Smile

I was hit by 'Brain Pickings' which publicizes unpublished Authors. I smiled at this.

A List of Don's for Women on Bicycles Circa 1895
"Don’t ask, 'What do you think of my bloomers?'"

We've already seen how the bicycle emancipated women, but it wasn't exactly a smooth ride. The following list of 41 don'ts for female cyclists was published in 1895 in the newspaper New York World by an author of unknown gender. Equal parts amusing and appalling, the list is the best (or worst, depending on you look at it) thing since the Victorian map of woman's heart.



Don’t be a fright.
Don’t faint on the road.
Don’t wear a man’s cap.
Don’t wear tight garters.
Don’t forget your tool bag
Don’t attempt a “century.”
Don’t coast. It is dangerous.
Don’t boast of your long rides.
Don’t criticize people’s “legs.”
Don’t wear loud hued leggings.
Don’t cultivate a “bicycle face.”
Don’t refuse assistance up a hill.
Don’t wear clothes that don’t fit.
Don’t neglect a “light’s out” cry.
Don’t wear jewelry while on a tour.
Don’t race. Leave that to the scorchers.
Don’t wear laced boots. They are tiresome.
Don’t imagine everybody is looking at you.
Don’t go to church in your bicycle costume.
Don’t wear a garden party hat with bloomers.
Don’t contest the right of way with cable cars.
Don’t chew gum. Exercise your jaws in private.
Don’t wear white kid gloves. Silk is the thing.
Don’t ask, “What do you think of my bloomers?”
Don’t use bicycle slang. Leave that to the boys.
Don’t go out after dark without a male escort.
Don’t without a needle, thread and thimble.
Don’t try to have every article of your attire “match.”
Don’t let your golden hair be hanging down your back.
Don’t allow dear little Fido to accompany you
Don’t scratch a match on the seat of your bloomers.
Don’t discuss bloomers with every man you know.
Don’t appear in public until you have learned to ride well.
Don’t overdo things. Let cycling be a recreation, not a labor.
Don’t ignore the laws of the road because you are a woman.
Don’t try to ride in your brother’s clothes “to see how it feels.”
Don’t scream if you meet a cow. If she sees you first, she will run.
Don’t cultivate everything that is up to date because yon ride a wheel.
Don’t emulate your brother’s attitude if he rides parallel with the ground.
Don’t undertake a long ride if you are not confident of performing it easily.
Don’t appear to be up on “records” and “record smashing.” That is sporty.

For more on the history of women and bikes, see the excellent Wheels of Change, among both the best photography books and the best history books of 2011.


An early entry (oooh errr Mrs) I'm not Frankie Howard, so NO!!! I asked Richard - the Cleaner, who I couldn't live without, to just gi my tyres a bit of air. Because I do find it a bit tricky, I'm just not quick enough at shutting the valve, s'times and all the air that I've pumped seeps out!! I am just crap really :) Anyway Saggy A* totally cured! and it just makes sense that I sit higher with newly inflated tyres. I sped down the carriageway this Morning with renewed enthusiasm, and vigour. And it was so easy coming back (Comparatively So)Im still excited about The Torch Business, I'm sending it Recorded Delivery tomorrow, I'm also going to Millhouses Park, to meet Miriam.

Can anyone tell me why 'Artifice' Folding Trice, with 20' wheels is only £1495 isn't that cheap? I've checked, and it seems ok. It also looks like there quite common, so I can afford not to panic buy.