Commuting - The Happy Cyclist

Disheveled hair, loose-fitting, worn clothes, a strange look of satisfaction on the face, all indices of a Happy Cyclist. Not a care in the world, except a bike chain that needs lubing, the weather report and the right "bike fuel" to get home on.

The Happy Cyclist appears as an irresponsible citizen on the one hand, refusing to subscribe to the most basic of modern ideals, such as maintaining a car, wearing the latest fashions and even eating at [insert your least favorite greasy-spoon "restaurant."]
Indeed, it seems as if by accident the Happy Cyclist has rejected
so many sacred cows that blasphemy would be too light an accusation to make against the offender. Yet the Happy Cyclist
appears unconcerned, still wearing that most puzzling of human expressions: the smile.

:)

Well said!

Unfortunately here in Fargo - I am assuming the smiles are still hidden by face masks - countering the wet and the cold. Heres hoping that spring comes soon and the smiles are clearly present.

Then why teen punks feel the need to yell obsenities and throw things at me. All I'm doing is getting a smile, helping the enviroment and myself, both physical and mental, and trying to set an example for others to follow.

God forgive me for my evil thoughts!! I'm always on the look out for the cars and trucks that transport the shouters of filth and slingers of trash. For you see, I don't always ride a bike, o no, sometimes I travel in my little pickup truck to the parking lots of stores. I don't have on my bike riding cloths or helment,but I do have my KEYS. You see keys can be used for more than "starting the car". OOOOOO make the pounding in my head stop!! Give me back my smile.:fight:

Wow I feel better now!:angel:

Originally posted by uciflylow
Then why teen punks feel the need to yell obsenities and throw things at me. All I'm doing is getting a smile, helping the enviroment and myself, both physical and mental, and trying to set an example for others to follow.

Jealousy is a curse...

:) :thumbup: Very nice Pete Clark,That gives new meaning to the word cyclist.

Well said Pete!

Guess thats why they call it the "rat race"

You know, 9 till 5 job.
2.3 children.
Wash the car Sunday morning.
visit the inlaws twice a week.

Yawnnnnn.........

Is`nt it great to opt out of the "sheep mentality".

One of the greatest pleasures i derive from cycling, is seeing all the glum faces staring out over their steering wheels.
Me, I just stare back with the biggest cheesey grin I can muster.
I always hope this makes them as "mad as hell"

Originally posted by willic
Well said Pete!

Guess thats why they call it the "rat race"

You know, 9 till 5 job.
2.3 children.
Wash the car Sunday morning.
visit the inlaws twice a week.



Life was peachy, but that .3 child is a pain in the neck, its .3 self always in the way, complaining, "where's my other .7..."

Originally posted by Pete Clark
still wearing that most puzzling of human expressions: the smile.:)

The Wicked Witch of the West smiled and even laughed while she rode too and we all know what happend to her in the end.............

Just be careful people.

Originally posted by willic
Well said Pete!

Guess thats why they call it the "rat race"



I read somewhere else that "even if you win the race you still are a rat". :)

Pete.
A most beautiful piece of prose.
In our city there are not too many 'happy drivers'. In a few words you have expressed the serenity of the bicycle commuter. I can only imagine how much more fulfilling your life must be than the SUV driver stuck on the freeway.
My only sadness is that some of your respondents did not understand your message.
We live in hope.

Allan.

Pete, I just got back from making my first dry run to work and back, I'm off today. You should have seen the looks on my coworkers faces when I showed up to fill up my water bottle. I told them about the dry run and they think it's great!:)
Sorry about that pesamistic last post, you'r right, the ride does make us happier.

Originally posted by stokell
My only sadness is that some of your respondents did not understand your message.

For Stokell:

I really enjoyed your post, Pete.:D

You said it again, Pete!:D

The Happy Cyclist has forgotten the cardinal rule of life: "He who dies with the most stuff wins". The HC may think he is happy, but his life is in reality a yawning car-shaped hole of emptyness.

Originally posted by MichaelW
The Happy Cyclist has forgotten the cardinal rule of life: "He who dies with the most stuff wins". The HC may think he is happy, but his life is in reality a yawning car-shaped hole of emptyness.
"...take another little piece of my heart now, baby..."

He who dies with the most stuff wins".

"He who dies with the most stuff is still dead"