There are several points which, if borne in mind, will considerably help the beginner in first attempts, namely--
1. To select a road inclining slightly down-hill.
2. Stand on rather higher ground than the bicycle.
3. Incline the front wheel slightly to the right.
4. Be careful not to check the motion of the machine by too much pressure on the pedal after it passes its lowest point.
5. Do not catch the left pedal too quickly, or apply pressure before it passes the top centre.
There are five distinct methods of mounting for skirted riders, two of which are suitable for beginners only, the other three for more advanced riders.
Imagine an individual who has some knowledge of riding, but who is unable to mount alone; refusing all offers of assistance she determines to assert her independence.
Standing on the left side of the machine with the right pedal just past its highest point, she steps across the frame, and places her right foot securely on the pedal, the saddle being so low that she is able to take her seat easily, the left foot being still on the ground. Then putting as much pressure as possible on the right pedal and pushing off with the left foot, she starts the machine--not perhaps without a few failures first, but _nil desperandum_. Independence must cost something, and if she will consider, I have no doubt her failure can be traced to one or the other of the above mentioned causes. But how tiring the ride will be, and how awkward the whole position, the knees moving most ungracefully high with each revolution of the pedal--all defects caused by the saddle being adjusted much too low.
Now if she would only listen, I should advise her to raise her saddle inches higher until it is nearly on a level with the turn of the hip, and, if still determined to learn alone, wheel the machine to the kerbstone or other eminence, to enable her to seat herself in the saddle, and then push off as before. Her appearance once mounted is now greatly improved, and when I tell her so, after enjoying a nice little run with none of the previous feeling of tiredness, she is quite ready to listen to what further I have to say on the subject. Seeing that it is quite impracticable to always depend on the help of the friendly kerbstone, we will try and master mount