Positive Spin

Lake Wobegon Trail News

2011-02-07T15:06:00.001-06:00

Lake Wobegon Trail Extension
Thanks to the non-stop efforts of Chuck and Pete from Stearns County Parks, it looks like the Wobegon Trail is finally on the agenda and will get completed soon. Not sure how soon, but soon. Here is an excerpt from the SC Times:

Stearns County could join national trails trend with a proposed extension

By Kirsti Marohn • kmarohn@stcloudtimes.com• February 4, 2011

The Lake Wobegon Regional Trail already covers 62 miles of Stearns County, giving bicyclists, walkers and snowmobilers a traffic-free route from Osakis to St. Joseph.

But there’s a critical missing piece, a 7-mile stretch from St. Joseph to the St. Cloud metro area, that many — including Stearns County parks director Chuck Wocken — would love to see completed. Wocken is hoping to jump-start efforts to finish those last seven miles, nicknamed the “Saintly Seven.” He hopes to take advantage of a transportation corridor that already links the two cities: an active railroad line.

“Rails with trails” projects — where a recreational trail runs adjacent to a railroad — are becoming increasingly popular across the United States. Although they sometimes raise questions of safety, advocates say there is no evidence of an increase in accidents or trespassing along such trails.

Extending the Lake Wobegon Trail into St. Cloud would provide 135 miles of continuous separated blacktop trail, the longest in Minnesota and possibly in the nation, Wocken said. It also would give urban St. Cloud residents a connection to the outdoors, he said.

The project has the support of the St. Cloud Area Planning Organization’s bike/pedestrian advisory committee. “It incorporates so many cities together and it just would benefit everyone economically,” said Michelle
Musser, a planner with the APO. “What I hear most is that’s the biggest project that people want in the area.”

More From David Nord

2010-05-23T15:34:00.001-05:00

Here are my latest thoughts about riding roads with the minor frustrations, and sometimes major ones from dangers encountered. Writing with a humorous twist allows us to make biking all the more enjoyable. Its content is universal to all who seriously train. Use it if you want, and if not, enjoy it for yourself.

Perils of a Safari Peloton
By David W. Nord

As with all aspects of life, we must deal with disappointment or disaster, re-energize, and move forward. If one does not wish to spin in one place, he or she must re-engage gears of purpose, learning to move from frustration to facilitation, to explore one’s inner roads of meaning. This writing provides us with a practical lesson in levity, which lightens one’s load.

From the moment you click into your pedals to the moment you peel off your gloves, road hazards perceive the instinctive provocations far-off, and are ready to champion their turf to take you out. Whether you are tired of leg or Armstrong, all of us are prone to pavement pummeling, and all of us are equalized on flats (of tires that is). Take for example, the perilous mailbox. Our mundane thoughts only resign them to being Uncle Sam’s benign servants for bills and blessings. Yet, in our road warrior mentality, we see through the disguise of their inconspicuous demeanor.

In reality, mailboxes are predators, not the spectator fans we had hoped would line our Tour de Ditch. They hold their armored, rhino heads high into downwind biker scents, anticipating instinctive collision. They are keenly aware of our approach, even for lack of good eyesight. Jaws open and jaws shut matter-of-factly, chewing the cud of private and public pulp. Metal skin quivers both flies and fears to flight. Notorious for being in aphrodisiac demand, they delight in territorial defense. They stamp a single foot and wave the red flag horn, warning encroachers from a distance. Lead cyclists always rightly point them out, as wildlife guides on a safari peloton. Though their metal mouths are toothless, mailbox mandibles are capable of gashing a biker’s forearm, and impervious heads are proficient in butting the unaware to the ground. A helmet slightly down tipped, or a shoulder sideways swayed signal weakness to their beady eyes. Thud! Skirmish over; the rhino-box takes to munching grass again at its stone-toed foot. As a bystander, one might notice the lightning bite or the imperceptible lunge if caught on motion-capture cameras. Bandaged or bruised without and within, we struggle again to stand upon the feet of dignity beside a derailed chain of intent.

