Judge, 1895-04-27 · page 16 of 16
Judge — April 27, 1895 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a humorous instructional guide for cyclists ("wheelers") attempting to ride bicycles on rural roads—a relatively new recreational activity in the late 19th century. The cartoons satirize the numerous hazards cyclists faced beyond city streets: treacherous terrain, dust clouds, steep hills requiring dismounting, aggressive cattle, unpredictable weather, and the general chaos of poorly maintained country roads. The joke targets both the naive confidence of urban cyclists venturing into unfamiliar rural environments and the actual dangers they encountered. By presenting absurd "advice" (like "have a taste for flying" when striking a rut, or being "a good shot" to pass farms safely), the cartoonist mocks the growing cycling craze while documenting real obstacles—animals, farmers, weather, road conditions—that made country cycling genuinely perilous and comical to contemporary readers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
When you try a coast and strikea * thankee-m a taste for flying. tsa thing of destiny. it very nearly as smooth as the road, IL the weather is dry and the wind should rise, don't forget that our share of dirt Herds of cattle are apt 10 be dangerous! so take to the stone wall; you will find Ie is generally dangerous to pass farmhouses unless you are a good shot and well When you are completely played out you can always Gnd a friendly siga-board prepares that will direct you to the nearest transportation company. COUNTRY ROADS: OR, ADVICE TO THOSE WHO INTEND TO WHEEL IN THE COUNTRY THIS SUMMER. Sackect A Wiheims Litho Co New York