spokesNspin

I like to encourage people to get out and ride bikes.  I don’t expect initially that they should be as committed to commuting and running errands as I am.  I wasn’t initially so obsessed.  In fact, if they are not an experienced cyclist I would prefer that they start out nice and slooooow. 

I want them to be comfortable and confident on the bicycle before venturing out to do a lot of riding around the streets on personal business.  I want the experience to be safe and enjoyable.

Recently I saw a video from the CBS Sunday Morning Program over on The Daily Cyclist about how many people are turning to bicycling to save money.  Mia Burke made a statement that I thought was very good.

She said that she would encourage everyone to think of just one trip they could make on a bicycle that they would normally make by car and do it once a week.  Find an easy place less than two miles from home that you normally drive to and try to ride a bike there once a week to take care of your business.

Is it the bank, the library or the gym?  Just give it a try.

I hope in the near future to have some guest posts from new bicyclists and people who are trying to use the bike for more than just fun.  I have a couple in mind.   If you are a blogger  and take up this challenge of just one trip, write about your experience on your blog and let me know.  I would like to link to the story from my blog.  If you don’t blog, give me the information and we can post it here.

Just one trip.  That’s all I ask.

The season of high humidity and mugginess has arrived.  This means that the morning bicycle commute adds another risk to the adventure.

 Bicycling along the river one needs to be continually on the watch for bug swarms.  When approaching one if you can’t hold your breath then try to breathe through gritted teeth.

I got caught unawares the other day.  It was totally disgusting and I was hacking and coughing for the next twenty minutes.

It was 19 degrees at my house when I left this morning.  I tried a new variation for clothing.  Instead of a long sleeved jersey over the silk and wool undershirts I went with a sleeveless jersey over the undershirts.    I put a light jacket over that.  It worked out quite nicely.  I was snug as a bug in a rug.

I saw one crazy jogger on the trail wearing very short shorts and nothing on his legs.  From what I have read people might think they are tough but it causes damage in the long run.  It is recommended that cyclists cover their legs anytime the temps drop to below 65. 

I generally follow that rule but it just depends on other factors also.

I had a cyclist pass me on the way to work.  No big deal there happens to me from time to time.   But what really bugs me is when somebody insists on passing and then can’t keep the pace and the next thing you know you are on their tail again.  That was how this guy was.  Not only that, he passed two joggers and when he did he just about ran down another jogger coming the other way.