We like to try to keep things positive here at A Dude Abikes. And by we, I mean me. There is plenty of negativity in the news these days, what with that “You Crane” issue. (At least it’s not a Me Crane.) And sure, I gripe about my fitness level or other health issues, loss of my lighter bike Sookie, and so on. Don’t get me wrong: The rides are all great events and causes which I still support. Make no mistake, my credentials are well-established. I’ve done six rides (three breast cancers, two AIDS and one MS) – and raised over $12,000 in the process. So forgive me if in this post if I get into a wee bit of real-ness about charity bike rides. I think the few people who actually read this can handle some truth, even if it’s a tad uncomfortable.
Continue readingThis Blog Post Is Tardy. Because, Fatigue.
I began writing this blog last night. But I just finished working a job that was thoroughly exhausting physically, mentally taxing, and emotionally stressful. I worked 400 hours in 11 weeks, driving over 2,700 miles in the process, enduring the hottest September on record, and numerous other challenges I won’t even get into. So yeah, I’m pretty bushed, and being late on a blog post is ok. Hopefully you’re not too tired to keep reading.
REAd moreCommerce and Creativity: The Struggle is Real
Arriving home, I caught a new article on Wired, “Jack Conte, Patreon, and the Plight of the Creative Class.” Earlier this year, I heard Jack’s talk at South by Southwest, a sort of origin story cum sales pitch. Many of us would love to get paid for blogging, and I’d love to get paid for editing and publishing my book in progress. Yet the struggle between having to work a job and pay the bills is one that’s been going on for a long time. Ever since the first caveperson started drawing on the walls instead of hunting, I would imagine. How to be creative in whatever your endeavor(s) may be keep a roof over your head and food on the table is an ongoing issue. Spoiler alert: I won’t solve it here today. But maybe you’ll relate to some of my thoughts and have some comments.
Continue readingPoem: Word to Your Mother (Earth)
After my recent post Autumn Is Here But It’s Still Hot: Thanks Climate Change! and being out in the countryside a lot lately, and also hearing a poet read at One Page Salon, I thought I’d try something a little different. Here’s a poem for our planet.
Continue readingGetting Back on the Bike After a Break: It’s Like Riding a You Know What
After the last month and more of too much work and especially of driving a car, I finally managed a day off. Fortunately, on Sunday nights there’s a group bike ride called Bike Curious, about which I’ve previously written. The ride itself is usually pretty mellow, but in this case we had a substitute leader who picked some roads that were a little dicey, hilly and sandy. Still, overall the streets flat and familiar and the pace was slow. It was a good way to ease back into biking. Today I’m a little sore and tired, but the hardest part was actually just getting myself out the door. If you’ve ever been in this situation you will relate to this post.
Continue readingWriters Block: Real or an Excuse?
You’re staring at a blank screen. The cursor blinks at you, tauntingly. Thoughts scurry across your mind like (insert whatever scurrying thing comes to mind here). Nothing seems good enough to press publish, interesting or worth writing about. Yet, you have a deadline, external or self-imposed. It’s time to blog and nothing comes to mind that is blog-worthy. What do you do?
Continue readingAutumn Is Here-ish, but It’s Still Hot. Thanks Alot, Climate Change!
I just heard that September in Central Texas was HOTTER than July. That’s nuts. You know what else is nuts? A Dude Abikes not riding his bike most every day, and in fact, hardly at all. But because I’m working my tuchus off so I don’t have the time or energy to bike, the silver lining is that I’m avoiding having to bike in the ongoing heat wave. However, the downside of not biking is weight gain, feeling blah, and as if I’m cheating — which I am. Because, work.
Meanwhile, Greta Thunberg, the 16-year old Swede who has become the face of the climate change movement was in the US for a speech and the climate strike. I haven’t read much but what I have is impressive. And by the way, I know one thing that can help: ride your damn bikes, everybody! Of course you could say it’s hypocritical of me driving a car for work for eight weeks, and you’d be right. But I’ve done plenty of miles (20,000 and counting) and will do plenty more soon enough.
Continue readingComo Usar el Arte de la Siesta para Mejorar Tu Ciclismo
El sueño es algo universal que comparten todos los animales, al menos los mamíferos. Muchos mamíferos toman siestas, incluidos los humanos, pero tenemos la capacidad de elegir dormir en cualquier momento que queramos. En este detalle, tenemos mucha suerte de tener esta habilidad. En estos días de una epidemia de falta de sueño, la siesta es la respuesta perfecta para restablecer su estado de salud. Claro, con mas descanso, puedes viajar por bici mas fuerte y rapido. ¿Y quien no quiere eso? Exactamente nadie.
Read moreShoal Creek Bike Lanes: Wheels Are in Motion
The Austin Transportation Department has made good on plans to enhance bike lanes on Shoal Creek Boulevard. This may not be earth-shattering news considering how the US — currently led by a sociopathic, deranged lunatic — may go to war with Iran at any moment over bombing Saudi Arabian oil production facilities. We may not be able to do much about that, but riding one’s bicycle down a safer street with a protected bike lane reduces dependency on those polluting, (ex)pensive petroleum products that seem to bring out the bellicosity in people. Let’s focus on the good news about the bike lanes, shall we?
Continue readingBicycling Magazine’s Article: “I’m a Fat Cyclist—And I Don’t Need to “Fix” My Body”
I just saw this September 13, 2019 article in Bicycling magazine by Kailey Kornhauser. Since I routinely refer to myself as a fathlete, I couldn’t pass on sharing and commenting. Subtitled “My weight doesn’t need to change. But the bike world’s attitude toward me does,” I think she nails the point home that overweight people can and do ride bikes and deserve respect. She puts the fat-shamers in the bicycling world on notice that their discriminatory views are harmful, outdated, unacceptable, and actually damaging to the sport. A Dude has dealt with plenty of unspoken and spoken anti-fat discrimination, so it’s high time this issue gets the attention it’s due. Let’s talk about it.
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