Bike commuter in NYC. We have finally surpassed that magic number of 100 bucks. Yes a barrell of crude oil is over that mark and with that a lot of americans are going to start hurting. Long gone are the days were we just pumped and did not worry about it. A large Suv with a tank of 40 gallons cost over 120 dollars to fill. I think a lot of these guzzlers will go to People that have shorter commutes and the long distance travellers will eventually have to opt for cheaper options. I know a lot of commuters are hitting up the trains and the buses and with cities like Portland, Seattle, Madison the greatest mechanical device of all time has been the latest sensation.
That would be the bicycle. The fixie thing is still out there and it has morphed into another subculture thing with bunnyhops and flippy handlebars. There is no mistake that the fixie with no brakes, no fenders, no rack, narrrow tires is not the best of commuters.
The new townies and Rando bikes sport all the forementioned ammenities and make riding easy, clean and enjoyable. A couple of our customers have pledged to draw a five mile radius around there house and accomplish all those commutes by bike. He is sporting an 8 spd Bianchi Milano and the mrs. a Giant Transend Dx. Both bikes equipped with fenders, lights, and racks with Grocery Panniers by Jandd.
So when you don't have to pull out Moby Dick, hop on the bike and set yourself free. Get a Cushy saddle, platform pedals and ride with plain clothes. A survey done in England said that Motorists give more space to "Civilians" than they do the guy decked out in full Lycra regalia.
Supposedly 4 dollars by Summer. But Bush did not know about that.
Go Figure,
Ari
Whatever Bush knew, he ain't tellin'.
ReplyDeleteAnother option are the old mountain bikes before we were told we needed suspension. I know a lot of these are out there serving as homes for spiders and earwigs right now. Like the One Ring, the only way to destroy them is to return them to the flames in which they were forged.
s.
you can always put slicks on a surly and commute forever! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments. I know you guys ride a lot. I want to get the loaves that veg on the heated leather bucket seat to ride. I think Surly should offer the 1x1 as a complete bike like they do the crosscheck, steamroller, Long Haul trucker.
ReplyDeleteari