Cycling Etiquette, circa 1901
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CHAPTER XXVI. CYCLING, GOLF, DANCING AND GAMES
"If those who are the enemies of innocent amusements had the direction of
the world, they would take away the spring and youth - the former from the
year, and the latter from the human life."
Etiquette for lovers of sport is as essential for guidance as it is
for the young debutante in society. Among the sports so general,
and so faithfully followed, we must first class cycling, for it has
taken such a firm hold upon all classes and all ages as to demand
recognition. To the hundreds of men and women the wheel is the greatest
benefaction of the time, not only affording rapid transit to and from
places of business, but is also a delightful and healthful recreation.
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. 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
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.
A lady can be as reserved upon a wheel as in her parlor. No lady
will permit a stranger to accost her, even if she is riding alone,
unless an accident or mishap to herself or wheel occurs, and then a
true gentleman may offer his assistance, which may be accepted or
not, without misconstruction or familiarity.
The etiquette to be observed in cycling is to be civil to all; assist
the timid, and do not mock or laugh at awkwardness. If you have an
appointment to ride with a lady, be punctual, and accomodate your
pace to hers. A good rule to be observed in this respect is to never
go faster than you find it possible, and breathe through the nostrils.
The moment you are inclined to open your mouth you may know that you
are over-exerting yourself. Of course this advice would fall numb on
the ears of a "scorcher."
Bloomers have been proven so inartistic, so ugly and so "loud" that
few ladies can be induced to wear them. The most quiet costume,
consisting of a skirt, two-thirds from the knee to the sole of the
foot, a jacket, either tight-fitting or blouse, makes a modest outfit.
The boots should be high, or leather leggins should be adopted. Never
wear low shoes on the wheel. An outing hat of rough straw, the Tam
O'Shanter, or a felt walking hat, are all pretty and tasteful. Some
like sailor hats. The colors for the suit should be gray, brown, dark
blue, or black, although the latter shows dust and mud sooner. An
invitation to a ride on the wheel needs no formality, and may always
be verbal. Have an ammonia gun with you, for the benefit of barking
dogs who are bent on running in front of you, and giving you a
"header." Always carry an extra wrap or a loose jacket to guard
against those obstinate inflictions termed summer colds. Don't wear
a yachting cap, chew gum, or bend your back over the handle bars.
Either of these things is far from ladylike.
The gentleman who accompanies ladies must be ever watchful to assist
his companions in every way. He should be capable of repairing any
trifling injury to their machines which may occur on the route, and
be at all times provided with the proper tools for so doing. 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.
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, but if she be a true
American woman she will help herself as mush 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 acquantances 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 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. The heart forcing the
blood into the arteries more rapidly than the veins can return it, and
incipient paralysis or apoplexy may result.
are very popular, for they give a sense of nearness and protection. Still,
the genious who invents a double wheel providing for sitting side by side
will have the blessings of many who like to see the face of their fair
companion. Properly used, the bicycle is considered 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.
Don't try to raise your hat to a lady passing you until you are an expert
on your wheel.
Don't wear a red or gay-colored cap, under the impression that it is
stylish.
Don't laugh at the figure other riders present, for it is not given us to
"Sae oorsel's as ithers sae us."
Don't neglect to turn to the right in passing another wheel or a vehicle.
Don't ride fast down a steep hill with a curve at its foot.
Don't ride fifteen miles at a scorching pace, and then drink copiously of
water and lie down in the grass.
Don't carry your bicycle down stairs under your arm. Your shoulder is
better adapted to it.
Don't leave your wheel in a dark hall for other people to fall over.
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