[Geoff]

@Dickie 99040 wrote:

http://biskey7.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/bicycling-are-you-a-fred/

Liked the article, especially these last lines:
“Sacrificing some, or ignoring completely, concerns of speed or traditional roadie/sport cyclist style, these type of Freds are more concerned with practical concerns like comfort, safety, versatility, maintenance, being able to quickly transition to time and culture on/off the bicycle, etc. Freds of this type can be well aware of their fredness, once they are aware of the concept, and often embrace it wholeheartedly.”

I am all about being practical, and wish to wholeheartedly embrace my fredness.

[Geoff]

@Phatboing 98869 wrote:

I’m sure there is. “You switch wantonly between sidewalk and road, and Idaho stop through stop lights waaa waaa waa”

Except everyone can wantonly switch between sidewalk and road. All they have to do is procure a bike. Free country.

Maybe not. Don’t you have to qualify for a Cat 6 license first?

[Geoff]

@Dickie 98906 wrote:

Hmmm… weird. Try this one: http://www.bicycling.com/news/featured-stories/their-common-life

Yeah, that works. Thanks.

[Geoff]

@Dickie 95897 wrote:

Yep, turns out it was Bobby Lea, a two time Olympian and inspiration for this Bicycling Mag story.

No fair, Dickie! The link took me to the Bicycling site but there was a message that the “their-common-life” page could not be found.

Did a search on their site; this link should work.
http://www.bicycling.com/news/featured-stories/their-common-life

[Geoff]

Sometimes I go Jay Millering. Do it once and go home feeling real proud of myself.

[Geoff]

[The Ghostbusters try to convince New York’s Mayor to let them go and face the ghost threat all over the Big Apple]
Peter Venkman: Well, you can believe Mr. Pecker…
Walter Peck: My name is “Peck.”
Venkman: Or you can accept the fact that this city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions.
Mayor: What do you mean, “biblical”?
Ray Stantz: What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor, real wrath-of-God type stuff!
Venkman: Exactly.
Stantz: Fire and brimstone coming down from the sky! Rivers and seas boiling!
Spengler: Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes!
Winston Zeddemore: The dead rising from the grave!
Venkman: Human sacrifice! Dogs and cats, living together! Mass hysteria!

[Geoff]

@baiskeli 98721 wrote:

Well, yeah, he looks 12.

And isn’t he still in school? At least until the dissertation is finished?

[Geoff]

@Rockford10 98700 wrote:

A member of my family wrote emails to several bike shops last night to see if they had a fixed gear bike in stock and if he could test ride it.

He’s got $20 in his pocket and is off school today. #tobe12again

For some reason I initially assumed you meant dkel.

[Geoff]

Since being polite is controversial, maybe we should invoke Rule #43 instead.

[Geoff]

rcannon and baiskeli are making some points I can get behind. Now, how can the typical cyclist use those ideas in his regular riding to 1) increase respect for cyclists generally, and 2) make his own time on the road safer?

[Geoff]

I think there is quite a range between being shrinking-violet polite and being obnoxious aggressive, just as there is for drivers. I think most cyclists would agree that taking the lane can be safer than hugging the curb, because drivers are more likely to see you and less likely to pass too close. Which doesn’t mean daring drivers to hit you is a way to get respect.

[Geoff]

@wheels&wings 98583 wrote:

Which cyclists are drivers more likely to accept or respect, and which do they resent? What is the role of such factors as gender, age, fitness level, apparent occupation, equipment and clothing?

We should also consider how the cyclist presents himself in traffic. I’m thinking about whether the cyclist comes to a complete stop at lights or barrels through; whether the cyclist makes eye contact with a driver and acknowledges courtesies; whether the cyclist takes the lane or hugs the curb, etc.

I heard that Dirt once had a sign on his bike saying “Honk if you’re horny”. I bet that sign really reduced the number of angry honks he got.

[Geoff]

@Starduster 97781 wrote:

(Insert lyrics from a Manfred Mann song covered by Springsteen here)

Great song, but I believe it was actually written by Springsteen and covered by Mann…

[Geoff]

I’m not sure what to make of the discussion when it turns to how much light you need at 20+ mph. Maybe my legs aren’t as good as other people’s, but the only time I hit those speeds on my commute is a few downhill sections that have good sightlines and good lighting. Most stretches, whether on roads or trails, have too many intersections or turns or bumps to make it worthwhile to build up speed. The turns are a problem on the Custis in particular; given the limited sightlines, there are few places where 20+ is safe in broad daylight.

For the record, my headlight is set at 200 lumens and is angled down. I don’t often cover it because I want my hands on the handlebars and the brake levers. Too many bumps and ninjas on the trail.

[Geoff]

If I were able to write anything other than technical discussions and short forum posts, I would write a book titled “The Unbearable Lightness of Cycling.”

[Author]

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