Share the road?
Take a look at the photos in this blog post and before reading any of the comments, try to work out who's doing what wrong.
Melbourne, anti-bike city
I was put onto the story of Mark Beaumont's cycling around the world record attempt by kimbofo. I was really interested in his views on Melbourne: he identified my home town as the most anti-cyclist city he'd ever been in. And as he reached 12,000km for this trip while he was in Australia, I think he know whereof he speaks. He describes non-stop road rage and aggro as he rode across the city. Sad really.
Anyway, I'll be interested to see how his story comes up on TV, when it finally gets shown here (probably around 2013…)
Roll-your-own
So, you think this might not work: roll-over bike?
Well, some nutcases out there have produced very similar machines that seem to work pretty well, if you're into that sort of thing:
[Thanks tom]
Snobbery
Noted in a recent issue of RoadBikeRider.com newsletter:
"An RBR poll indicated that only 1/3 of the respondents think that BMX racing is a good addition to the Olympics. As a roadie for over 30 years, road cycling is my passion. However, my son and daughter got involved in BMX racing in 1998 when they were 13 and 10, respectively. I even competed (if you can call it that) for 3 years until I finally decided that my speed was far greater than my skill and, therefore, I was a serious danger to myself and everyone else.
"I assure you that this is a real sport and the racers (pros, kids and old guys/gals) are some of the toughest, most dedicated athletes you'll ever see. For most of the kids, this is their first exposure to competitive cycling. Many will go on to MTB racing, road racing/crits or track.
"BMX is a great addition to the Olympics! Don't be a snob; if it can be done on a bike, it's good."
Sadly, I can believe that two-thirds of roadies would look down on BMX and consider it not worthy of "Olympic" status. But I agree with the writer: any time spent doing anything on a bike is time well spent—and who knows where those fit and confident cyclists will end up?
Drive me crazy
Say goodbye to bike chains; say hello to belt drives. Maybe. [Thanks tom]
Exercise for the brain
Putting new meaning into the old saying use it or lose it
,
New Australian research seems to have proven for the first time that walking can help the memory and perhaps even delay the onset of dementia.
Researchers say if the onset of dementia could be delayed by just 12 months, 9 million fewer people would be living with the condition around the world.
A University of Western Australia study has found that walking for a total of two-and-a-half hours a week can lessen memory problems in the over 50s.
If this works with cycling as well, then if I didn't ride I'd be a complete dribbling idiot (no comments accepted on that topic!)
Alpine Classic open for business
In case you hadn't noticed, the Audax Alpine Classic is open for bookings.
Trams running at 1999 levels
The Sunday Age reported yesterday:
The number of peak hour tram services operating along some of Melbourne's busiest routes has fallen since the network was privatised, despite record patronage growth in the same period.
And a privatised public transport system helps the travelling public how, exactly?
Dave calls it a day
I'm really pretty lazy and erratic in my reading of blogs, but there are a few that I like to return to regularly. For this I keep a "Check these daily" category in my RSS reader, and on that short list is Dave Moulton's blog. But no more: Dave's calling it a day. Good on him for knowing when the time is right to let things go (at least he didn't pad out his blog with endless "list of links" entries like some other hack I could name).
But never say never, and hope springs eternal that he may be tempted to say something occasionally, and if he does it will be worth reading. So I think I'll keep his blog in my RSS reader, just in case.
Comments
MLSP wonders if parrots are good eating?
I think BMX racing is a great addition to the olympics. I also particularly liked the addition of the triathlon a while back. However, to make the olympics even better they should cut some of the other sports. How about a rule that if the sport needs a jury it is a no-go?
i really like the parrot vid !!
<GRO-OAN>
Well, I suppose someone had to say it (although that particular line of thought hadn't occurred to me).
I'm sorry to say this... I shouldn't... but I think that damn bird is looking for a blow job
"at least he didn't pad out his blog with endless "list of links" entries like some other hack I could name"
Hey, you lookin' at me??
No—far too narcissistic for that. But if the helmet fits…