I have the good fortune to live on a semi-rural road with beautiful views of the nearby mountains.
I also have the misfortune to live on a road that is chosen for multiple charity bike rides each year (not to mention weekend rides by smaller groups of cyclists). While I usually support the charitable purposes of the rides, they make life difficult if I, say, want to go to the grocery store.
Our road is very hilly, with sharp bends throughout. Even very experienced cyclists have trouble going more than 2-3 MPH on long stretches. Imagine what a less experienced cyclist like Len can (or can’t) do, riding a bike for the first time in a long while, without much training beforehand. And multiply that one cyclist by the 50 or 100 usual participants.
They make our road almost impossible to use for everyday purposes. You’re pretty much forced to follow the cyclists, going at most 5 MPH, because the road’s curves and the cyclists riding (inconsiderately) all over the road (instead of single file) make it impossible to pass them safely.
It seems like the organizers of these bike rides don’t know what they’re doing. Somehow, the word has gotten round that our road is good for these events, and the organizers send out dozens of out-of-shape riders, without checking out the route and seeing that it’s way too difficult for most riders. One time we came upon about 50 riders in one group, all going about 2 MPH. The organizers should have known better than to allow such a large group to essentially block the road by starting all at once.
Again, I appreciate the good intentions of the participants of these charity rides. I just wish the organizers would instead use the nearby bike trail, which is level and would be much easier for the average rider. And wouldn’t disrupt the lives of the people who aren’t part of the ride.
He’s in better shape than he thinks or he would never had finished biking the 25 miles. That’s a lot of pedaling, watching out fir other bikers, and trying to find comfortable positions to ride in. Kudos to Len!!!
Are you motivated less by wanting to help a good cause than by wanting to feel good about helping a good cause? To feel good about putting yourself out in order to help a good cause? To feel good about being seen to be putting yourself out in order to help a good cause? Whatever gets you there is good, I guess, but I wouldn’t think less of those who contribute without being motivated by enjoyment of their own or others’ masochism.
Ubintold 3 months ago
Don’t tell him he’s gotta ride that bike home.
papajim545 3 months ago
Patience grasshopper
klbdds 3 months ago
activist causes: a place to mingle and meet and who knows what will happen next???Such is life
MuddyUSA Premium Member 3 months ago
Attaboy Len……
tammyspeakslife Premium Member 3 months ago
One more reason to be in love with the man, hey Abby?
Comics-Reader Premium Member 3 months ago
I have the good fortune to live on a semi-rural road with beautiful views of the nearby mountains.
I also have the misfortune to live on a road that is chosen for multiple charity bike rides each year (not to mention weekend rides by smaller groups of cyclists). While I usually support the charitable purposes of the rides, they make life difficult if I, say, want to go to the grocery store.
Our road is very hilly, with sharp bends throughout. Even very experienced cyclists have trouble going more than 2-3 MPH on long stretches. Imagine what a less experienced cyclist like Len can (or can’t) do, riding a bike for the first time in a long while, without much training beforehand. And multiply that one cyclist by the 50 or 100 usual participants.
They make our road almost impossible to use for everyday purposes. You’re pretty much forced to follow the cyclists, going at most 5 MPH, because the road’s curves and the cyclists riding (inconsiderately) all over the road (instead of single file) make it impossible to pass them safely.
It seems like the organizers of these bike rides don’t know what they’re doing. Somehow, the word has gotten round that our road is good for these events, and the organizers send out dozens of out-of-shape riders, without checking out the route and seeing that it’s way too difficult for most riders. One time we came upon about 50 riders in one group, all going about 2 MPH. The organizers should have known better than to allow such a large group to essentially block the road by starting all at once.
Again, I appreciate the good intentions of the participants of these charity rides. I just wish the organizers would instead use the nearby bike trail, which is level and would be much easier for the average rider. And wouldn’t disrupt the lives of the people who aren’t part of the ride.
Thus endeth my harangue…
j.l.farmer 3 months ago
He’s in better shape than he thinks or he would never had finished biking the 25 miles. That’s a lot of pedaling, watching out fir other bikers, and trying to find comfortable positions to ride in. Kudos to Len!!!
Jefano Premium Member 3 months ago
Are you motivated less by wanting to help a good cause than by wanting to feel good about helping a good cause? To feel good about putting yourself out in order to help a good cause? To feel good about being seen to be putting yourself out in order to help a good cause? Whatever gets you there is good, I guess, but I wouldn’t think less of those who contribute without being motivated by enjoyment of their own or others’ masochism.
metagalaxy1970 3 months ago
You don’t need to be an activist to do good.
Stat_man99 3 months ago
Ride against hunger? Len is probably starving by now….
Back to Big Mike 3 months ago
Yay Len!
goboboyd 3 months ago
But do you have enough loud t-shirts?