The Real Reason For Cycle de Mayo

Today is Cinco de Mayo.  On this date in 1862, a poorly-equipped and badly-outnumbered Mexican army defeated their French counterparts at Puebla.

Although the victory is commemorated, this date is not a major holiday in Mexico.  But that doesn't stop the diaspora in the US and other countries from turning it into a celebration of their native land's culture and heritage*. And it doesn't stop other Americans, including ones who are about as Mexican as I am (which is to say not at all, at least to my knowledge!) from joining in the festivities--which, in some towns, include bicycle rides.

Of course, we all know that--if you'll pardon a paraphrase of the person who did more than anyone else to disgrace cycling--that it's not about the ride.  I mean, what better excuse for a nice hearty feast of tacos or whatever else you like than a couple of hours of pedaling.

*--At least it makes more sense (to me, anyway) than making Columbus Day a celebration of Italian pride.  I say that as someone whose heritage is half Italian.

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.

A Republican Is A Republican

 Lest you think only the Republicans closest to Trump,’in the reddest states, are hostile to cycling, look at the Republican caucus in Oregon’s House of Representatives.

They comprise 24 members of the 60-person chamber.  Although they are in a state that includes Portland—nicknamed “Bicycle City”— and where one out of every ten driving-age citizens doesn’t have a license, they want to slash funds for mass transportation and bicycle infrastructure. Moreover, they want to eliminate sales tax for new car buyers but not for bike, or even eBike, customers.

Oregon’s House Republicans 

House Republicans say that their actions are in keeping with the Oregon Department of Transportation’s mission of  “maintaining safe and reliable roads and bridges.” But, as Jonathan Maus, the editor of Bike Portland notes, they seem to believe that only cars and trucks belong on those roads and bridges, and cyclists and pedestrians don’t have a right to use them safely.