An interesting article published in 1897 in London’s National Review was originally intended to dissuade women from pursuing cycling as it was considered unbecoming for them to do so. Some doctors argued that bicycling was an excessively taxing activity, unsuitable for women, telling that it could induce exhaustion, insomnia, heart palpitations, headaches, and depression.
“The unconscious effort to maintain one’s balance tends to produce a wearied and exhausted Bicycle Face.”
The Utah Randonneur 
