The West Side

Time for a little reflection.  We talk a lot about cycling, and the rights of cyclists to have safe places to ride. It's easy to get impatient. Things don't move quickly enough. We aren't as progressive as (fill in the blank) city. I prefer to think about how far we've come.  I think about Richard Vonnegut, who has been beating the drum for bicycle advocacy as long as I can remember. He's someone that, as far as I'm concerned, doesn't get the recognition he deserves. I think about Diana Virgil, who has been plowing through the mountains of red tape surrounding the B&O Rail Corridor project-seemingly forever. Whatever progress we've seen recently has come from people like them working for years in darkness. I get a feeling of great hope when I see a group like IndyCog spring up, and accomplish so much. There are others, to be sure. Bicycle Indiana , and CIBA  just to name two.  People who love to ride bikes should feel a great sense ...

Saturday was a beautiful day in Indianapolis.  Sunny, but cool....perfect weather to be covered in..... tweed ! About 90 people showed up for this second annual ride.  Indy Cog, the event promoter, said it was over twice the number from the year before. This was our first tweed ride, and it won't be our last.  The group ranged from folks just wanting to get out on a nice Saturday afternoon, to people truly dedicated to the tweed.  Bikes ranged from geared mountain bikes, to a high wheeler.  All were welcome, and everyone had a great time. I have to admit, I enjoyed trying to dress the part.  I've been preaching for the last year that you can (and should) be able to ride in "normal" clothes.  It is absolutely possible, and for me it makes riding even more enjoyable. The pictures from the ride say more than I ever could.  The few photos I took are here.  You can also view Indy Cog's photos here .  If you would like to know mo...