J. T. Goddard

“ At first sight one supposes it to be a formidable undertaking to mount and steer the bicycle. To learn to manage it, however, requires no more skill, courage, or patience, than to learn the art of skating; and when the art is once acquired, it provides a means of locomotion and a source of enjoyment as much more available than skating, as the number of days in the year is greater than the few bright mornings when one can find a smooth, glassy, and well-frozen skating ground. ”

“ We have found twelve miles on a country road no more fatiguing than a brisk walk of two. We believe a man may ride and drive one at the rate of ten miles an hour, with less fatigue than he could walk one quarter of that distance. Some people ride easier than others, as some skate easier. Some people make hard work of anything. Lazy [Pg 20] people will never fall in love with the bicycle, because to ride one requires all the faculties to be alive and in action. To keep one’s balance, however, does not require that constant labor and exertion which novices suppose. ”

“ Familiarity with the bicycle becomes a sort of second nature, and a velocipedean, after a fair amount of experience, finds himself almost as perfectly at home astride his two-wheeler, as he does on his feet.
When John Brent rode his horse across the plains in search of adventure, the era of the two-wheeled velocipede had not come upon us. We think the bicycle an animal, which will, in a great measure, supersede the horse. It does not cost as much; it will not eat, kick, bite, get sick, or die. ”

“ Let any one place, side by side, the closely confined student or clerk, and the man who has paid special attention to his physical culture. Compare the pale or sallow face, the flat chest, the narrow, stooping shoulders of the former, with the development of the latter, whose vigorous frame defies disease, whose strength gives a consciousness of power that makes him fearless of danger, and who can exult in that greatest earthly possession, exuberant health. ”

“ Should the velocipede upon which you learn be too high to practice in the way we have indicated, you should have some one hold the machine for the first trial, the hands upon the back extremity of the bar upon which you sit, so as to in no way impede the action of the fore wheel.
To those who wish to learn, we would especially suggest the spring, fall, and winter months. It is too warm to learn in summer, that being the season to reap the reward of early exertion. Velocipede riding is the easiest thing imaginable when one knows how to ride properly. ”

“ The velocipede is one of the finest inventions of the nineteenth century. It is a physiologically constructed machine; is an invaluable means of promoting [Pg 106] health, and bids fair to emancipate our youth from the common muscular lethargy and debility.
Velocipeding is superior to skating, horseback riding, base-ball, and rowing. While skating is good for the legs, horseback riding for the chest, base-ball and rowing for the legs and arms, the benefit derived from exercise on the velocipede is not local. It gives a natural exercise and general development to every muscle of the body. ”

“ The arms are the first to feel the effect of the exercise, for the pressure of the feet upon the stirrups must be met by a corresponding pressure of the hands on the tiller, necessary to prevent the front wheel from turning. This pressure of the tiller against the hands puts the rider in an upright position, with elbows well back and hands well extended, straightens the stooping shoulders, facilitates respiration, expands the lungs, and develops the chest. No position can be maintained upon the velocipede, inconsistent with ease and elegance of motion, or incompatible with the laws of health. ”

“ At first start, run beside the iron horse, leading it by the hand, so as to familiarize yourself with its movements, and to master well in your mind the idea of the fore wheel, upon which all depends. This will be an affair of but a few moments only. You will very readily perceive that it will be impossible to balance upon the machine, while it is standing still. You will also see that, without practice, it will be an impossibility to mount the iron horse, and balance yourself upon the seat, while it is in motion. ”

“ The tricycle is easier to guide, and safer to ride than the two-wheeled machine; there is however more friction, and its speed is much less rapid. It has, thus far, been found impossible to construct a three-wheeler with the pedal method of propulsion, that could compete with the bicycle in speed or pleasure of driving. Large wheels are necessary for speed. If a guiding wheel be applied to a tricycle of this kind large enough to run rapidly on the road, and to counterbalance the size of the other wheels, it would be unsteady of motion ”

“ We believe in the utility, convenience, and economy of the innovation, as well as in its capacity for affording amusement, and developing strength and skill; and believe as now improved, it is destined to mark an era in the history of vehicles. It has passed the period of being a mere toy, and although as the novelty wears away, there may be less enthusiasm, it will continue to be used, and in an increasing degree, for street locomotion. ”

