Ski Bike

Bike. It's Patriotic.

I'd forgotten about this one until it showed up on the Commute by Bike blog last week. Sure, he's not wearing a helmet, and there may be other things that can be said to disparage the clip ("it's advertising," "it's beer," "it's good|mediochre|bad beer," etc), but there is a lot to commend in it as well. Kim, a commenter on Commute by Bike, put it really well;

"...it’s a seriously great message in a lot of ways. Look at that guy- beer gut and cheap handlebar basket, flannel and a who-cares-brand mountain bike. There’s nothing unapproachable about this.

"He’s not a granola-muching vegan or a lycra-clad triathlete on a titanium road machine. He’s not a hipster on a fixie. He’s not a kid out playing (although that’s cool, too). He looks like your neighbour. He looks like the people we want more of on bicycles. It’s so everyday and no-big-deal; it’s perfect."

Amen.

Riding on ice

The temperature in the Triangle dropped 48 degrees yesterday, so in honor of cooler weather, here's a video about some really cold weather cycling.

With studded tires, it's possible. Trust me on this. I college, I used to commute to class via lake.