THE EARLY STRUGGLES OF A LADY CYCLIST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2168, 12 September 1895, Page 35

THE EARLY STRUGGLES OF A LADY CYCLIST.

Prom my girlhood I had a fancy to become a cyclist. I used to read a good deal, and if I came across a story with anything about a tricycle, for bicyles (as least for ladies) were unknown at that time, I would devour it with avidity aud wonder if it would ever be my lot to become the happy possessor of a cycle. When I grew older I became engaged in an arduous occupation that for a time made me quite oblivions of anything else, but ultimately my health begau to fail, and reading something in a paper concerning cycling for ladies revived the old feeling, and one day I sallied forth, determined to do or die, and interviewed our then only cycle proprietor as to the merits and demerits of tho pastime for ladies. With what feelings of misgiving I entered the shop— almost afraid to ask for what I wanted for fear of being laughed at ; for ridioule, be it known to my reader?, if a most powerful w< apou in the hands of my enemies, and baa often resulted in total rout of my forces on the field of bsttle. But I had screwed my courage to the Hlicking point, and, advancing to tho gentleman in charge, I inquired as if I had been used to cycling all my life if ho had any tricyclos in stook. He had one, and a good one tco, but the price ratLer frightened me. However, I was not to be daunted, and a»kod next whether I could take it and start on a trip to Invercargill or Christchurch, and learn to ride it on the way. He smothered a laugh very politely, but said mildly that "he thought I had better learn to ride it first." This was not very satisfactory, so I left the shop, and resuming my daily work, it slipped out of my mind for awhile. But the fire was not dead — only covered up with ashes, and when, after a few years of hard work, my health gave way completely, I retired gracefully but grumblingly from the field, aud rested on my laurels and a colonial sofa for nearly 12 months, when fortune placed in my way another article oa cycling, which fanned the smouldering embers onca more into a blaze, and as soon as I could I took train for town (1 had been ordered to the country by my medical man) and interviewed another cycle man who had by this time settled in town. He was a warm-hearted Irishman, and, like the- rest of his countrymen, always ready to assist a lady in distress. "The beat thing in the woildfor ladies," was his answer to my inquiry ; " bub I should advise a bicycle." " Oh, no, I conld not think of such a thing, was my reply. " I should have to wear different clothes, and— and "— — " Not at all ; they are not like the men's bicycles," said my friend th« cyclist. But I was not to be pumwded, so then he encouraged me in every way, lent me his Bister's tricycle, which happened to bo in the shop, and said if I found I did not like it I could give it up in a 1 week or two and. the)ie. would be an end of the

