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Bikes are the answer; for traffic, pollution and obesity
Topic Started: Sep 8 2006, 06:28 AM (484 Views)
Hobie
Junior Carp
Yesterday I had a pretty entertaining day here at the New Coffee Room

When needed to clear my head, I went out for a bike ride. I used my commuter bike, complete with pannier bags, headlight, clipless pedals and all the trimmin's.

I have always thought that we should use alternate forms of transportation if possible. I live in a small town so biking isn't as hazardous as it would be elsewhere. Bikes provide exercise and fresh air to the rider, and it is one less car on the road contributing to gridlock. There is no need to fuel up a bike, nor does it emit any exhaust gas. What is there not to like?

There are some people who feel that riding a bike is the act of a "sissy" with lacy panties. Yes...that's what was said. Is this the general opinion of cyclists here?

What's your opinion?
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
I wanna bike.

Thanks.

I'm going garage sailing tomorrow morning for a bike.
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Mikhailoh
Member Avatar
If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
WHen I lived at the beach I did not own a car, just a bike, and have ridden for many years. I still love to ride and live within a mile of an 80 mile trail. WOnderful.

I would love to live again in an environment where I did not need a car.. I could walk, bike or bus anywhere I needed to go quickly and efficiently. But I live in the burbs and that is not an option. Once my daughter is grown up we will be remedying that.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Mikhailoh
Member Avatar
If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
But I do think those biking outfits are pretty fey. Gimme shorts and a tshirt.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Hobie
Junior Carp
Kenny

Great news! I am really into bikes. I love it. I suggest you look for an older-mountain bike, and then install a different set of handlebars. Try the "moustache" bars like on a cruiser bike. That way youcan sit upright, and still have all the gears from the mountain bike. This seems like the best set-up for commuting and leisure riding. The more upright stance allows you to see and hear traffic better. Plus it places less strain upon your hands, a good thing for pianists.

Are you the same "Kenny" from PW who has a concery Bosendorfer?

Bikes are cool!
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Aqua Letifer
Member Avatar
ZOOOOOM!
Yes, an upright stance is good for orientation, but you get drag on a road bike that way, and I've found that I don't mind working out my arms a bit when I'm biking.

Before I got my license, I biked EVERYwhere. All the roads in town were extremely hilly as well, so I suppose I got pretty good at it. I even took it upon myself to learn the ins and outs of the parts so I could fix them myself. I used it a lot in college, as well. I found a bike to be indispensable then.

Now, my bike is rotting away in my closet. The roads in my area aren't good at all for bicycles, and I can't commute with one. It's a shame I haven't picked it back up, really.

Last time I was on a bike, though, I noticed something about how I ride. I NEVER use a bike seat. I mean, never. From when I get on to when I get off, I'm standing. Weird.
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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Hobie
Junior Carp
There is a freedom...a joy....of wind rushing across your face. the smells, sounds and sights unadulterated by windows and motor noise.

It is not just good for your brain...it's good for your body, too.

And I think that we can look at "bike cultures" like Scandinavia and realize that we can partially solve our energy crisis and national obesity crisis and traffic crisis with the same solution.

That's why I wrote...Bikes are the answer!
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
Hobie
Sep 8 2006, 06:34 AM
Kenny

Great news! I am really into bikes. I love it. I suggest you look for an older-mountain bike, and then install a different set of handlebars. Try the "moustache" bars like on a cruiser bike. That way youcan sit upright, and still have all the gears from the mountain bike. This seems like the best set-up for commuting and leisure riding. The more upright stance allows you to see and hear traffic better. Plus it places less strain upon your hands, a good thing for pianists.

Are you the same "Kenny" from PW who has a concery Bosendorfer?

Bikes are cool!

I am Kenny in PW too but I don't know what a "concery Bosendorfer" is.
I assume you mean conservatory.

I don't have a Bosendorfer.

I have a Bluthner, and a Mason and Hamlin, which is for sale.
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Hobie
Junior Carp
OMG I am very envious of your pianos.

Wanna trade your M&H for a bike?!?!!!

Just kidding :biggrin:
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Mikhailoh
Member Avatar
If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Good for your brain, eh?

How much do you ride, Hobie? :rolleyes:
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Hobie
Junior Carp
Mikailoh

I ride approx. 15 - 20 miles every day. That is usually split between commuter and mountain biking. The single-track trails here are awesome!

But yes, it is good for the brain. Any exercise puts things in perpective, IMO.

I do get your veiled joke...how could I be so stu-stu-stupid if I ride so much. :rolleyes:

Glad to hear you are into bikes too. I can't tell from your avatar, but do you also have lacy panties?

Sissy! :lol2:




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plays88keys
Pisa-Carp
I don't think I'd be too enthusiastic about riding a bike in the snow.
You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy.
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DivaDeb
HOLY CARP!!!
I ride everyday, about twice as far as you do, Hobie, and I've been doing it for 30 years. As a result, I look really good in my lacy panties

:P
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Hobie
Junior Carp
Deb
that's great! I assume you are on a road bike with mileage like that.

