What are you reading this week of June 11, 2017?

[TexasProgresive]

16. That's the one. He calls himself our scribe. Apologizing in advance if this bores anyone.

Thursday evenings he sends out an email with news of the various people in our riding group and the schedule for the end of week rides. He usually does a little "poem" that is usually not flattering but an honor to be mentioned. Here's a sample from this Thursday:

Sorry, things are still just a bit groggy here. I played a drinking game while watching the Comey Senate hearing this morning. Every time I heard the word “collusion”, I took a shot of beer. Each time I heard “obstruction”, I had a shot of tequila. And every time anyone uttered the word “inappropriate”, I did ten burpees. That’s what I call democracy in action!

As for the regular…

The cadre will assemble at 7:30 on Rock Prairie and 7:50 at Pebble Creek.

Friday Follies will roll out at 8:30.

The Girls with Grit rolled out of Eugene, perhaps on their way into Umpqua National Forest, where the forecast calls for a bit of precip. I think that today was a rest day, after a week on the road. Deb tells me that she was rather layered up a few days ago.
Note from TexasProgresive: These two ladies are about my age- one older the other younger. They do long distance trips on bikes once or twice a year. This year they had their bikes shipped to Seattle and they are riding from there across the Cascades, and the Divide to somewhere in Colorado. The following link shows their progress.
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=023L6gCqVqWfoSq59JJ8ts3vJg4auOP5G
The also are posting on their FB page: An American Bicycling Adventure

This is his send of missive for the Girls with Grit BTW that their name for themselves


Sending props to our friends with these words and this wit
It’s just one more day on the road for the Girls with Grit

Get out your US map and place your finger us on Seattle
For me to say that’s a fur spell – just more banal prattle
All gear fastened securely so it won’t annoyingly rattle
Buoyed by dear friends and laden with pannier chattel

First campground chore to launder today’s well ridden kit
It’s just one more day on the road for the Girls with Grit

I predict that pretty soon they’ll be using all those gears
Hoping that tonight’s campsite will offer cold enough beers
Heading out each morning deserving ridiculously loud cheers
Eyes fixed ahead, smiling grimly, as a mountain pass nears

Somewhat sure that later telling will some of the misery omit
It’s just one more day on the road for the Girls with Grit

Will the first mountains ridden over bear the name Cascade?
Our girls are tough – they’ve already been up many a steep grade
The result of which is often that unfortunate helmet pomade
But the envy of our cycling peers – the bike jersey tan fade

Miles, camps, meals and more make this group so tight knit
It’s just one more day on the road for the Girls with Grit

I recommend, uphill or down, maintaining a tempo allegro
A pace that even I might consider to be somewhat mellow
The legs never responding like so much lime flavored jello
Sage advice that will assist you down that road to Pueblo

The magic they carry – the aura that’s visible as though backlit
It’s just one more day on the road for the Girls with Grit

More news from Bill our Scribe:
I have had a ripping good time watching Le Criterium du Dauphine this week. Thomas De Gendt displayed incredible Belgian form on the first stage, riding away from the break, showing a clean set of wheels and soloing in to the race leader’s yellow jersey. You might remember le Tour exceptionel that De Gendt enjoyed last year, earning the polka dot jersey for several days and winning the shortened version of the run up Mont Ventoux. At the post race interview, the cool Belgian voiced his optimistic view of Stage 7, which finishes on the iconic Alpe d’Huez, a victory which, he said, is included in his bucket list.

In the news, I saw an interesting article in the Sunday’s Chronicle about cycle commuting. The gist was that with more miles being ridden commuting, the cost of increasing injuries from accidents are costing more money. What really got my attention was the following: “The number of bicycle miles traveled annually by people 45 and older went from 1.9 trillion in 2001 to 3.6 trillion in 2009.” So, if a Billion worldwide cyclists each ride 3,600 miles each, that equals 3.6 Trillion miles. I wonder where this article got their data.

In the bicycling mecca of Massachusetts, transportation advocates are encouraging vehicle operators to perform what is call the Dutch Reach. Drivers use their right hands to open the door, which will make them more likely to look back for a cyclist potentially overtaking the parked car, lessening the chance of “dooring”. One’s cell phone can be in the driver’s left hand during this operation, perhaps with the additional benefit of promoting ambidextrous texting.

And, for this historical perspective, this indulgence began 5/7/2010 with

Be there or be square,
If you dare,
Get out of your chair,
Be very aware
There will be no bear
Let’s be fair
Stay out of the glare
Let down your hair
With nary a care
And whining will be rare!

Thusly (humbley) submitted
Your Scribe
Bill