Her Way?

 Is she trying to coast on a fixed-gear bike?

Alternative Energy Source?

 Is this what they mean by “wind power?”

Women’s Work?

When I rode with the Central Jersey Bicycle Club, more than four decades ago, not many women were dedicated cyclists. Save for one who was, probably, close to the age I am now*, they were usually accompanied by boyfriends or husbands.

In most couples, the male cyclist spent much of the ride “drafting” his partner: He rode a few meters ahead of her so she could pedal in the slipstream. There was, however, one couple who “flipped the script.” At first—being young and not knowing otherwise—I thought he followed because he liked looking at her from the rear. (Hate me, if you will, for saying this: I couldn’t blame him.) After a few rides, though, I realized she was the stronger cyclist.

I thought about them, for the first time in ages, when I saw this:

*—I was less surprised by her skill and dedication than I was by her husband, who seemed completely sedentary.

Purple Is Always The Right Size

 Whenever I park my bicycle in a public rack, I am sometimes surprised by the variety of bikes.

Sometimes, though, there’s a bike that, no matter how different the others are from each other, just doesn’t fit, or just sticks out, depending on your point of view.

Taking One From The Team?

 The other day, while pedaling into wind toward Rockaway surf, I spotted this:

It’s called the “Queens Flyer.” Lots of things related to New York City’s most diverse borough bear that color scheme because Queens is home to the Mets.

I have to wonder, though:  Was this bike an attempt at fandom without paying a licensing fee?* You tell me.

*-Although I have been a Mets fan for about as long as I’ve been a cyclist—which is to say, most of my life—I won’t lose any sleep over the team’s owner (reportedly the richest in sports save, perhaps, for members of Middle Eastern royalty who own European football teams) losing a licensing fee or two.

Happy Easter!

From Emily Batty’s Facebook page.

Always Together

 When some couples ride, one member has trouble keeping up with the other.

Here’s one way to solve that dilemma:

Something I Never Dreamed

 I have moved from one place of residence to another—on my bicycle. I’ve carried, in addition to backpacks full of clothes and books, various kitchen items, a chair and desk.

But I never hauled what this cyclist has on his back:

Along For The Ride

 We’ve all seen sepia-toned photos of mustachioed, too-hatted men astride “penny-farthing” (high-wheeler) bikes.

You may even have seen an image of a woman—probably in “bloomers”—on one of those machines.

But what about the kids?

A Longer Ride Today

 Daylight Saving Time began in most of the US today, when 2 am became 3 am. EST.

So…there’s more light at the end of today’s ride!

Le Velo De Plume

 If “stationary” stores sell pens and other items for writing,

do “stationery” bikes exist only on paper?

(Now that I think of it, a store—at least a physical one—is, by definition, stationary. But can you ride a stationery bike?)

Beasts Of Burden

 I have never ridden a donkey.

I have, however, cycled in places where people rode both mules and bicycles. The bikes, of course, were strictly utilitarian:  You don’t see anything that would be pedaled in the Grand Tours on rural paths in Southern Italy or the Greek Islands.

And I don’t recall seeing anything like this:

What Must You Overcome?

 You’re a couple of miles (or a few kilometers) from the end of a daylong ride. But every pedal stroke feels like a Herculean effort; every turn of your wheels seems not to move you any closer to home, the finish line or wherever your ride leaves off. 

You keep on pedaling and hope for a rush from the energy bar (or other snack) you downed. In the meantime, do you tell yourself, “Hmm…Maybe something is wrong with the bike”?

Motivation

 What keeps you going?

Five weeks—or less—until Spring, depending on whether you believe Phil or Chuck.

What Did He See?

 Today is Groundhog Day.

According to ancient folklore, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter will follow. If he doesn’t, spring is imminent.

Drumroll…

Six more weeks.  Well, that is more or less when Spring Equinox, a.k.a. the “official “ first day of Spring arrives.

Sometimes I think Andy Warhol had Phil in mind when he said that everyone will have 15 minutes of fame.

I wonder what he does during the rest of the year.

Update:  Staten Island Chuck, out local “colleague “ of Phil, didn’t see his shadow.

Whatever Your Color

 A wise old philosopher told me,  “It takes a real man to ride a pink bike.”

If It Fits…

When I first became a dedicated cyclist, the only “helmets” available were “leather hairnets.”

Has any helmet manufacturer offered a model called “The Hairnet?”

Dressed Up For The Holidays

 Three more days until Christmas.

‘Tis the season for—what else?—tacky sweaters.

My Future?

 Is this my future?

Not Of The Same Species

 On Tuesday, I expressed the first iota of sympathy I’ve felt in a long time for Lance Armstrong.  After all, I can empathize with anyone who’s had bikes stolen.

But it might be the last time I, or very many other people, express compassion for him. He is not the first, and probably won’t be the last, cheater to ride a bike. However, few, if any have done more to disgrace cycling.

On the other hand, a cheetah on a bike? That would be a first. And it certainly wouldn’t  soil the reputation of the sport as the one whose seven Tour de France victories were vacated.