The deepest and most profound explanation of all side-slip was recently proposed to the writer by a mathematician of great ability; but it is so complex that he has not worked it out himself yet, though expecting daily to hand in the solution. He says it is all from the relation of the points, first, of the centre of gravity, second, of the centre of oscillation, and third, of the transmission of power, to each other. Just where and how they ought to be is, as yet, not fully determined.
To remedy the evil of the side-slip in the most obvious ways would be to make the rear-driving Safety no longer the same machine; it would ruin, to a great extent, the very qualities for which it is prized, and therefore, if any such theories as before enumerated should prove tenable, the only clear way out of the difficulty would be in the use of non-slipping tires, if such can be produced.
In regard to the angle at which any machine will slip in rounding a corner, some, who have advanced the idea that the Safety slipped because it had to lean more, do not appear to be aware of, or take into account, the fact that the angle at which the cycle, or any other machine, must lean under such circumstances is entirely independent of the height of the centre of gravity. The angle is a function of the speed and radius of curvature only.
[7] Mr. Sturmey should have broached this subject in its relation to castering.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE LADIES’ BICYCLE.
Probably the most daring innovation the ladies have made in the domain of sports and pastime within the past decade consists in their riding the bicycle. There is no earthly reason why they should not ride a bicycle if they wish to; that is to say, those bicycles of the modern type especially made for them. At least no objection can be urged that would not equally apply to tandem and single tricycles.
Notwithstanding the above fact, there is and has been a reluctance on the part of the ladies to take up the two-wheeler, and probably a greater reluctance on the part of the community at large to countenance the step. It is needless to discuss the propriety of ladies riding tricycles; the question has been settled by themselves by simply riding; and there is the end of it,—they came, saw, rode, and conquered.
Granted that a woman may ride a tricycle with propriety, it would seem a shame to deny her the right to the less cumbersome and much neater mount. The ladies’ bicycle certainly is the more modest appearing, if we were used to both, and it takes much less work to run it; if it does not thrive, it will mean simply that the entire system of ladies’ cycle riding must go. Common prejudice cannot long sustain such a senseless discrimination as to keep her on the “trike.” Tandems, of course, have an advantage in that the spectators can imagine that the man is doing all the work, which is generally about as true as that he does all the work when the family cook-stove is to be moved. No better illustration of the change of public opinion in the matter of ladies’ cycle riding can be had, than in the little story told of Mr. James K. Starley, relating an event which is said to have occurred some years back on the streets of Coventry.
This indefatigable genius of modern cycle art was pumping one of his early tricycles about the nooks and corners of Smithford, Hereford, Jordan Well, Little and Much Park, in the ancient city, amid the jeers and contemptuous sneers of the lusty silk weavers and cynical watchmakers; whereupon, being goaded to desperation by their taunts, he rose and exclaimed, “Why, the time will come when ladies will ride these things through your streets.” And ladies have long since ridden them through the streets of Coventry, as well as through the streets of many other towns, without compromising themselves or exciting undue comment, while the noble city of its birth has become the centre of modern cycledom.