Quote du jour

"When the Republican governor of the reddest state in the union is promoting bicycling as a preferred mode of transportation, you know people are paying attention to the price signals."---Keith Batholomew, U. of U., on the State of Utah's bike-to-work program, in Jim Carey's "The Real Question: Should Oil Be Cheap?" Business Week, August 4, 2008, pp. 54--59.

Any day on a bicycle

It has oft been said, any day that involves riding a bike is a good day. I was reminded of that after I opted for the electric bike when I had to mail something and go to the bank. The motor took the edge off the 94'F degree weather, but I was pedaling the whole way for the fun of it. It made me feel invigorated.

I think my batteries are crapping out though; the low charge light came on even though I only went a couple of miles. I'd like to upgrade to something better than lead-acid but that's a matter of a few hundred dollars. This is not the only thing that's crapping out on the bike. The left grip shift seems to be separating. And the cargo rack is buckling from the 30-pound weight of the batteries.

Still, it's usable, and it's fun. I have been bundling my errands into my Jeep rides to tennis matches so I haven't been out on it a while. Tennis and biking is a whol other entry though...

Blueberries

Fresh blueberries, blueberry pie, blueberry pancakes, blueberry-as-sports-recovery-drink-substitute, blueberry and beef soup...

Novak mows down pedestrian, gets $50 ticket

Visit to George Washington Trauma Center...$50,000.
Failure to yield to a pedestrian...$50.
Star-struck cops... priceless.
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0708/537957.html

MSNBC blames the cyclists

The problem is all the cyclists... says MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25695376/?GT1=43001

Shortcut

A much-awaited link in the Riverwalk has been opened, allowing me to bike along the canal on the way to the post office. Saved me 1.5 miles of baking sidewalk and traffic.