Yes, this will be you in a few years...riding around aglow from radiation while wearing your gas mask. Cars 'r' coffins. Every time I wear this T-shirt from the best bike apparel designers around, Twin Six, I get the same question: Why are those people wearing gas masks?The answer I routinely give: Because this is a peak into the future and you've polluted our environment so badly that I'm forced to ride with a gas mask to avoid your toxic fumes.
The open mouth breathing, deer-in-the-headlights looks I get tell me either people feel guilty about driving too much, or they have no clue what I'm talking about.
Either way it doesn't matter. I'm not anti car but it's fun to use this T-shirt as a conversation starter for alternative methods of transportation — buses, trains, carpools, bike commuting, and the like.
Lest I be labeled a extremist when it comes to cars vs. bikes, let me clarify. I love to ride my bike to work...it saves me money, uses less natural resources, and keeps me healthy. And I do drive a car for a lot of things in my life. I just think when we have access to buses, trains, and bikes we should use them more frequently.
However, I do see a die hard bike commuter every winter wearing a gas mask as he rides from Davis County to SLC every day. I suppose it's to alleviate the impact of the Utah inversion from thrashing his lungs, plus it probably keeps his face warm. He's tough; he rides in some serious cold weather and doesn't seem to mind taking his life into his own hands every day on Beck Street.
I could do this for a living if I had to. As long as all I hauled was Styrofoam. This guy's not that tough.
And how about more of these signs around town...
And as dumb as I think recumbent bikes are, this has to be more than double retarded. The only thing more disturbing than this would be if they were facing the same direction, spooning. (Shudder)
And now it appear that the fair weather riding season is slipping away. Everyone enjoy your spin bikes and trainers.
Two wheels for life.
4 comments:
Only comment on a Sunday evening as I read this and prepare for another week locked away from the life that surrounds me in the beautiful outdoors is that I agree with your statement about the guy carrying Styrofoam. I too could do that for a living. I believe it is a more rewarding way of earning a living than the one I make hidden away in an office waiting for the 5:00 in the afternoon bell to ring so I can bust through the doors to run home and see what adventures await for me there.
One of the good things about being in Texas is that it is never off season, we can ride all year.
You are welcome to come enjoy our fair weather riding season anytime you like...it has just begun and is beautiful. Plus, Jesse is in need of a better riding partner than myself.
Wraparound.....about the only use for double tandems facing the same direction
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