Wheels--And Shoes--For The Parade

Today, the 4th of July, is Independence Day in the USA.

I've been following the hearings of the committee investigating the Capitol riot of 6 January 2021.  While I admire the courage of some who have testified--like Cassidy Hutchinson and the Georgia poll workers--I still wonder how long this country--or to be more accurate, its people--will be free from those who tried to take it from us.  The really scary thing is that they weren't foreign invaders. 

On a lighter note, lots of things will be festooned with flags, or at least decorated with its colors.  They include, of course, bicycles, some of which will roll amidst parades.

When I saw this, 

                      Image from San Francisco Bike Party

I wondered:  Were the shoes decorated to go with the bike, or vice versa?

Oh, and are those shoes compatible with cleats?

P.S. Today is my birthday. I won't tell you my age. Let's just say that I'm younger than this country.

A Croc Of...?

Grant Petersen of Rivendell Bicycles has been called a "traditionalist iconoclast".  At first glance, that sounds like an oxymoron.  What it means is that he advocated a return to tried-and-true designs, methods and materials for bicycles and components at a time when the industry was moving toward carbon fiber and such.

On the whole, I'm with him.  In fact, you might say my bikes are, at least somewhat, Rivendells without being Rivendells.  All of my frames are lugged steel; all of my components are steel or alloy: there's no carbon fiber anywhere on them. For that matter, I don't use brifters, clipless pedals or low spoke-count boutique wheels, although I've tried them all.

I also agree with him when he says you don't need special clothes for cycling.  I say this as a reformed Lycra Lizard.  

But he also thinks that Crocs are perfectly fine shoes for cycling.  Again, there was a time in my life when I wouldn't even ride to the local bookstore (remember that?)  unless my foot was attached to my Look pedals with the stiffest shoes Carnac or Sidi made.

Now I ride mostly in "normal" shoes.  Still, I have never pedaled in Crocs.  In fact, I have yet to own, or even try on, a pair.  Maybe I won't, ever, especially after seeing this:

From Memecenter

Even after shedding skintight racing gear and jettisoning clipless pedals and cleats, there are still some things I won't wear on a bike!  I'm sure Grant would concur.