“ One of the best physicians in our [Pg 107] country, who makes diseases of the lungs a specialty, rides the bicycle two hours a day, and prescribes it for his patients. He considers it a great preventive of that scourge of our climate, consumption; and a grand aid to the development and improvement of the human body. Many busy men of the profession in New York, Boston, and other large cities, either have their own machines, or ride daily in the schools and rinks. They regard this preparation of Iron (the velocipede) , as better than any in their Materia Medica. ”

“ The idea has been conceived from seeing experts ride side-saddle fashion, and drive the machine with one foot, that ladies might begin by learning the art in that way. This would be well nigh impossible, though it is easy enough after one is proficient. But with a proper teacher of their own sex, and with [Pg 88] suitable dresses for preliminary practice, ladies can soon obtain such a command over the vehicle, that they can ride side-saddle wise with perfect ease.
A lady must begin with great moderation, and train her muscles to the work of propulsion, or they will cry out vehemently at first. ”

“ We have seen those who have tried to learn for days without success, suddenly mount their veloces and start around a hall, astonished at the ease with which they maintained their balance, and looking as pleased as if they had accomplished the object of their existence. ”

“ With those who live in the cities and require a daily exercise, exhilarating, pleasant, healthful, and free from expense; with those who reside in the country and have long [Pg 19] distances to traverse daily in reaching the scene of their labors, or with those who have leisure and wealth at their command, but love such exercises as afford an opportunity for the display of grace, agility, and skill, the velocipede has already become as great a favorite in this country as it is in France and England. ”

“ In impelling a velocipede, the limbs are not constantly in motion; for on level ground, when the impetus is at the average rate, or when the machine is descending an incline, the feet may be removed from the pedals, and the legs be placed on the bar, fixed in front of the machine for that purpose. A slight impulsion to the vehicle from time to time suffices to keep up the speed. When a rider encounters a formidable hill, he can dismount and lead his bicycle by the hand. ”

“ It is uncomfortable for the rider to go over roughnesses without springs, and a well-built machine is required to stand the jar of uneven roads.
It is no better policy to purchase a cheap velocipede, than a cheap ready-made shoe or other article of clothing.
It is a prevalent but erroneous idea, that the larger the bicycle, the greater the beauty and the greater the speed. A machine with a front wheel of a diameter of forty inches, is the largest that can possibly be rendered practicable. Thirty-eight inches is much better ”

“ It never needs a halter or a harness. It is light, and little, and leans lovingly against you for support. Its gait is uniform and easy, beautiful and exhilarating to see, and simple to analyze. It glides along with smooth grace, as though it were alive. ”

“ A manufacturer requires draughtsmen to design his improvements, pattern-makers to prepare models for the foundry, blacksmiths to do the forging, wheelwrights for the [Pg 36] wheels, machinists to turn and fit the work, foundry-men to cast the pedals and braces, bolt-makers to make the rivets and bolts, saddlers to prepare the seats, and painters and varnishers to finish the machine for the wareroom. The wear and tear in the ordinary use of the velocipede is so great as to require the very best of material in its construction. There is no other kind of vehicle which receives such severe usage. ”

“ The Dexter bicycle only differs from other two-wheeled machines in one respect. This, however, is quite important. By a simple and effective device, [Pg 62] it admits of an instantaneous connection and disconnection of the crank with the axle of the driving wheel, keeping the treadles stationary or in motion, at the will of the rider, while the wheel continues to revolve. Ordinarily, in obtaining a high rate of speed on a velocipede, the rapidity of the revolution of the crank becomes too great to be followed by the movement of the feet, except at the expenditure of too much exertion. ”

“ We present an engraving of an English one-wheeled velocipede. The feet are placed on short stilts, connected with the cranks, one on either side of the rim, while the rider sits upon a steel spring saddle over the whole wheel. The inventor modestly limits the diameter of the wheel to twelve feet, and the number of revolutions to fifty per minute. Twenty-five miles per hour is the speed expected to be reached. The riders of this machine, without the [Pg 81] ability to overcome the laws of gravity, would be very likely to get broken bones and noses. ”

“ They seem to think it a frivolous invention only calculated to serve purposes of amusement, and soon to be superseded by some other ephemeral claimant for popularity. Most of these have based their opinions upon the disuse into which rude machines have fallen in former times. But the difference in the construction of the modern velocipede from the primitive one has entirely changed the character of the vehicle. It is no longer a draft vehicle, but a locomotive, and as much superior to the original bar on wheels, as the improved steam locomotive is to the old time stage-coach. ”

