bikrocosm

68 posts

Big-Oil Spindependence

Rides

I rode my bike to work today in observance of National Bike To Work Week. The 26 mile round trip gave me the chance to tell Big Oil that I’m not their biatch (today). The ride also gave me a chance to make some observations…

Big climb on Rt. 63, Green Lane, Pa.
  • People in cars are very courteous and respectful of cyclists on the morning commute. I experienced more aggression from the groundhog that almost bit my tire than I did from any drivers.
  • People in cars are very discourteous and disrespectful toward cyclists on their evening commute.
  • Dump trucks suck.
  • Pre-ride preparation makes all the difference. Bringing a change of clothing, packing a lunch, and making sure the bike is ready to go the day before the ride is a smart idea. Maybe next time I’ll remember to do that.
  • A half dozen road riders passed me, and let me draft for a few miles before turning off. It was a six pack even Ian MacKaye could love.

T-Town ’08

Events
The Bikrocosm tent – T-town, Pa

My wife Michele and I just got home from T-Town, the Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Trexlertown, Pa. It was cold, damp, windy and great to be surrounded by bike people. We sold some Velo Shirts and Velo logo hats and received a lot of positive feedback.
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(Un)fortunately, for the first time, I sold more than I bought at the swap meet. I need to sell a couple of bikes before I can buy more. Maybe by the Fall swap meet I’ll be ready to spend. A bike can be written off as a “company vehicle”, right?

bi-kro-cosm

Miscellaneous

My most memorable experiences; the people I’ve met, places I’ve traveled, jobs, friends, etc., my favorite memories have been connected to bike riding.

I’ve met a lot of people, but it seems that there’s usually a “click” when I find out somebody is a biker.

Me and Gabby hanging at the Gravity Games (I’m on the right)

Thanks to riding I’ve been lucky, and have had opportunities that I’m sure would never have happened in other sports. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have hung out with Gabby Reese if I was, say, going to wrestling practice every day when I was younger. I know I would never have been close enough to see the veins on Telly Savalas’s head if I joined the chess club in high school.
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Even though I enjoy “non-bike” stuff, and hang out with “non-bike” people, I always like the bike world a little more than the real world. It’s like living in a bike microcosm, or, bikrocosm.