The Big Creek Greenway

Lately I've spent my lunches riding along the Big Creek Greenway. I can't tell you what a wonderful little ride this is. Sure it's your typical MUP, some bicycles, some joggers, some kids, but what makes the Greenway so special is its environment. There are few places in metro-Atlanta where you can ride through an honest to goodness wetland, but this is one. This ride should serve as a reminder of how crucial wetlands are. Of course years ago some one decided that a major sewer line should follow Big Creek, as a result on rainy days the unmistakable stench of waste fills the air.

Still it's a nice ride. Like sailing I think bicycle touring and commuting makes people into environmentalists, and that's a good thing.

The Horror!

Bicycle tan has returned.

Cartersville by Bike

Today I went to visit my mother in rural Cartersville, Georgia. It's about 50 miles outside of town and I brought my bike so that I could get my brother out for a little desperately needed exercise. I love riding in the country. Compared to riding in the city it's a dream. Quiet roads, fresh air, all the things I love. It's little wonder that the Beautiful Back Roads Century is so popular.

And although there were a fair number of people in pickups driving too fast, most drivers were far more courteous than those I deal with in town. It was great. Now as for riding with my brother, well that's another story.

All About Bicycling (1975)

I was at the library the other day and the Friends of the Library were having one of those used book sales to raise money, and that's were I found this gem.

From All About Bikes

All About Bicycling circa 1975. It's a time capsule from the bike boom and a reminder of how much things have changed. The first thing you notice is that All About Bicycling treats bicycling as a serious form of transportation. Of course the bike boom of the 70s was driven by the gas crisis, but All About Bikes focuses on the other benefits of riding for fun, fitness, and transportation. There are sections on racing and maintenance. They even included a section on touring.

From All About Bikes

Modern readers will notice that no one, except in the section on racing is wearing any kind of helmet. I guess our skulls were a lot thicker back then. Well there is this one guy.

From All About Bikes

More than anything this book reminds me of just how far we've regressed. Bikes were once seen as a serious transportation alternative, now it's seen as fringe activity or a political statement.

Now for a picture that will break your heart.

From All About Bikes

When's the last time you saw that many bikes at any school?

Dear Bicycle Riding Ladies of Alpharetta

Today while riding out for some lunch I saw your group leave the Barnes and Noble near North Point. You all seemed so happy on your bikes, you made me happy too even though I had to go back to work.

Thank you.

Ouch!

Last night after Easter Dinner, me the kids, and the inlaws were playing a little ball. I hit a dribbling line drive toward 2nd and took off toward first base. That's when my non-athletic daughter decided she was going to try and tag me out. So I had the choice of bowling her over or stopping short. I stopped, or at least I tried to stop that's when bad things happened. My ankle was nice and swollen but had subsided somewhat by this morning.

Rather than push my luck I did the long drive to work this morning in the rain. People ask how you can bike to work, I want to know how you can drive. It was awful, rain, traffic, accidents. I was more tired when I got to work than when I left home.