Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for April 13, 2012

Ah yes…the weekend athlete…just a heart attack looking for a place to happen.(Srsly, dad…you don’t have to dress like that…helmet, yes. Lycra pants…not so much.)

I hate helmets too, so I stoped bikeing!

That bike in the last panel is defying the law of gravity – just like their TV set.

Never ride away angry.

Frazz does it so much better, Dad.

I use a helmet when biking, but I draw the line at spandex shorts.

>The fanny pack is not even funny.The very term ‘fanny pack’ is funny if you’re British (over here, a dad does not have a fanny!)

nice exercise ..!!!!

You’re right; there should be bike paths everywhere. Where I live they don’t have paths everywhere, but lots of them and there is always a reasonable way to get “from here to there” on a bicycle. Sadly, I can’t wear spandex without drawing chuckles anymore either. You can buy pants that have the functional parts hidden inside but it really isn’t necessary for the kind of riding I do now. I do wish someone would make a good quality (yet affordable) helmet, that didn’t look either like an extreme-sport wannabe or just silly.

Cycling is an excuse for being a dweeb.

Anyone else with Firefox get the “this site canot be trusted” warning when you log in?

I can go biking without a rediculous get-up like that. But there are loads of bikers in my area that look just like that: Rediculous!

Dad needs a full helmet that protects his face. I used to wear one of those hat-style helmets. I was biking in the bike lane when I got hit. Got a broken nose and cracked jaw. Now I wear a full helmet. That puppy weighs 2 lbs — but it’s worth it!

The bf rides his bike for hours and a time and says the spandex pants are the most comfortable thing. I think if you’re into hardcore biking you’ll eventually have to give into the spandex. Besides, why are we so worried about the dudes in spandex when there is a far bigger problem blighting our nation: speedos.

Dad should take his bowling ball helmet and knock Mom and Calvin ‘off their pins’!

I live in the Pacific Northwest, where outfits such as this are not uncommon.Now, let’s everyone here be unlike the Pacific Northwest: No cyclist vs. motorist vs. pedestrian arguements! They’re freaking deadly! (And hint: no one will ever win, because all three groups are batspit crazy. I say this as a member of the last two groups.)

What’s with the fanny pack? Use it for hiking, but use a seat pack on the bicycle.Regarding where to ride – a bicycle is a human-powered VEHICLE. Cyclists ride on roads under all the same Rules of the Road as motorists, except one – keep as far to the right as practicable (that means possible AND practical – so for a left turn, that means staying on the left). A decent road bike will average between 20 and 30 mph; as good as most traffic, better in city traffic. No exhaust fumes. Also, based on calories burned, the bicycle gets the equivalent of 1,100 mpg!

The padded bike shorts work great, keeps the tush comfortable. Helmets have saved my brains a couple of times over the years

Calvin is going to find out that helmets do not look funny when you are used to seeing them,some have real neat designs and are still giving some protection

he looks like 1/2 the population of Portland, OR.

Oh my God…. Third panel had me laughing at what Calvin said.

LOL LOL 5/5!

xxx

In our community, unfortunately, the powers that be think bike paths are a waste of taxpayers’ dollars. So if I want to ride, I have to ride in the street (few sidewalks – also not cost effective).

Funny how bike riding fashion hasn’t changed all that much over the last 30 years. :-D

Dad’s a strong rider – he’s catching some air with that bike…

gmartin: Go soak your head in gasoline. We (bikes) were here first.

I can’t ride a bike (ear/balance issues) – last time I knocked my husband into the bushes. So perhaps I am less qualified to comment…Here in FL, seems like the cyclists ignore rules of the road, ride 2-4 abreast & hog the lanes so cars cannot pass and dare motorists to hit them.OMG – when they are in groups, they are a huge menace. Not asking them to go away, just be considerate.

Anyone who disagrees needs to witness what happens when an eighteen-wheeler encounters a bicyclist.

I was considering riding my bicycle the 3 miles to work, but there were no bikebaths and no quiet sidestreets on the route. I gave up entirely on the idea when one morning on my way to work in my car I saw the aftermath of an accident involving a bicycle and an eighteen-wheeler. The mangled bicycle was under the wheels of the semitrailer, and the bicyclist was in a bodybag being loaded into the coroner’s van. I believe it was the truck driver who was talking to the police and obviously sobbing. A tragedy for all.

@Toronto2That isn’t called for. First of all, don’t tell someone to soak their head in ANY liquid, especially Gasoline. That is plain violent. Also, pedestrians came first: does that mean all vehicles should disappear? I hope you are not from Toronto Canada, that whole statement is an insult to Canadians.

My son’s 6’5" teacher used to ride after school three times a week. He wore those horrible bicycle outfits. Sometimes a yellow one. He looked like a great big banana riding down the street. But I guess everyone could see him! As for Calvin’s dad, at least he’s wearing a t-shirt with those bike shorts. That’s not so bad… okay, lose the fanny pack.

I have a Helmet but I don’t have a bike.

At least he’s wearing a helmet.(But seriously, lose the pants).

Don’t forget that this strip was probably written 30 years ago!If you’re gonna ride, open your eyes & clear your ears!!!!!!!!!!!!Horses got run over, too .

Dad has gone WAAAAY up in my book knowing he’s a cyclist!

yet on the sidewalks they are a danger to themselves and pedestrians. Where would I be allowed to ride? I pay for the roads in my taxes I want to use them.

why didn`t you squirt them

when my dad bike rides with me…he ends up walking back and getting the car

i bet you…Calvin’s dad will do the same

Bicycles are the most energy efficient means of human transport. It takes less energy to bike than even walk.

Motorcyclists and bicyclists are hit daily by drivers of 2000 lb. sub-sonic bullets because the drivers have such difficulty seeing them as real vehicles. I’d LOVE to have a magic button that allows me to shut down a drivers’ car for 24hrs when I see them doing one of the many unlawful act that they yell at motorcyclists/ cyclists for…… (my personal version of road rage)

I don’t completely agree with you. The same inconsiderate motorists that bully bikers with their cars, use their bikes to bully pedestrians when we have to share walking and biking trails. I’ve almost been run over many times due to bicyclists not willing to yield to pedestrians.