tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post2722051340086917407..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Easy or Difficult? Parallel NarrativesVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-38530135374004331182011-10-23T20:56:34.097-04:002011-10-23T20:56:34.097-04:00I was going to come in to post something similar t...I was going to come in to post something similar to what Giles was positing. Looking beyond cycling, I personally find that while Americans may be more prone to the "strength of character" idea, I think that particular concept has universal appeal that spans nations and cultures. Consider the number of mountaineers, explorers and adventure sports enthusiasts that have come from Germany, Switzerland and England. Consider the writings of Velocio/Paul De Vivie or the more contemporary Irish writer, Dervla Murphy and how they occasionally extol the virtue of travelling by bicycle sometimes despite, but also because of, the travails that accompany it. There is a desire to challenge oneself that, I believe, exists in all people. It's just that cycling in Europe is such a mainstream activity that too view it as a method of individual challenge might be more akin to Americans who talk about going on long cross-country road trips to find themselves or go on an inner journey.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-41398406969539670862011-10-22T11:57:24.932-04:002011-10-22T11:57:24.932-04:00@dr2chase -- fair enough! And too true! (And funn...@dr2chase -- fair enough! And too true! (And funny -- they made me laugh... but in sympathy, as sometimes such car trips are just unavoidable no matter how much one might prefer to be riding. Ugh. Not sure the blogger was laughing in sympathy though.)Deborahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-50474796124361597622011-10-21T22:10:22.713-04:002011-10-21T22:10:22.713-04:00Erik--I agree. There's something fun and excit...Erik--I agree. There's something fun and exciting about learning how to do things for the first time that once might have seemed challenging with a bike. I got pretty excited about riding my bike last year because it was my first Chicago "bike winter." Now, it seems it'll be just more of the same this coming winter--just an efficient, easy way to get around the city. <br /><br />I think Dottie hits this on the mark. Sometimes the message is "bikes are efficient and fun" and other times, it's like, "Hey, I didn't get hit by a car today!"luciteboxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07485398330431664029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-26047449204125926282011-10-21T14:19:15.275-04:002011-10-21T14:19:15.275-04:00I need to clarify my comment above.
When I say cy...I need to clarify <a href="http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2011/10/easy-vs-difficult-parallel-narratives.html?showComment=1319138402435#c8192333048245955102" rel="nofollow">my comment above</a>.<br /><br />When I say cycling can be a challenge if it's raining or you need to carry two bags worth of groceries, I only meant it's a challenge the first time. It's like the first time you drive a car or use the internet. It's not difficult per se, it's just something that you actually need to learn how to do. And then it gets easy once you're used to it.<br /><br />I think this explains a lot of the easy/difficult sentiment found on bike blogs. People are coming back to biking, and learning in the process!Erik Sandblomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14411108063216855210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-5340146894055188932011-10-21T11:33:40.940-04:002011-10-21T11:33:40.940-04:00@Deborah:
http://dr2chase.wordpress.com/2011/10/0...@Deborah: <br />http://dr2chase.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/they-staged-a-monster-traffic-jam/<br />http://dr2chase.wordpress.com/2011/05/21/enjoy-the-freedom-of-a-car/<br /><br />As far as easy vs difficult goes, I think they're both true in the US. If you don't ride continually all your life, getting started on a bike is going to be difficult. People I know who don't ride much talk about 2 and 3 mile rides as if they were polar expeditions. When I restarted biking in earnest, the first few (10-mile) commutes were not particularly fun. BUT -- I (re)developed a nice little engine, and suddenly, not hard. I decided that anything that resulted in me riding the bike more was good, and pursued the path of reduced character and fortitude (fenders, chaincase, plain pedals, always-on lights) and found that I rode more. So long-term, it's easy, and I'll spend money to make it easier. Short-term at the beginning, if I had not had the combination of (1) knowing that it was possible from racing as a kid (2) being utterly pissed about the oil war and not feeling like there was a damn thing I could do and (3) crappy blood chemistry, overweight, high blood pressure, I don't know that I would have.<br /><br />As far as being an advocate, I think that almost follows logically, unless you have no particular opinion on things like traffic jams, parking, obesity, and the cost of health care. Town I live in, "traffic" is the one thing that everyone can agree needs attention. Biking is the selfish way out of that problem -- ride a bike, you do not care that the cars are all backed up, it's not your problem. Same for parking.dr2chasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16320828055999939449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-88061813757246579122011-10-20T23:22:42.779-04:002011-10-20T23:22:42.779-04:00velouria,