matter. Ah ! well my genial friend knew what he was doing, for never did I meet a lady yet who adopted cycling who gave up unless absolutely compelled to do so. Next thing I culled on my medical adviser, and with much misgivings asked his opinion. " Certainly," he said ; " the very best thing for yon, bub you must not stoop over it or overdo it, or I shall have the machine taken from you." (I am still very careful to sit up very straight when I meet him, although there is no danger of his threat being carried out now). Well, an appointment with my friend the oyelist was made for the very next evening, and, in company wtlh another lady who b»d caught the cycle ftver from mo, I hurried off to keep it — after dark, you may be sure, for we had an idea that our first efforts had better be uoxeen, if possible. After a little instruction we mounted our iron •teeds with come fear, and visions of what they would say at home if we were carried there on a shutter crossed the minds of in both ; but we were fairly in for it now, and it wjuld never do to show fear before a man. In a short ti-na we got bolder, and began to enjoy ourselves ; but it was most astonishing the tondnef s we evinced for gutters and lampposts. Fortunately it was a flno night and no mud about, and by-aud-bye we commenoed to feol — Stiffnes r'Oh, dear, no ! not for a moment, but pity for our instructor, who hud ruu behind us for a mile or two ; aud I have no doubt he found it the bardeit work he had done that day, for in cj cling, as in other things, it is a very difficult matter to keep any* one straight when they will pull the wrong handle bar; so we gave up and went home, feeling that there was something left to. live for after all. Our feelings underwent a change be* fore next morning, but of course we did not mention tbis trifling matter to any of our friends, and after all we had felt quite as tt ff before after a long walk or other unusual exerciie. When the fatigue had worn oft", we were quite ready for another attempt, and in a few days I thought I know all about it ; but not wishing to appear in public just yet, I took train for a quiet little country place I favoured, and sought to perfect myself in the art there. On alighting at tho fetation, the natives were filled with wonder and curiosity at the machine, and I of course wished to astonish them with my performance ; so pushing it through the railway gates with an air of coolness and composure that I hoped would deceive them into thinking me an accomplished rider, I essayed to mount and ride oft ia state. Alas I pride had — not a fall ; I could not start enough for that — the precious Ihiug would not budge an inch ; 'so I dismounted, and examined the thiug all over, after the manner of beginuere, who always try to make the onlookers understand that tho fault is in the machine when anything 1 goes wrong. However, it was all of no u* e, and I had to the distance to my friend the farmer's, pushing the tricycle in front of me, and followed by the crowd, who offered all Horts of advico, which I was only sotry not to be able to take. i Oh, that tricycle I Shall I ever forget my struggles with the thing ? It was a patent collapsible machine supposed to contract to enable it to be taken through an ordinary doorway. I could never make it work, and when I returned to town (I lived right in the main street) it had to be taken up a very narrow passage to get it iuto the yard. When I got it out into the street I pulled and pushed, and lost my temper and spoilt my personal appearance just as I wanted to seem calm and collected. A crowd would gather, and as lam of a modest and retiring disposition (for a modern i woman), it was very trying to find myself the centre of attraction, and I was ultimately compelled to seek the aid of nay next-door neighbour, akindlygrccer,whowould pull the wheels out to their allotted span and start mo on my journey rejoicing. But then I knew the horrid thing would play me the same trick when I returned, and so it always happened, and I would vanish 1 into the house and disclaim all relationship with the thing until it allowed itself to be squeezed together enough to allow of its boiog brought into tho yord. On my arrival at the farmer's I could not get it near to the house, and it hid to remain inside the front gate covered with sacks, and c&used me a s!eepleis night for fear it should be hurt by the rain, which commenced to fall toon after my arrival. The next day was fine and [ warm, and I hauled my new friend down the hill and mounted, feeling that the game was scarcely worth the candle ; but as I found I oould manage to get along I began to enjoy it thoroughly. Coming to a hill, I remembered that my instructor had said it was quite possible to ride np hills after a little practice, so I pushed it nbout half way up, and then thought I would get on and ride the other half. Easier said than done. I was no scouer in the saddle than the tricycle bfgau a retrograde movement.; it wai impossible to stop it, and equally impossible for me to dismeuut, and at last one wheel sauk in some mud, which resulted in a general collapse of both horse and rider. I extricated rnystlf as speedily as possible from the wheel*, and of course looked all round to see if there were any spectators of this unrehearsed performance ; bub nothing was to be seen in the shape of man, woman, or child, for which I was truly thankful. Then I proceeded to examine the machine, and to my horror discovered that one wheel was bent out of shape, and the whole thing looked to me in a deplorable state of collapaenees. I had landed on my shoulder, and found a metal road was not by any means the softest thing in the world to fall on, but with bravery worthy of a better cause I restrained a groan, and remembering that I had teen a blacksmith's shop a little further on I pushed the (as I then thought) white elephant on till I reached it. The obliging blacksmith shook his head when I asked if he could mend it, and eaid "he waa not used to such small wheels a» them. It' it was a cart now, or a wheelbarrow, he might have done something" but as it was not anything so common, he advised me to send it back to town. " But," eaid I, •' how am I to get it to tho station ; it is three mileß away at least, and far too warm to walk, and I do not think it will be safe to ride it, do you ? " devoutly hoping he would say no, for I was completely scared of the thing by this time. " Oh, I think yon can manage to get to the ttation on it. Get on and let's gee." Her* was a dilemma ; several men had by this 1 time gathered round, and wero looking at tho > atrange object and its unfortunate rider with much Interest. It would never do to show the white feather before thtm, so I plucked, up

courage and monnted into the saddle— -rery gingerly, you may be sure. However, by dint of wobbling and walking up and down all the hille, I at last reached the station, and sent ifc oft' with a telegram to " please mond and rofeuru at once," which was acted on so promptly tb>b it was returned in a waolo condition the very next day. In a few days' all iriy troubles as * trioyclist vere over — I bad gained tho viotory and mastered my iron steed, and I need nob describe the pleasures of cyclfog-to those of my readers who are the nappy posje3sor3 of oyoleo — it has been, I think,, iubontestibly proved to bo one of the most health-giyiog, enjoyable recreations for either rn&n or women, always provided that it is done in .moderation, and with due regard to fcho advice of a medioftl adviser. - ■ Let my lady friends bear in mind that tbe great danger is to overdo it, more particularly when learning. It is a most fascinating pastime, and the pleasure of a ride in the froah country air, when worried and bothered with the cares of businrs? or family troubles, will do much to lessen our doctors' bills. Of my troubles when learning to ride a bioyclc I may tell some other day. lam only sorry I did not take the advico of my good friend the oyclist, and have one at first. It is in every way the bevt for ladiet. The fact oE understanding a tricycle did not assist me in tho least in learning to acquire the art oE bicycling — in fact it was more a hindranoo than a help. To these who are thinking of joining tho ranks of the cyclists I wonld aiy, Do not go too far at first, and remember that the more you ride the e&ttier it will becomo. You will git very tired, and feel ai I did — that the game is nob worth the o»ndle ; but, as I said before, I never meb a lady yet who took up cyoling bat says " che would not give it up foe anythiug ?U& in the world." In conclusion, I would also add that, for those who (aka it up for health's 9 the, it is besu to atk Iho advico of a mt-dioal man bsford learning, as in some casea it it) not at all goo& exorcise for invalids.