i doubt that anyone would take time to read this, but because i got a friendly auto-response encouraging me to do so, i thought i'd give it a go.

i'm a grad student at ucla in the urban planning department. i've had a long fascination with cycling and the culture around it, and now i find myself teetering on the edge of joining. i also have a strong distaste for cars and for the american community that has been built to cater to their economically and environmentally (and community-wise) unfriendly ways.

i decided that the last thing academia (and the rest of the real world) needs is another hypocrite, someone advocating a lifestyle without actually doing it. so i'm attempting to do it. i just bought a bike, (fuji track '06, 61cm) as i'm somewhat charmed by the simplicity and aesthetics of the fixed gear. i'm putting my car up for sale as soon as i pick up my bike. i'm really looking forward to learning a lot from your experiences. thanks.

i'll probably lurk here for a while until i feel prompted to act otherwise. i'd love to hear from you if you are so inclined.