Rode my backup bike to work just for the heck of it today. At this point my backup bike is a 1973 Schwinn Varsity townie that weighs about 40 lb. before adding the Wald rear baskets. I ran about 1.5 mph slower on the Varsity, maybe an extra 20 minutes on the commute. Still, it was nice. The upright riding position is relaxed and comfortable and when you're that relaxed you just don't feel like you need to rush.

I wanted to ride something more unique than my mid-90s commuter hybrid today because after work I plan to take part in the Critical Mass ride. Now I just hope the thunderstorms hold off (or alternately that they hit early in the afternoon and move on).

As far as car-free days go: Some guy started a Car Free Fridays FW facebook page, so at least as far as he is concerned every Friday is car-free. It was a combination of that facebook page and the one for Fort Worth Critical Mass that encouraged me to ride today, in spite of the predicted thunderstorms. I'm sure they'll tweet me in my hospital bed if I get struck by lightning.