I have not yet made to step to a full-on road bike, but an Orbea was calling to me last time I was in the shop. I had to wipe my drool off of it before I left.

I mainly commute and ride a mountain bike.

Now you've got me thinking about fit women in lacy panties.

thanks
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Aqua Letifer
Member Avatar
ZOOOOOM!
plays88keys
Sep 8 2006, 07:44 AM
I don't think I'd be too enthusiastic about riding a bike in the snow.

No doubt. The chain freezes up on the gears, and you can't peddle anymore.

However, a good de-icer can help that somewhat.
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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ny1911
Member Avatar
Senior Carp
I bought a road bike this year to crosstrain after a meniscus tear while training for a half marathon. I certainly enjoy riding, but the drivers around here are not very biker oriented, so I stick to recreational rides on the local bike trail. The biking crowd is a lot les congenial than runners...too mch snobbery about attire, components, etc.

DivaDeb...proof please!
So live your life and live it well.
There's not much left of me to tell.
I just got back up each time I fell.
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Kincaid
Member Avatar
HOLY CARP!!!
I just bought a 7-spd Schwinn - the old fashioned style w/the cruiser handle bars. Got it just for fun and the twins and I have been out several times already. We are very close to some great, paved bike paths. I had not owned a bike since I sold my Sting-Ray in 1979 and hand't ridden since college. It is a lot of fun but commuting won't work for me - 15 miles one way with an amazing uphill. I can't afford to burn an hour and half getting home. (Though once, due to bad traffic, I was passed by a guy on a bike and I didn't catch up to him for miles. Still, I got home about 1/2 hour before he could have got to my place).
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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DivaDeb
HOLY CARP!!!
I have several bikes. I'm old. I collect them :P My husband likes to work on them, so in nearly 26 years of marriage, I think we've only sold one bike, a beautiful yellow Gitane that he sold to buy his Trek.

I have two older racers, Bianchi and Trek, that I don't ride much these days because I had back surgery a couple years ago and they pitch me at a bad angle. I have a GT Airstream with a touring headset that gets most of the work these days. I also have an off-road bike that I won at a party, I don't even know what make it is, but it looks like a can of Dr. Pepper (it's that funny reddish brown and has the Dr. Pepper logo). I have only ridden it once, I'm not really the mountain bike type. Last year, I bought a really wonderful spinning bike that I enjoyed immensely over the winter (we're in Kansas, snow and ice make it tough to ride outdoors).
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
Bikes only work well in urban and some suburban areas.

They're fine by me, but I'd like to see dedicated paths for their usage in many situations.
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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ny1911
Member Avatar
Senior Carp
DivaDeb
Sep 8 2006, 08:28 AM
I have several bikes. I'm old. I collect them :P My husband likes to work on them, so in nearly 26 years of marriage, I think we've only sold one bike, a beautiful yellow Gitane that he sold to buy his Trek.

I have two older racers, Bianchi and Trek, that I don't ride much these days because I had back surgery a couple years ago and they pitch me at a bad angle. I have a GT Airstream with a touring headset that gets most of the work these days. I also have an off-road bike that I won at a party, I don't even know what make it is, but it looks like a can of Dr. Pepper (it's that funny reddish brown and has the Dr. Pepper logo). I have only ridden it once, I'm not really the mountain bike type. Last year, I bought a really wonderful spinning bike that I enjoyed immensely over the winter (we're in Kansas, snow and ice make it tough to ride outdoors).

I don't think that's the "proof" we were looking for. :smokin:
So live your life and live it well.
There's not much left of me to tell.
I just got back up each time I fell.
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John D'Oh
Member Avatar
MAMIL
I find that lacy panties ride up horribly whenever I'm on my bike. I do look pretty good in them though, I must say. There's nothing like the sight of one of my well-turned hairy thighs enveloped in Victoria's Secrets to get me in touch with my masculine side.
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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apple
one of the angels
used to ride and race - up to 250 miles weekly..

absolutely loved biking and it was often my only transportation.. unfortunately my knees are about shot for pedalling.
it behooves me to behold
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Hobie
Junior Carp
Jolly
I agree about paths set aside for bikers.

This is a first step in a larger transportation plan that involves less dependence on foriegn oil and a gradual change to alternatives.

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Jane D'Oh
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Fulla-Carp
John D'Oh
Sep 8 2006, 01:20 PM
I find that lacy panties ride up horribly whenever I'm on my bike. I do look pretty good in them though, I must say. There's nothing like the sight of one of my well-turned hairy thighs enveloped in Victoria's Secrets to get me in touch with my masculine side.

Is that where they went? :veryangry:
Pfft.
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ny1911
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Senior Carp
Not to mention the obesity epidemic (folowing Hobie's post, not the missing panties)
So live your life and live it well.
There's not much left of me to tell.
I just got back up each time I fell.
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