great post! Really makes one think. Do...velouria,<br />great post! Really makes one think. Does one really ride because they want/need to or enjoy it. Or does one ride so that one can tell everyone else that they ride a bike instead of drive and so that they can feel like they deserve a pat on the back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-62367716720621708892011-10-20T21:22:09.306-04:002011-10-20T21:22:09.306-04:00Here in a close-in Philly suburb I am struck by ho...Here in a close-in Philly suburb I am struck by how few cyclists are on the roads, even on a beautiful day. This is especially true with teenagers, whose car lust dominates the high school parking lots. They either see bicycles as "loser" material or think it is just too hard to ride a mile or two from home to school. One crossing guard told me that parents of high school students drive their kids from less than a mile away. Amazing! I never owned a car until I was out of college, and I don't believe that I was any the worse for it. I ride because I love to. I don't ride in bad weather and my pace is casual. I do lots of everyday tasks via the bike. I wish that riding a bike would be seen as normal behavior - which appears to be the case in Europe. For those who want to get fit via the bicycle - more power to them. But for me it is pure enjoyment and a chance to slow down the crazed speed of life nowadays. Don't mind at all being seen as the "crazy old guy on the bike."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-28157650605082133282011-10-20T20:36:03.643-04:002011-10-20T20:36:03.643-04:00The flip side of this, of course, is the vehement ...The flip side of this, of course, is the vehement anti-car sentiment on so many bike blogs that presumes the weakness of character of anyone behind the wheel of a car. No bike blogger ever reports looking at a line of cars and thinking "gosh, look how those poor dears are inconveniencing themselves so terribly!" ;}Deborahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-66381715940594081092011-10-20T18:22:53.761-04:002011-10-20T18:22:53.761-04:00I agree with April and Erik. I didn't ride to...I agree with April and Erik. I didn't ride today because the weather was horrific, it would have added over a 20 odd minutes (to get ready, ride, then change out of soaking wet clothes) to my commute instead of an easy 8 minute drive down the road. On the beautiful mornings I can't imagine it ever being hard, but the fact is sometimes it is. I seek out Blogs for motivation I hope that doesn't mean I choose to be a masochist or morally superior. <br />Velouria re:- I would go even further and say that the bicycle industry - particularly the niche industry of classic city bikes and accessories - relies on these blogs' message for their own marketing to be effective. It's all connected.- Could you please do a post about this? Half the time I am jazzed by the classic bike aesthetic, the other half I feel like I am being played or get fed-up with what I am lusting after to show my dandy side and then I become a negative curmudgeon. I clearly need help.<br />PeterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-47201203886591079232011-10-20T17:31:43.044-04:002011-10-20T17:31:43.044-04:00Hi Velouria!
Can you help me with a little think? ...Hi Velouria!<br />Can you help me with a little think? If you see my blog you can see that I'm restoring an old bike (it was of my grandpa, the bike have 70 years) AND I'm doubtful about the color that I want to use... Can you tell me your opinion? Here you can see the 3 green colours: http://elmesfort.blogspot.com/<br /><br />Thank youuuu so much! I appreciate your opinion!Pauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13871173871124354230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-72172750319790654392011-10-20T15:47:46.251-04:002011-10-20T15:47:46.251-04:00In my outpost corner of the USA, I think the "...In my outpost corner of the USA, I think the "strength of character (or body) argument" really appeals. We have some kind of strange lutheran-scandinavian-meets-the-wild-west culture that produces people that like to brag about "training" climbs up Mt. Si (with a vertical gain of 4,167 ft over 4 miles of trail) with extra weight strapped to the backpack. <br /><br />These sorts of folks love jumping on the road bike and putting on the gore tex gear and riding through the cold dark winter. I don't think they are attracted to bicycling because it is easy, but because it is hard, and makes them stronger mentally and physically.<br /><br />I am happy to have them around, buzzing past me at twice the speed I normally travel, because it means there are more bicycles out and about. I just don't really get their take on it. I am lazy. I hate driving and the bus. I am also a bit of a dandy. That is why I ride a bicycle.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08892553888930861596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-81923330482459551022011-10-20T15:20:02.435-04:002011-10-20T15:20:02.435-04:00I agree with April and Cycler. If the blogs are co...I agree with April and Cycler. If the blogs are contradictory it's because cycling itself is sometimes nice and other times a challenge.<br /><br />Maybe this discussion is also about learning what cycling is good for and what your limits are. Anyone can cycle to the shops if the weather and traffic is nice and you don't need to carry too much. The more adverse the conditions, the more experience and willpower it takes -- which can be a nice challenge.<br /><br />And once you're through the challenge you think "oh that wasn't so hard, let's do it again". I think smugness and privation might be overplayed as a motivator.Erik Sandblomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14411108063216855210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-44317799826644216362011-10-20T14:21:49.433-04:002011-10-20T14:21:49.433-04:00I never thought about it, but I totally do both.
