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.
If you finish your first trial covered with dust and perspiration, with a bumped head, jammed feet, tired arms, and sore muscles, let your faith remain triumphant, and your determination and expectation to master the vehicle increased.
But with proper caution there is no danger either of falls or hurt in using the velocipede in the way we have advised. The pedal is constructed so that the foot of the rider can at once leave it; and should the machine incline to one side, it is only necessary to remove the foot from the same side, and place it on the ground. One must not let the handles go; they seem to restore and maintain the balance of the machine after the rider is off it. In alighting, both feet should be raised from the pedal at the same instant, which slackens the speed of the machine, and placed upon the ground simultaneously.
If you learn in a school or rink, you will find a rough pine floor much the best for practice. Floors that are sprinkled with sawdust, or sanded, are apt to cause the machine to slip in turning.
In your first practice, avoid trying experiments, or doing too much; but watch your position in the saddle, and perfect yourself in the balance movement. After that is perfectly learned, try to ride slowly, and practice with your feet upon the rest in front. It will of course require much experience before you are able to dash along the paved streets or country roads, or to try the tricks and fancy movements of an expert. Perseverance, however, makes perfect; and if you persist, you will be able, in due time, to ride side-saddle fashion, to pick up your hat from the floor, to take off your coat while going at full speed, and even to stand upon the saddle.
Some learn to ride in three hours, some in three days, and occasionally we hear of a timid and stupid scholar, for whom three months will scarcely suffice. It depends upon the machine, the method of going to work, and the quickness and adaptability of the rider. The knowledge often comes suddenly. 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. A few hours’ practice usually makes a student quite the master of ceremonies.
As soon as you have acquired the knowledge, you will wonder how amateurs can be so awkward, and be surprised that you found it so difficult.
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.