inventive genius produces a double wheel which provides side by side sittings the ordinary single bicycle will continue in favor. Some gallants provide themselves with tow-lines or chains, which they attach to their fair companion's wheel, and are thereby enabled greatly to assist her in rising long or steep hills. Many ladies, too, experience a greater sense of security when aware that they are not left entirely dependent upon their own efforts to maintain an upright position.

Properly used, the bicycle is certainly a promoter of health, developing, as it does, muscles which are otherwise seldom brought into play. It secures for women that highly desirable condition of flesh, a firm, solid tissue, when muscles are flexed and a velvety softness with muscular relaxation.