Almost a year after it came available, months after beginning to toy with the idea, weeks after I started making payments on it, yesterday after the Ten Parks Tour, I made the final payment on the Litespeed, and the seller dropped it off. The frame and fork Headtube badge Built and signed by […]
Good thing we waited this morning. For a time, it looked like Bikerjohn and I would be the only riders. “Let’s give it another ten minutes,” I said. Good thing. Two minutes later another rider pulled in. When I told him he was late, he told me the posted ride start time was 9:30. “I […]
I pre-rode the route today and boy, am I glad I did. Not only did I get in my first Metric Century of the season, I discovered road construction, and lots of it. Construction Detours for Ten Parks Tour, RBC Map #10, Sunday May 30, 9am There are two areas of road construction on the […]
Just over a year ago, Yellow Bike and I were hit by a car. We were northbound on Alexander, had the green, and were riding through the intersection of Monroe and Alexander. As reported in yesterday’s Democrat and Chronicle and today on Channel 13, AARP issued a report that says Monroe and Alexander is the […]
Does your bike need repair? Come to a Free Bike Repair Clinic co-sponsored by the Arnett Block Association and R-Community Bikes. This coming Saturday, May 22, 2–4pm in the parking lot at 350 Arnett Blvd (map), two doors down from where I work at the Arnett Branch Library. Fifteen free rehabbed bikes and helmets will […]
May is National Bike Month. National Bike Week is next week, May 17–21. Here in R-Town, that conflicts with the Lilac Festival, so the Rochester Bike Week begins next Friday, May 21 on National Bike-to-Work Day. This, of course, is one of my days off, but for me, every workday is bike-to-work day, so I […]
There’s a thread on one of the forums I frequent, the subject is something along the lines of “Does anyone else get a sense of satisfaction from wearing out components?” At 9,200 miles and after three Rochester winters, I’m in the middle of replacing most of the Portland’s drivetrain because I’ve worn it out. I […]
It’s late morning on a Sunday in early May, and there’s snow in the air. It’s too warm for it to stick to anything, but there’s snow flying around in the winds outside my window. It’s days like today that really make me feel grateful for cycling to work during the week. Weekdays this spring […]
where I’ve done business
You are currently browsing the Scenic Route archives for May, 2010.
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