Riding Through Back Bay After The Bombing: Open Thread

I rode into work through the Back Bay area today.  It was very strange.  Bomb sniffing dogs, national guard with rifles, absolute gridlock bumper to bumper traffic, and lots and lots of media trucks with cameras and reporters.

The entire thing felt surreal, is this really happening in our sleepy little metropolis?  Its been so…weird…just so nuts the last few days.  So many emotions, and they surge and fade.  I keep thinking about losing a leg, and not being able to ride my bike the same way as before, and what those poor families who have lost loved ones must be going through.  And why for the love of all things good and pure someone would do such a horrible and useless act.  I am not sure I will ever understand fully, or really ever come to terms with this, but I think the best thing we can do is continue to do what we did before.  Live our lives, live them free, and full of love and compassion.

I do have a couple of suggestions for folks thinking about going anywhere downtown in the next couple days/weeks:

Leave your car at home.  You will not be going much faster than a toddler waddles, and I saw more than one car overheating in the gridlock.

Get on your bike, its gorgeous out there, and its really the fastest way to get anywhere these days.

Tell the people close to you that you love them.

I want to here from you, what have your experiences been like?  Have you been riding in that area?  Leave your thoughts and comments below.

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Blizzard Day Open Thread

(Get your bike off the street, or it could end up like this poor soul)

Who rode into work today? Who is planning on doing a little snow biking? Any adventure, plans, parties? Want to talk about anything else? Blizzard day snowy open thread below, leave your thoughts in the comments.

I rode in today, and hope to escape before the real bad stuff starts. In case anyone is wondering the secret to riding in a blizzard, its to wait till a truck rolls down the street then ride in the tire track. Go slow, in a straight line, take the lane, and don’t lean into the turns.

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Slush Day Open Thread

When I got to work today I was covered in a quarter inch of snow, after shaking it off like a dog I realized that it had insulated me and kept me both warm and dry.

Anyone else have adventures today?

Open thread below.

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Go Vote Tomorrow!

Not sure where to fucking vote, find it here.

Vote tomorrow, take a friend. Ride your bike, and you wont have to worry about parking.

This blog isn’t about politics, but I suggest you vote for the candidates that will best support the environment, good transportation policy, and health care (things we cyclists need most). In my opinion those issues are best supported by Barack Obama and Elisabeth Warren.

Which politician party is better for cycling? Who are you supporting? Whats your prediction for the electoral college vote break down? Will you be staying up late to watch?

Political open thread in the comments. Get it all out of your system, because its all going to be decided soon (hopefully).

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Friday “What Did You See On Your Bike” Open Thread

This week I saw some crazy shit on my bike.

A guy holding an iguana riding around JP.
two guys in a honda pushing a guy in a minivan, ostensibly because the minivan had no engine.
The Boston Cyclist Union handing out big ass cookies in front of North Eastern.
About a million very attractive cyclists beating the heat in style.
Several hundred guys/ladies in suits from the Bio conference clog up down town like glue.

What did you see this week? What do you want to talk about?

open thread in the comments below!

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Ride To Work Adventures: Open Thread

I sometimes have adventures on my way to and from work here are a couple from this week:

I was doing a track stand in Allston and a (possibly drunk) girl stuck her head out of the window and screamed “NICE BUTT!”

This morning a guy was running flat out after his dog shouting “come back boy I have a treat!” I gave chase (the dude wasn’t going to catch him) but it was one of them grey hound type dogs and it was gone before I could catch it.

A gentleman honked his horn at me today as I slowed for a red light. I gave him the “are you fucking kidding me face” when the light turned green he sped off to…another red light. I gave him a smile this time…this went on for many many more times. It was possibly the most glorious thing ever.

I saw my friend driving in her car. She shouted “hey!” Traffic was moving so slowly that I rode next to her for a while and we had a nice chat through the window. Then she went home and I rode off and got a hair cut.

I was riding and traffic was moving slowly, a young lady had her head hanging out the window enjoying the breeze. I rode up next to her and said “good afternoon.” She giggled and gave me a high five.

What are some of your recent bike commute adventures?

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Fourth Of July Open Thread

Its that time once again, America proudly proclaims “YOU AIN’T GETTING THIS SHIT BACK ENGLAND!!!” with much fanfare and exploding of things (that’s how we keep those limey bastards from getting up the courage to try and retake the colonies).

How will you celebrate the fourth? Cycling picnic, cycling BBQ, cycling fireworks, cycling, riding a bicycle, having fun with bicycles, bicycle related flag displays, overhauling the bottom bracket in your bicycle…for America, or just plane bike riding?

Leave your cycling (or non-cycling, but really if you don’t cycle on the fourth the British have already won) related plans for the three day America (fuck yea!) themed weekend in the comments.

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Welcome To Boston (Open Thread)

We have a saying in Michigan (where I sprang forth from a giant corn field), “if you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes.” I think there is something very similar here, when you talk about the weather here people often say “welcome to Boston…” Implying that this sort of sloppy shit is just the price you pay for living at the Hub of the Universe.

So welcome to Boston everyone, t-shirt and shorts into work, full winter kit on the way home. Plus its raining! WEEEEE!

I opted for just bringing my rain gear, and hoping its non-breathing rubber suit like nature will keep me warm on the way home. I will let you know.

At least it isn’t February anymore. How was your ride today?

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