I’m 19⅔ miles short of my 400 miles goal for the month, and that’s okay, especially considering that ten days ago I was 250 miles short. Given how crappy the weather was for the first two-thirds of the month, it’s amazing that I got this close. Even being 20 miles short in April, good weather […]
I’m still struggling with downsizing what I carry on the bike. The Arkel Tailrider trunk bag was a good idea. For commuting it seems to be just the right size. I had been concerned that it would turn out to be too small, with warmer weather requiring that I carry a change of clothes. On […]
Sunday’s ride turned out to be only 32½ miles. I had planned on 40-60 miles or so, but nice as the day was, a server maintenance project (always scheduled for Sunday mornings) stretched out until after 3pm. My plans had been to ride out into the country to visit Bikerjohn, show off Yellow Bike, maybe […]
I also wrote a tighter, more concise version of this story—with a slightly different slant—titled While my shoes finish baking… on the Bicycling Love Forum. I almost think I like that version better. A couple of weeks ago as I was lamenting the passing of the winter season Tuesday Night Urban Assault ride, when I […]
All three of the weather forecasts I use screwed up today. They all predicted rain this afternoon. Instead the clouds parted and blew away, the sun warned everything up and the winds slowed down just a bit. I waited for rush-hour traffic to clear, then geared up, carried Yellow Bike downstairs and rode off into […]
I finally picked-up Yellow Bike after work on Saturday. Seana went downstairs there to retrieve it for me while I chatted with a woman about her Seven Alaris. Sevens are just such beautiful bikes. The pictures on their web site just don’t do them justice. The welds are nearly invisible, the curves in the chainstays […]
where I’ve done business
You are currently browsing the Scenic Route archives for April, 2007.
Someday we’ll all look back on this, and plow right into a parked car.
Just as man evolved from four feet to two, some have evolved from four wheels to two.
Tourers and commuters are a lot alike. Both breeds usually choose a sturdy, yet no-nonsense bike, and both usually have to carry more than your usual OCP roadie. We take tips, tricks, and underground secret information from almost every other type of cyclist, chew it up, and spit out a form of cycling science that manifests itself as a fusion of both basic transportation and recreational riding all at once.—ax0n
You shouldn’t anthropomorphize bikes. They don’t like it when you do that—JustBrowsing
Somewhere on gayforums.net there’s a thread that goes “I just shaved my legs and got some tight lycra shorts. Do you think it would make look like a cyclist or not?”—From yet another “Does wearing lycra make me look gay?” thread on bikeforums.net
I don’t hate cars per se, but the lifestyle they encourage is as lethal and self-destructive as any drug.—Cosmoline
I guess for me it boiled down to a realization that a bike was the right tool for the job. Using a 3,000 pound vehicle move me and my briefcase 2.5 miles to work everyday was like using a steamroller to press my shirts—they'd be wrinkle free, but an iron would be a better choice.—chocula
Starve a terrorist—ride a bike to work. It’s not just good for the environment, it’s good for civilization.—NotAsFat
When all the gasoline runs out, the Priuses are going to be dead on the side of the road right beside the Hummers.
Who is more patriotic, the person who commutes to work on a bike, or the guy who slaps a US flag decal on his SUV that gets 12 miles per gallon?—Jim Caple (ESPN)
I’m on the odd side of now but the right side of history.—Woodog
What’s the point of a bike if you can only ride it on weekends and you can’t even carry anything with you?—madfiNch
I don’t ride to save the environment, auto fuel, money or even to get exercise. I ride because I enjoy it and as a consequence, I get the benefit of the other things.—Charles Vail
What I need is a tandem, a squash racquet and a daring & ruthless accomplice. Is anyone in?—Chris L
My two favorite things in life are libraries and bicycles. They both move people forward without wasting anything. The perfect day: riding a bike to the library.—Peter Golkin
If one is going to be hedonistic and NOT actually in Jamaica, well bicycles ain’t such a bad way to go.—PansyPalmetto
Skilled city cyclists move through traffic like gazelles through a field of fat cows.—JoeyBike
Biking isn’t a sport because anybody can do it. I can bike, you can bike. For goodness sakes, my mother can bike! You don’t see her on the cover of Sports Illustrated, do you?—jack002
Bicycles move with the flow of the Earth—Nikki Giovanni
Let’s have a moment of silence for all those Americans who are stuck in traffic on their way to the gym to ride the stationary bicycle—US Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
Putting slicks on a mountain bike is like putting a dress on your best friend Bob. He still won’t look like a woman, and he won’t ride like one either.—Platypius
They’re just bikes. Ride ’em in the rain, salt, snow and crap to fully appreciate them.—Mike Zanconato
One of the best things about bicycle commuting is that it can mitigate the displeasure of having to go to work.—BikeSnobNYC
When you approach an intersection think of the cars as affectionate cats that are going to try to rub themselves against you.—BikeSnobNYC
It’s like bikes. Give yourself a budget. Then double it.—grscha
Rule 9: If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.—The Rules
I ride to work just because I enjoy it, but I keep getting told it’s for other reasons.—ThermionicScott
If I only rode my bicycle on nice days I wouldn't be a cyclist. I'd be just another old fat man with a bicycle hanging in his garage.—Dave Cutter
I took Brucew's advice ... Perfect!— ScooterDobs