Living Car Free - Dykes to Watch Out For

There has been a whole subplot in the Dykes to Watch Our For strip lately of going car-free, which incidentally, has caused domestic discord. I took a quiz which said I was most like Stuart, (who has the epiphany while listening to news of war on his car radio). I thought this was funny, as he is one of the only male (which I am not) characters in the strip and I think the only male characters in the quiz. I think it was just becuase I think utilikilts are really cool. I have no idea where this online quiz was not though, as I do not seem to see it on either Planet Out nor on Allison Bechdel's blog. Enjoy.

http://www.planetout.com/entertainment/comics/dtwof/archive/468.html
http://www.planetout.com/content/slideshow/splash.html?coll=606&navpath=/entertainment/comics/

http://www.planetout.com/entertainment/comics/dtwof/archive/470.html

Why, I believe she is making mock of bicycle commuters, shame on her.

Ohh, but a playful affectionate mock, though. And no more than she is making a mockery of lesbians. Or leftists. Or people. It is a comic strip, after all. All of the strips deal with characters with sincere, grandiose political ideas, traditionally focusing on lesbian and gay issues, and different ways of struggling with those in the real world. The author is not unsympathetic to these struggles. I mean, I have heard her speak, and I think it is safe to say they are her struggles. She just makes them funny. These strips are nothing compared to some of older ones focusing on Mo. She was for a long time the main character, bitter, anal, difficult, and mad at the whole system to the point where human or romantic connection was difficult. And she gets made fun of. I identify with Mo, and with Stuart, and have a genuine affection for both. I agree that the author is highlighting the difficulties of bicycle commuting rather than the joys, though.

I thought this thread was about cycling in Holland. I don't have a clue, but I'd like to buy a vowel.

Excellent comic strip, BTW. Amazing how much we all have in common.

brillaint, it's amazing it's still so funny

I love that comic strip!

I thought this thread was about cycling in Holland. I don't have a clue, but I'd like to buy a vowel.

I thought the same thing!

I thought this thread was about cycling in Holland.
Huh?

Huh?

Check this out... (http://sptimes.com/2005/10/28/Worldandnation/Travel_s_no_sweat_in_.shtml)

I thought you were talkin' about travel tips...not comic strips.But, as a writer/artist, I can appreciate both! ;)

Check this out... (http://sptimes.com/2005/10/28/Worldandnation/Travel_s_no_sweat_in_.shtml)

I live in Belgium, about 20 miles from the Dutch city of Maastricht. As you know, there are no border crossings between EU countries anymore, but let me tell you, you don't need one to know when you arrive in the Netherlands: when I go there by bike, I share a sorry-looking road with motorists, like I always do, then suddenly a bike path (not a lane, a separate thoroughfare) with the most perfect and smooth road surface appears out of the blue. That's how Belgium bikers know they've crossed into Holland. Once on this lane, you're on a totally separate, parallel road network dedicated to bicycles, complete with its two narrow lane, white lines, lights and signs, that goes exactly everywhere motorways go, including highways. And it's like that nationwide there. It never ceases to amaze me...

Incidentally, Holland is also the only place in the world where recumbentists don't get stares and stupid comments. Not only are recumbents rather common there, but it's also in the Dutch culture to always pretend they didn't see you at all if you stand out :)

I have nothing but love and respect for Belgium. I biked through it from Maastricht to Dunkirk when I biked from Germany to England last year. Wonderful experience, wonderful people.

Belgium was the only place I have ever biked where I simply met someone on the street and they wound up putting me up for the night. That was in Ipres. As a matter of fact, my wife and I are going to Brussels for the weekend next week, and we will take a short side trip to visit those people in Ipres to say hi.

I have nothing but love and respect for Belgium. I biked through it from Maastricht to Dunkirk when I biked from Germany to England last year. Wonderful experience, wonderful people.

Yes, Belgium people are really friendly. Cycling is big there, especially racing (you see a lot of weekend warriors) so usually it's easy to make nice encounters on a bike. Come to think of it, I've yet to ride in a country where I don't make at least a couple of nice encounters on my bike :) I certainly can't say that much with rental cars...

That's nice there is a happy place for bicyclists, but it was the ****/Holland connection that confused me, not the Holland/bicycle association. A quick google search, and I now know there are many dykes in Holland. As well as bikes. :o

The Dutch ones are spelt with an "i"

The Dutch ones are spelt with an "i"

I don't think they are necessarily... I live in the fens in East Anglia, we have a lot of dykes around here too (dutch-inspired!) and the place names are all with a y.

I don't think they are necessarily... I live in the fens in East Anglia, we have a lot of dykes around here too (dutch-inspired!) and the place names are all with a y.

I stand corrected. Thanks.