HOW TO GET STRONG
does not compare with wrestling in this field. And the majority of cyclers sit in such a way as to cramp their vital organs, and so to impede their work. That there is no need of this is shown by a small minority, who sit superbly, with the head always exactly on top of the spine—not poked one, two, or more inches forward,—with the neck, in short, always pressed firmly against the back of the collar.
Of two youths or men exactly alike at the start; if one rides a wheel an hour a day; and the other runs daily half an hour at a fair pace, the runner will not develop the fronts of his thighs as much as the cyclist does his. But the runner will develop the whole of each leg and hip more than the wheelman does; and far more symmetrically. For the cycler moves his foot through only a small circle,—never over sixteen inches in diameter. But the runner at every step strides—not sixteen inches—but about seven feet! And the runners body has the better of it also. For as just seen, while most cyclists are poke-necked, and so cramp their vital organs—notably their stomach and lungs—the runner's head is on top of his spine; and so his lungs, and all his vital organs have the best opportunity for full, untrammelled work. Moreover the legs have twice as much to do in running. For, on a wheel, you ride, and you ride sitting down; and so the seat, not your legs, carries most of the weight of your body, neck, and head. But in running, your legs carry your entire weight. Or rather one leg carries it all; and then the other. So each leg gets a far heavier load than it does on a wheel.
Every cycler should have his or her heart and lungs first examined, by a physician, to see if there is anything wrong or any danger there. But if found to be all right; then let them ride about all they will. Not yet in the
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