How to Dismount a Bike by H.G. Wells

In an 1895 letter to a friend, when the safety bike was in fashion, H.G. Wells demonstrated how to dismount a bicycle with instructions and an illustration.

Observe when your left foot is descending & about 30° from the nadir. Stand on left pedal throwing up right leg. Bring this in a graceful curve over the hind mud guard & leap lightly to the ground. The treadle moves against your weight & assists the leap. Then smile. Thus.

 What a wonderful description of the most mundane action that we do every day….