Mono-Wheel Discrimination Ends

Urging for more diversity amongst his cycling Mustang brethren, one youngster rode his unicycle to school. "So I may not live in The Clem but the distance is still a factor. In fact, since I have only one wheel my distance is actually twice as far as those cycling with two wheels," explained Mono-wheel Mustang Man.
The only reason that makes any sense to me is because I teach English and opted out of being a math major...or minor.

The Buddy System

A ride is only as good as the person rolling next to you. Treks from The Clem are palatable because Tim Hardy is a great listener. At first he was a bit reluctant to join the cycling revolution. However, the novelty of the first ride never wore off and he made the journey on his own. Since then we've chatted about the deer carcass, the frenetic nature of squirrels, AP audits, floodgates and pedantically bombastic triangular circles. I know nobody else will understand that last one but I feel good about venting frustrations. If you see us roadside, a polite honk and wave would be great.

Ripples to Waves to Tsunamis

Matthew Arnold described the tide as "the turbid ebb and flow of human misery" because he never experienced Bike to School. Not yet willing to let their adolescent days go by the wayside, there seems to be growing support for two-wheeled contraptions at LHN. My room is beginning to look less like a place of academia and more like a second hand bike shop.

Cycle, Laugh, Repeat

Another glorious trek in from The Clem. Although he doesn't want to admit it, my riding partner - Tim Hardy has been bitten by something worse than a little radio-active spider. I scoff at you Peter Parker. No, the fangs of the Cycling Bug have done their damage. After our little spin to school one week ago, Tim took it upon himself and rode in Wednesday. Today we saddled up in our organic kits and hit the roads of Macomb County.

I opted for the defiant Stick-it-to-the-man jersey. I loved the statement, despite the bleeding of temporary markers I used. It was even a great conversation starter when we posed for the gas station photo.

Allow me to transcribe our conversation:

Inquisitive, Truck-drivin', Co2Fume-Spewin Vehicle Operator: You all havin' some kinda protest of sompin?

Me: I can't pay $3.55 per gallon (as I show the jersey)
ITD'nFSVO: It's $3.31 a gallin at Costco
Me: I paid $0.00 per gallon this morning!

ITD'nFSVO: Rock on, dude. (as Marlboro 100 smoke seeps from the inner lung chamber)

The ripple effect is getting larger. Four seniors rode in today and used my room as their bike stand. Next week there promises to be more. If this keeps up I may have to add an exterior bike rack to my English budget. Books and bikes: a perfect combination.

BWW Euphoria

BWW was a success. I'm not sure what was more fun riding in while chatting with a colleague or asking my fellow rider how much money it took to fill up the gas tank on his two-wheeled rig while we were cutting through a gas station. Ahhhh, greening the earth while riding to work with the morning birds as our soundtrack.

A nice ride.

BWW: Launch One Scrubbed

Due to circumstances beyond our commuting control, BWW from The Clem was temporarily delayed. After checking with Doppler 75,000, it looks like this Friday will be the perfect end to a perfect week. If gas prices continue rising, BWW will become BWD...every day.

In case we never arrive to school in time, please begin looking in ditches along the traced route.

...from The Clem to The Corral

Although FFR may be declining, its first cousin BWW is on the upswing. National Bike to Work Week is next week and to celebrate, Tim Hardy and I will take to the streets on Wednesday. We hope our efforts will green the earth, save me cash, provide great fodder for bulletin board material and produce pictures that will entice others to join this anything-but-esoteric adventure. Lower heart rates, cholesterol levels and stress will be byproducts that will keep us riding.