...I never thought about it, but I totally do both. <br /><br />I think other people nailed it: the fact is, bicycling is more fun and often faster, except when it isn't. <br /><br />There are days when it's the best thing ever, and days when it's rainy and cold and I consider taking transit instead. <br /><br />And sometimes it's fine to take the bus or train, and sometimes I do the ride anyway and feel really proud of myself for having done so. <br /><br />Plus, it's usually just not as bad as I was afraid it would be.Aprilhttp://aprillikesbikes.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49639699787008816842011-10-20T13:30:07.191-04:002011-10-20T13:30:07.191-04:00I think you're right when you say (in the comm...I think you're right when you say (in the comments) that part of it may just be that cycling is easier in continental Europe (not the UK) - certainly in the Netherlands, the impression is that everything is done to make cycling the easy choice over driving, in order to encourage it. <br /><br />The problem for UK (and I guess US) campaigners - and I include many bike bloggers in this - is how to encourage other cyclists to join us (strength in numbers, building a constituency of cyclists who might then get listened to by politicians) while at the same time keeping up the pressure for better infrastructure to make cycling easier for everyone. <br /><br />The fact is, cycling is inherently convenient, cheap and healthy even in a hostile environment, but not as convenient or safe as it could be were we to enjoy the sort of infrastructure seen on continental Europe. Anyone who cycles in, roughly, the Anglo-saxon or English-speaking world, experiences both these facts on a daily basis, hence, I think, the tension between the two...townmousehttp://cityexile.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-57878894783473487282011-10-20T13:06:24.456-04:002011-10-20T13:06:24.456-04:00I love it when you post something so thought provo...I love it when you post something so thought provoking. The thought of "oh woe is me" marketing never came to mind, but it makes a lot of sense.<br /><br />My favorite bike places to hang out have been the "Clyde and Athena" forums because for folks who are 300 pounds or disabled, biking really is a challenge. Talk to a disabled vet who's doing Ride2Recovery or another similar bike therapy program and the goal really is important. There is so little I have in common with people who are 120 lbs and find it hard. Would they like a latte with that cup O'whine? :PRonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16096213034605839343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-2552445880932851552011-10-20T13:04:38.013-04:002011-10-20T13:04:38.013-04:00This post is a bit heady for me, but you bring up ...This post is a bit heady for me, but you bring up a good point. I look at it as the difference in cycling for transportation vs. cycling for sport and exercise.anniebikeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09761205231523083781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-197793498117340312011-10-20T12:27:02.204-04:002011-10-20T12:27:02.204-04:00Interesting point. I guess our culture is just so ...Interesting point. I guess our culture is just so based on achievement (versus, say, efficiency) that we prefer to look at the goal part of a task. Glad you're having a lovely trip!Jessica C--The Happy and Healthy Bloghttp://www.jessicacassity.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-85375558358423143322011-10-20T12:02:16.627-04:002011-10-20T12:02:16.627-04:00Freie Fahrt - Here is the male equivalent : )Freie Fahrt - Here is the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovely_bicycle/6239771305/in/photostream" rel="nofollow">male equivalent</a> : )Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-86795565467401773662011-10-20T11:46:34.280-04:002011-10-20T11:46:34.280-04:00Ack, this strength of character argument.
