Getting around in a cage was no walk in the park before Katrina. It's definitely gotten worse. A lot of traffic lights are still out, and we have a lot of people concentrated in certain parts of the city.

Riding is somewhat better, though. Fewer cars on the side roads, albeit more construction debris. I have had three or four tire punctures since returning in early October. (Also patched three punctures in tires from the girlfriend's car.)

There are a lot of new bicyclists now, thanks to Plan B (http://planb.bikeproject.org/).

One of the most interesting things about the post-Katrina landscape is that there are nice bikes being thrown out right and left as flooded houses are gutted. I have salvaged a few parts for my own evil purposes, and a friend of mine rescued an old Raleigh Sports three-speed that we are restoring.

I prefer riding fixed in the city. It's flat. But I also put a lot of miles on, ahem, geared bikes.

But I digress.