gorilla photo by guest blogger Niklas Vollmer
I recently lashed this beast to my bike handlebars to recognize nine months of being without a car. I once chose to bike across the country alone and it was an incredible experience (my sister and dad made the transcontinental trek a few years later) -- yet, it was immediately humbling to find myself carless with a child (11-year old T--lad) in this economy, and I hadn’t done much Atlanta city cycling. So far, I have chosen urban cycling over accumulating more debt after my car died prematurely. I am thrilled to tear up auto insurance offers that come by mail, peddle by gas stations and car repair shops, park for free, avoid sitting in traffic, and smile and nod at other cyclists along the way. When I was a kid, my favorite things were my bikes. I rode a yellow 10-speed I purchased with my paper route earnings everywhere. Cycling again reminds me what it was like as a kid peddling and babbling along next to your buddies (side by side biking is legal in most scenarios); I also learned that cars are not very social environments –– and covet the people I meet and the additional conversations with T –– lad as we explore the city. It can be slow-going and less convenient to bike, walk, or cobble together public transportation routes (three buses to a soccer game) –– yet, T--lad and I are a team, trying to figure it out together. We still grumble sometimes, are a bit more regional, and cannot do it all; these constraints make us more intentional and resourceful –– and physically active and fit. I thank fab T--lad for being game, and also appreciate the occasional loaner car or ride offer from friends (biking to the drive-in is no fun). A number of folks keep asking when I'm going to buy a car –– and, as a university professor with an inverted salary, I don't have an answer as carlessness saves me hundreds of dollars a month and I am not sure I can afford a car for a number of other reasons. I also feel good about lessening city congestion and environmental impact –– and have recently added a nifty bike trailer to port heavier loads. As urban crowd–sourced auto sharing groups arise, who knows. Craigslist is full of bike deals and there are terrific bike sales right now. If you haven’t done so already, go getcher self one. As cycling grows in Atlanta, support your local bike advocacy groups to boot!
Niklas Vollmer
The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition has chosen the popular coffee bar and boutique at 501 Edgewood Avenue for its December gathering. Stop by Chrome Yellow Trading Company between 7 and 9 am to catch up with friends who prefer pedal power in a city renown for motor traffic.
There are no chocolate croissants quite like those baked at Alon's, site of Thursday's Bike Commuter Breakfast. The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition has chosen the popular Morningside café for its November gathering. Stop by between 7 and 9 am to catch up with friends who prefer pedal power in a city renown for motor traffic. Rsvp on Facebook.
By expending little more effort than walking, cyclists pedal faster than they can run. Wafting on such a breeze feels like flying.
Kaylinn Gilstrap is one of those rare human beings who are equally at home on either side of a camera. Here is a link to her website.
It seems the rains have taken a holiday in honor of our annual Seersucker Social. After gathering at The Spindle around one o'clock, riders will depart for a leisurely city tour at two o'clock. As ever, their destination will be Oakland Cemetery for a picnic by the sleeping lion. See you there!
My thoughts turn this soggy Friday morning to a balmy afternoon of one month ago, when a merry band of cyclists paused for King Of Pops. Take heart: our weekend forecast is cool, dry and sunny: an ideal climate for the Terminus 5C and Sunday In The Park.
Oakland Cemetery provided the setting for both images. Its gardens, architecture and history are ever an inspiration. Tomorrow the ladies of Heels On Wheels have chosen that Victorian park for their ride's destination. Say the organizers, "This ride is a no spandex ride - and yes, some of us really do wear our heels." If you fancy such company, meet them in Woodruff Park at 9:45am. More information and rsvp may be found on facebook.
Four years of Seersucker Social rides give us this retrospective in anticipation of tomorrow's ride. Following a noon gathering at The Spindle (PATH at Boulevard facing John Wesley Dobbs), cyclists will embark upon an afternoon city tour that concludes with a picnic at Oakland Cemetery. RSVP via facebook and see you there!
We eighty cyclists made merry on Saturday afternoon. Our infectious spirit was seen and heard from Old Fourth Ward to Oakland Cemetery. At the picnic, Justin recalled meeting Nikki at the very first Seersucker Social four years ago and offered her a token of his affection. She said yes.