“ They use all the force they can, in pressing upon the pedals, and clasp the handle in front, as if hanging on for dear life. Do not strain the muscles of the arms. There is no necessity for it, or for any violent muscular effort. A good rider can obtain the greatest speed upon the road with half the exertion used by the novice in learning the first movements.
If the day after your first attempt you feel a little lame and sore, remember that it is nothing more than you would feel after riding horseback for the first time, or after taking gentle but unaccustomed exercise in a gymnasium. ”

“ Though there is no doubt that they can be manufactured at prices much below those at which the best machines are now held, and still yield a handsome profit, a reduction in price will not be probable so long as the demand so far exceeds the supply. And now that it is found that the machine is patented, we will not have the so much wished for cheap velocipede, which would assuredly have followed the competition that had commenced, before it was known that one man only held the exclusive right to their manufacture. ”

“ The speed attained by the swifter kind of velocipede on the roads, averages from twelve to thirteen miles an hour. On a smooth, level floor, such a speed can be maintained with but little effort on almost any machine. It is safe to say that a good velocipede rider can travel a hundred miles as quickly as an ordinary horse with an ordinary load. Of course, the more a person rides, the easier it becomes, and the less the fatigue. ”

“ A hill, to be insurmountable, has to be, however, of more than average steepness. Though Massachusetts is proverbially hilly, there is no ascent between Boston and Worcester, a distance of thirty miles, that cannot be ridden over with the bicycle. [Pg 23] The best speed thus far attained on the road is a mile in a few seconds over three minutes. A gentleman in New Jersey, a few weeks since, travelled fifty miles in four hours and a half. A gentleman residing in 22d Street, New York, goes down town to his business on his velocipede in twelve minutes. ”

“ The hind wheel turns on the axle bar, preventing the friction [Pg 56] upon the bearing, as in other machines in which the axle turns with the wheel. The neck of the machine is wrought in one piece, and the head of the swivel in the neck is of wrought iron, square in shape. The fork of the steering bar is of wrought iron also, instead of the cast brass usually used. This makes a delicate part of the machine very durable, for it is a rule in mechanics that one metal will act upon itself with less friction than upon another kind of metal. The best workmen are employed and the best material used. ”

“ It is perhaps not generally known to what an extent the bicycle mania prevails, and how rapidly the idea has germinated, budded, and bloomed, not only throughout our own country, but in various parts of the world. ”

“ The generic tricycle, or three-wheeled velocipede, as used abroad, is not likely to meet with general favor in this country.
In its steering arrangements and mode of propulsion, its construction is similar to that of the bicycle. The rear wheels are large and light; the fore wheel is smaller, and serves to guide the machine, being acted upon by means of the steering bar or handle, which causes it to bend in the direction indicated by the rider. ”

“ It is an inducement to young men who work in close apartments to spend more time in the open air, and furnishes them a means of healthful, invigorating, and, at the same time, pleasant exercise, such as nothing else can possibly afford.
Serious accidents on the velocipede are almost unheard of, and the predictions that these machines would prove dangerous have not been verified. It will fall down, but the rider need not fall with it [Pg 22] unless he chooses. It is no more dangerous than a horse and carriage, under any circumstances, and not nearly so much so, with ordinary caution. ”

“ Nothing should be cast about the metal works of a velocipede except the brasses.
A bad machine carefully kept, may, perhaps, last longer than a good machine very badly managed. It should be the ambition of a good rider, however, to have a good machine, kept in good order. There is danger to the velocipedist in pushing ahead with speed, when the slightest collision, or the giving way of some minute portion of the machine, may smash the whole affair. ”

“ Let the muscles of our young men and delicate young ladies remain idle; they degenerate and atrophy.
“Everything that prolongs human life, ameliorates human suffering, elevates and develops the human frame, is an element of progress; an element that all true men admire and cherish.” ”

“ The iron arms, between which the front wheel is held, are inclined back at an angle of forty-five degrees from the perpendicular, which inclination brings the seat in such a relative position to the fore wheel, that a man of medium height can, with his feet, reach the treadles of one of these velocipedes, the front wheel of which is forty-five inches in diameter, with as much ease as he can those of the ordinary velocipede, the fore wheel of which is of a diameter seven or eight inches smaller. ”

“ Of the various kinds of velocipedes, four, three, two, and one wheeled, the bicycle seems to be considered the most artistic, is altogether the most in favor, and steadily maintains its ground against all rivals. Whether it will be the model velocipede of the future remains to be seen. The various experiments now being tried will, no doubt, eventually result in a nearly perfect machine, but it will require [Pg 18] a season’s experience fully to develop the ingenuity of our American artisans. ”