HINTS ON WINTER RIDING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6500, 1 June 1899, Page 3

HINTS ON WINTER RIDING.

.(C_icli.-> g ;, Much has been, and doubtless will be, , written by the cycloscribe in advising the winter rider how best to meet inclemency ' of the weather. The purpose of these lines ' will be directed more to influencing the less energetic to the following up actively of our ' pastime all the year round. Therefore, to * those who have consigned their machines to - storage for what they may term the "off: ■ season, as well as those who may have temporarily laid aside their mounts awaiting . drier roads and more balmy weather, it i may be of interest to lear n. something of r pleasures accruing from what, on occasions is not misnamed "mud-plugging,"' as pursued by the hardened riders to be seen each week-end,' at all seasons and in all weathers. ', And also as to how they are, or should be, clad and equipped. PBECAiffTIONS NECESSARY. Woollen clothing, linings, underwear ; , (particularly the latter, though, . nort ; too much of it), and a suitably fitted machine, are, of course, a necessity. Sweaters! are perhaps more comfortable and a greater safeguard against chills than shirting. For those who would sjjjjjjj^af^aarahces,. 1 , thesgjttejMw-afee-fi^e with neckband to -" Tiake a starched .collar. However, whatever the garb, care should,, of course, be taken not to stand about in the open tyhen over-heated, for even all-wool clotlfing is! not a sufficient guard against chill from sucli in- . discretion. gloves. i A glove which successfully guards ithe hands against cold is now made, ih which u.e fingers come together in one pocket, [the thumb only having a stall to itself. Hand-w-ear of this type may both look and feel a trifle awkward afc first, but there can- be no doubt as to their efficacy of purpose ; in fact, unless conditions are really wintry, this form of glove will be found almost too warm. Not being hampered with buttons or fasteners, however, they can readily; be slipped on or off. - " I The rider in fair health, suitably clad and equipped, may find much pleasure in a short country spin in winter, given cold or clear weather, even when the road surface is not such as to favour light running. 1 I,] AS TO GEAR... j To those -who* present " side slip " as tlie great bugbear of winter riding, it should, iof course, be pointed out that this is largely due to nervousness/ of the rider, imperfect ankle action, or, with some, to the use iof too high a gear. 'Moderation in the latter respect will also be found to be labour saving when the going is heavy. A gear of 57in to 63in, with length of crank proportionate to the reach of the rider, will afford article scope for selection. i REGARDING TYRES. ; Longitudinal corrugations may steady' a tyre somewhat, but they also slow it, andare by many all-round riders considered to offer no advantage as a preventive of sideslip. Needless to say, the tyres should be kept well inflated— indeed, they may _t ridden harder in winter,- when roads aiv soft, than would be. comfortable in dry or frosty weather. A thoroughly vulcanised tyre, such as now supplied in some ofthe best single tube and tubeless makers, will be less pervious to wet than certain of the double-tube type. The fabric of the latter has been inclined to rot, when, cut in wear upon the tread. ; AS TO CYCLE PROTECTION. ! Another alleged objection to ,off season riding is damage to the machine from rust, etc. With regard to this, it may be said that bright parts treated with a good trass parent enamel (readily removable witl; methylated spirit) or a Iberal coating h vaseline (to be renewed from time to tima) will effectually waterproof them, while the enamel on a high grade cycle will come tc no harm from mud or- any inclemency ol tho weather. The better class of bearing?-, are to-day practically dirt and waterproof, i .GEAR CASE ANU irDDGUAnnS. . ; A gobd gearcase, .preferably of the fixed Carter, .oil-retaining pattern, is, of course, a sine qua non, as also a pair of efficient mudguards. These are now made of extra width .■ for winter use; anu should have a leather mudflap to the front guard, to protect tlie feet from mud thrown up by tht ' steering wheel from the point where it meets the ground. j . I'EDALS AND BRAKES. Rat-trap pedals, while not so comfortably to the feet as those of rubber, will afford a more secure grip in muddy going-, especially if suitable blocks be fitted to th soles of the shoes. An efficient brake is also desirable, even where dipensed with at other seasons, as powerful back-pedal-ling, especially at the side of a sloping greasy road, where the hurried pull up has often to be made, is most conducive to side slip. Several good rim brakes are now upon the market, and are to be preferred to a brake acting on the tyre. j Not the least pka?ant side of winter .riding is its invigorating effect on the system generally, and the light after-feeling when returned from a sharp spin with v _.fe thermometer low. Having taken a tepiil sponge bath or smart rub down, you ar|e again at your fireside, in the common garb, greatly refreshed in. mind and limb, thje more ready for a meal to be put before you.