Cycling Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 29, 21 October 1893, Page 7

Cycling Notes.

(By Safety)

A few hints to riders in general will not .be out of plaee at this early part of the season. For ordinary riding, sit well over the work and adjust your saddle pins and handle bars, so that when mounted you appear as if standing on the machine. If racing, place the saddle well back, and the handle bars about two inches above’the level of the saddle. By fitting the machine like this, it is really essential to have two pieces of leather naili d ujmn the soles of your shoes to get the grip of the pedal, on the drawback in “ ankle pedalling.” A good way to mount a Safety is to get on the saddle with the left foot touching the ground and the right on the pedal, which should be up ready for the thrust, then a slight push of the left foot and you are off. Now for the fair sex. This is the way the ladies mount in Christchurch. They hold both handles, then step across the frame, having the right treadle up. They then place their right foot upon the treadle, immediately, rising to the saddle and are off. This is far easier than starting with the left foot and passing the right leg across the frame and mounting at the same time. I think if the lady riders were to try the above, they -would master the mounting very quickly. Although “ gear cases ” make a machine look heavy, I firmly believe with the slight extra w r eight they are a benefit to both the rider and machine. The way they are made, enables a reservoir of oil to be kept at the bottom, to allow the chain to constantly run through it. This saves the friction, and makes the machine run much lighter. The case being almost dust-proof, keepsjthe chain clean with not half the wear and trouble where one’s chain is always exposed to the elements. They can, lam informed, be fitted to any machine, and at a small cost, considering what 5 they save. Cyclists who have pneumatic tyres should be careful' not to let any oil run on them, as they do not appreciate it.