This is a shameless attempt to save the the most advanced civilization in
history from imminent self destruction by eliminating carbon emission,
dependence on foreign sources of fuel,obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
Cycling accomplishes all those things at once and helps us develop a better
understanding of ourselves, each other and our relationship to the cosmos.

Oh, horse puckey!
I like to ride bikes, have been doing it all my life.
The rest of that crap is just a fringe benefit,
and the blogosphere gives me a chance to share my interior
monologue with virtual rather than imaginary friends.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

It's finally beautiful!

    Spring has taken it's dear sweet time coming around,

 the rain and cold temps have even held off the foliage this year.  But the trees are starting to bud and soon we will have leaves on the bushes and trees to help divert the wind for us.

   May is a busy month, besides the Kentucky Derby, Hallmark established Mother's day a long time ago, National Nurses week is in May, most graduations and don't forget it's Disability Income Awareness Month (that's a party you can't miss).  But locally we are gearing up for a big and well publicized Bike Week.   In case you didn't know, this is American Bike Month and National  Bike Week is right in the middle.  There is a public conference, a fundraiser for a local trail system, Ride Of Silence, Bike Camp starts, a city to city ride sponsored by two mayors, a film showing at a local pub and two official bike to work days.
   The bike to work days promise to be the most controversial.  After all this is the United States we are talking about.  Despite the fact that this municipal complex has a couple of hundred miles of bike lanes, designated routes and exclusive trails, pitifully few people use their bikes for transportation.  Just recently the Copenhaganize organization (or movement, or whatever they are) released their list of the most bike friendly cities.  Not one United States city made the list.  People here still cling to the idea that using bicycles for transportation is an act of desperation, not common sense.  Michael Coleville-Anderson made the observation that America has to give up the concept of bikes as recreational toys before any serious growth can be seen here.
     I've seen the same thing, in trying to promote the local Bike Camp to train new and returning cyclists to the fold I had a phone call from one.  She called to ask if the Camp was for new cyclists and was concerned about signing up.

Apparently she had bought a new bike last year and wanted to relearn how to ride on a regular basis.  She missed the Bike Camp last year, went to a club ride and was totally put off and intimidated by all the spandex hamsters running around with their crotch rockets.  After that she saw a local senior center organizing some rides and went to a meeting where she found the same thing; a bunch of experienced riders all geared up for adventure together and having no time for a neophyte.  We'll just have to keep chipping away at the image until going to the grocery store or the movies on two wheels becomes socially acceptable.

4 comments:

  1. Chipping away (a great way you put it) here in Lake Bluff, IL.
    I recently raised my profile, by adding a Brompton to the mix. I get a complement just about every time I'm out with it, and I try to very subtly -- through action -- show how easily a bike can make an errand excursion more fun and functional.
    On this mornings commute to the train, I crossed paths with a spandex hampster, said hello, and got no greeting in return. I was struck by the distance between our two perspectives, even though we were both riding bicycles, it felt like we were worlds apart. He must have been in a hurry.

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  2. They definitely seem to think that dressing like an acrobat and riding a machine meant for somebody waaaay beyond their ability puts them in an exclusive club. It just doesn't need to be that way.

    Marc

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  3. Shopping with the B, I feel like I've got more in common with the moms in the grocery isles than any sport bicyclist around. weird.

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  4. I never thought of it that way, but you have a point!

    Marc

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