CYCLING FOR WOMEN.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume VI, Issue 2, 11 June 1896, Page 2

CYCLING FOR WOMEN.

A VALUARLE AID TO HEALTH. The best day of the tricycle is undoubtedly past; although, for elderly or nervous riders, or for those who only desire a little gentle "pottering" now and then about parks and avenues, it is by no means to be despised. But the safety is tho machine of the day. Light and dainty as it now is, well guarded for the protection of feminine draperies, designed so as to afford the most graceful and easy position possible-what better can the woman who wishes to cycle demand ? "Good Health "goes on to explain in the first place, and italicises the statement strongly, that a lady's bicycle does nob necessitate a divided skirt, or, in fact, any peculiar costume whatever. The frame of the machine is constructed in a U or V shape, with a wheel at either end of the letter, so to speak. The rider sits in the letter, her draperies hanging naturally and easily ; and if she has a machine that is properly adjusted to her height and reach she looks decidedly more graceful than on a tricycle. The work being also much less heavy than on a three-wheeler, she does not appear to bo labouring, unless she has cultivated a bad style. Of course, some women never look graceful on a bicycle, «* just as some cannot look well on a horse; ff but a well-taught, well-dressed girl on a, \ good machine ought to be an exceedingly pleasing spectacle. As to the hcalthfulness of cycling there can be no question. At the beginning it is necessary to be careful, and never to allow oneself to become over-tired ; but gradually, as the cycling muscles become developed, the rider will find herself able to extend her promenades farther and farther, and to manage her steed with a perfect confidence and ease that would have seamed impossible at first. She will sleep like a ploughboy at night, and find a relish for her meals during the daytime that she never knew before; she will probably acquire a very clear and fresh complexion (this is an advantage possessedeven by malecyclists,asa rule), find "nerves " and headaches things of the past, and live to bless the day when she adopted the pleasant and handy little steed that conveys her so happily and easily about. As to distances, they must be measured by the strength of the rider and the frequency of her opportunities for riding. The writer, who cycles daily, finds fifty miles a very comfortable run on a favourable day, and feels actual and unmistakable benefit from such rides. Others, who are not as well mounted, and cycle less frequently; do not find thirty on occasion at all too much ; and delicate girls, who could not possibly walk five miles, can often ride twenty without any ill results. Ido not recommend any woman to undertake long rides unless she is quite certain that her health is actually improved by them ; every cyclist should exercise common prudence and discretion ; but it is absurd to argue, as a certain well-known writer on cycling matters has frequently done, that no woman should ride more than fifteen or twenty miles in a day. I have taught many girls to ride, and have not yet come across one —even including the delicate specimens—who could not enjoy a day's ride of more than the above duration after a few months' cycling. As already stated, no peculiar dress is necessary; but the underwear and, if possible, the outer wear too should be all wool, to provide against chills when the rider is heated. Stays should nob be worn if they can possibly be dispensed with ; the loose coat and shirt style of dress (especially with the addition of a deep Swiss belt) makes it easy to do without them. Full knickerbockers should always be worn instead of underskirts, as the latter invariably "ruck up." The dress skirt should bo of short walking length, neat and plain, and not more than 3 yards wide. A couple of strips of garter clastic 4 or 5 in. long, may be safely pinned inside the frpnt some"2iftf. "apart, wrWf*k gentleman's necktie clip on the free end of each. This should be clipped on to the tongue of the shoe before mounting ; and the elastic, if properly adjusted, will nob drag, and the dress will be safe from blowing or working up. Neat, tailor-made, and " ship-shape " should be the lady cyclist's attire ; no feathers, flowers, or loose ribbons; a quiet sailor or boat-shaped hat ; irreproachable shoes and gloves ; an erect pose of the figure ; and a clean and well-cared-for mount. These are the points that make the difference between a " lady cyclist " and a " female on a machine." The mount selected should the very best that the rider can afford, and the advice of a practical cyclist, or, failing that, of a cycling paper, should always bo sought on this subject. The gear of the machinemeaning the diameter of the imaginary high wheel to which the little driver is made equal by means of different sized chain-wheels in the crank-axle and hub—is a most important matter, as a high gear is very hard to drive, and usually tires out the rider in a short time; although in the case of an exceptionally strong cyclist, it permits of great speed. Always ask the gear when buying a machine, and have italtered if it does not suit, is a useful motto. The height of the saddle should be adjusted so that the heel of the foot can rest easily on tho pedal at full stretch, and its distance towards the rear wheel can be regulated at the rider's wishes—from 6 to 14in. back (measuring from centre of saddle to crankaxle) being about the limit either way. On pneumatic tyres corrugated covers should invariably be used.as they stop the dangerous side-slip to which all bicycles are liable in muddy weather.