renegade cross tuesdays

this from our fearless leader, who has abandoned us for the more friendly confines of fargo...

tuesday, october 14, week #6. practice is at ashby park, 3200 38th street. it's right on the way out of town on the "old" tuesday night rides, just north of urbandale avenue. hot laps at 500pm, hotter laps at 530pm, colder beverages to follow after about 45 minutes of grassy frollicking, probably at a.k. o'connors.

i might suggest week #7 be held at rice field, just to give the soccer moms an idea of what their kids SHOULD be doing.

mr. walker v. mr. wheeler...who are YOU?

tomorrow is national walk & bike to school day. there is a wonderful discussion on kids biking to school, the sanctioned disappearance of functional [NOT artsy-fartsy] bike racks at schools, and the efforts of parent groups [PTA and others] in conjunction with school administrators to condone such efforts of kids to safely enjoy what i [and many other sane folks] consider a birthright: riding a bike on city streets without the fear of getting creamed by some thoughtless [at best] or evil [more likely] motorist.
to get you up to date on the problem, watch this video provided by the DOT as a part of driver education.

then go here to read the past few days of yehuda moon and the kickstand cyclery. this storyline begins september 24, and continues through to the present day. yehuda moon is unique, in that readers can comment in a forum section below the daily strip. follow some of the links the readers provide. it is a LIVELY discussion, to be sure.

renegade cross tuesday

tomorrow, october 7, we'll be back for week #5. practice is being held at McHenry park (google it!). easy to find just south of euclid: you recall leaving town on summer tuesdays, going up euclid and turning north at 12th? well, just go a few blocks farther east, and turn SOUTH a couple blocks. ya can't miss it.

hot laps at 5. 'racing' at 530.

i propose beer and debate-watching at highland park country club after, but majority rules on that one.

pass it on.

it's a COMMUNIST CONSPIRACY!!

international walk and bike to school day?

it's wednesday, october 8th, kiddies

pamplona, iowa style

a great, spanish tradition, a rite of passage for all young men, running with the bulls, came to iowa this weekend...

the above photo shows the survivors of this year's running, posing at the traditional post-run gala with the bull, moments before he was shackled and sent back to gym class.
this photo shows how it transpired yesterday at maytag park, in newton. a seasoned bull-runner, the mostly reverend [shown prudently at far left] knows when to get the hell out of the way when a loco toro wants to pass.

WE GOT BAILED OUT, TOO!!

hey, check THIS shit out--you and i actually stand to benefit from the 799 BILLION dollar bailout bill just passed. read this:

Bicycle Commuter Act Passes House, Senate
After seven long years, the bicycle commuter tax provision has finally passed both the House and Senate as part of the financial bailout package. President Bush has said that he is eager to sign the legislation. “We are delighted that the bicycle commuter benefits act has passed after a lengthy and persistent campaign spearheaded by Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR),” said League President Andy Clarke. “Bicycle commuters will now be extended similar benefits to people who take transit and drive to work – it’s an equitable and sensible incentive to encourage greater energy independence, improve air quality and health, and even help tackle climate change. Thanks to everyone who has helped reach this milestone, especially Walter Finch and Mele Williams, our government relations staff over the years who have worked tirelessly with Congressman Blumenauer, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and many others in Congress.” Thanks also to all of you around the country who have contacted your congressional leaders over the years. Keep checking back at www.bikeleague.org as we work on the implementation process.