I didn&#...Ack, this strength of character argument.<br />I didn't know doing something one likes is a chore.<br />Callow Mericans.Ground Round Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103163385322185034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23818950283410368962011-10-20T11:23:12.201-04:002011-10-20T11:23:12.201-04:00As a sixtyish cyclistwho does it for sport (utilit...As a sixtyish cyclistwho does it for sport (utility happens) my cohort is out on the road because we are unemployed. Or consultants.<br /><br />Those of us who maintain regular gainful employment are becoming more forthright about dodging drudgery and gently guiding our staff as they accomplish all the real work. Playing hooky is not going to be much fun when our bodies stop working, so we do it now.<br /><br />Much real work that used to happen on the golf course or in a barroom is now done on the road or in a coffee shop. One of the best spots for serious business is in the basement, over a bench littered with old bike parts.<br /><br />All the narratives about virtue and strength of character continue somewhere in the background. If you say those things out loud in my group you'll need a sense of irony and a punchline.<br /><br />Yes, Velouria, hedonism is what makes us tick.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-62829119609552710902011-10-20T11:07:28.502-04:002011-10-20T11:07:28.502-04:00I live in Southeast CT. where there is no bicyclin...I live in Southeast CT. where there is no bicycling infrastructure like most places outside of the cities in America. I only occasionally see people commuting on bikes. As far as riding a bike to the store I think that is viewed as something that is done only if you have to. Most people around here cycle for exercise and recreation, not transportation simply because its not easier to do otherwise. I know most of your readers won't like to here that but its true. If you live in the burbs and don't have daily traffic jams and congested city streets to travel on driving your car is the easiest mode of transport. Its faster, sheltered from the elements and you can carry more without having to give it a lot of thought. Most of us live more than 10 miles from our work, which means commuting by bicycle is slower. I commute by bike occasionally, I wish it were more, but I have to allow more time to get to work if I'm going to travel by bike. I occasionally cycle for utility and I hope to increase that amount as I get the old Peugeot mixtie set up for it. Most people I know that don't cycle have very little reaction when I do commute, thay just figure I like to ride my bike. <br /><br />As a bicycle enthusiast I am always looking at various bikes new and old. The message I get from the large bike manufactures is that cycling is fun, good exercise, or a particular bike might be presented as cool or bad ass. It certainly would not be in their best interest to present cycling as a hardship. As for the blogs that I read, they present mostly a love of bikes and cycling. Only one of the blogs I read presents cycling as a more environmentally friendly mode of transport and advocates for it.accyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12293792612093731852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-35360605240526438652011-10-20T11:04:37.595-04:002011-10-20T11:04:37.595-04:00You're right. Cycling as a "gentlemen'...You're right. Cycling as a "gentlemen's sport" became a "pharmaceutical business" 50 years ago... My example is not really pertinentGilesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-61364882088006852372011-10-20T10:50:03.736-04:002011-10-20T10:50:03.736-04:00Giles - But it seems to me that in Europe (by whic...Giles - But it seems to me that in Europe (by which we really mean continental European countries with a history of transportational cycling) there is not a tradition of confounding transportational cycling with roadcycling the sport as there is in the US?Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-6632679932735433802011-10-20T10:46:43.627-04:002011-10-20T10:46:43.627-04:00The "Difficult" narrative is present bot...The "Difficult" narrative is present both in Europe (<i>Tour de France</i>, <i>Giro d'Italia</i>, etc.) and in the US (adverse reactions to cyclists from drivers, indifference from municipal authorities, etc.) but I see the main difference in the fact that Europe is more "collectively" (but not exclusively) oriented and the US is more "individually" (but not exclusively) oriented. The "Easy" narrative seems to be the same on both continents.Gilesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-29911620356960363752011-10-20T10:43:09.821-04:002011-10-20T10:43:09.821-04:00You pointed out earlier in the comments what I was...You pointed out earlier in the comments what I was coming here to say -- that in many European cities bicycling is much easier and more convenient than it is in most American ones. To me, especially living in a city where the cycling community is not large or widely supported, there's enough discrepancy there to make up for most of the difference in attitude. At least, given what I see on the Euro cycling blogs I read. They're riding in a completely different world than I am!Trishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15741439556352428939noreply@blogger.com