Are you skeptical that we are both hunter and prey on every ride, on every road? There are indeed many dangers lurking on our random expeditions. Most roadways seem innocent on approach, and the dangers are difficult to detect, until it is too late. Venomous asphalt bites at tires in innumerable ways, draining the life from their rubber lungs. Glistening teeth of paranha-glass dart about in the open shallows of mirage hot tar, tearing at anything intrepid. Indigenous potholes evade swerving riders, reverberating rims with impartial, snapping mouths. Wire-wasps pulse with fiery barbs near entrances to underground spool-hives, for a chance to defend the wire-haired queen. Chisel-barbed, nail-bugs scurry erratically, experts in the art of acupuncture. Meandering sloth-stones inadvertently migrate into wheel’s trajectories over the duration of weeks, to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. They are as dumb as, well…as dumb as rocks. Not far down the road, a punctured tire staggers in nausea and exhales its last breath with a rider’s shout of “Flat”! Everyone comes to an apprehensive stop in the eerie silence when a predator stalks, fingers cautiously exploring the circumferences of tires for evidences of teeth or claw marks.

I once witnessed a rabid, fluorescent-orange highway construction sign suddenly consume a distracted recumbent rider in a thunderous gulp! And when the rider’s cloud of delirium dissipated, our laughter echoed throughout the farmland for miles. And I freely admit to my own preoccupation while riding, in having fallen fifty feet from a mountain cliff in the Andes. I had not perceived the brown-throated erosion crouching at road’s edge, which had lain in wait for years to feed. Harrowing landslides across mountain bike trails have swept all but faith down their gravel slopes off precipices. I rejected the thoughts to turn back, but they did cross my mind more easily than I navigated the cascading sea of sand. Another bump in the road laid a repulsive bloated horse partially blocking passage beside a five hundred foot drop. That encounter called upon technical riding skills to avoid exchanging mounts. My armpits didn’t smell so bad after that ride. We all as roadies and off-roadies are subjected to, or pick our own punishment in pursuit of the peace, which cycling provides. It is therein that the tradeoff is equitable in truly living.

Some species of risk are themselves endangered by street sweepers, tar trucks, pest control services, scavengers and do-gooders. But please don’t establish a Save The Sloth-Stone Foundation anytime soon; rendering road shoulders protected game preserves, and cycling illegal. Circumnavigate these perils, if you can, and resist being the squeaky wheel at your local County Public Works authority. And at all costs, avoid being victimized by the horn-harassing, bumper-bullying, mechanical-grillas driven by Neanderthals of a different club. Of those I know all too well. It’s a jungle out there, so follow the path of wisdom by Robert Frost in the last line from his poem entitled, The Road Not Taken. “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

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Cycling Inspires

2010-04-16T09:31:00.002-05:00

Ahh, alone on your bike, at peace, as one with nature. Wouldn't it be grand if you could put those thoughts down on paper? David Nord can and did ...

Another day, another ride. Blustery, I should say! The first 26 miles of 45 were into the fist of the wind, cheeks slanted to the task and shoulders bowed. Someone through the centuries should have planted more trees or plowed much less I believe. I thought county roads were void of monolithic vehicles. A gigantic, four rear-wheeled tractor craned upon the burdened back of a semi truck's flatbed, furrowed highway sand in its wake, unimpeded in its lateral avoidance of a stick man on a stick bike. Its massive secondary treads somehow levitated over tar, past the groaning steel platform sides, the tractor stretching wide its one and a half lane domination. I celebrated the truck driver's navigation courtesy after the fact of his passing.

Wind. Wind. Wind. I am a son of the most high! Stand up! Reach out! "Be still!" I shouted. Gust. Gust. Gust. The white highway shoulder stripe had whitecaps, as do lakes. The highway's yellow center stripes were caught on barbed wire fences and tattered on occasional tree branches past the ditches to my right. Their presence or absence would not have mattered to the obesity of the tractor transport anyway. Even fair and undulating farmland in its graceful serpentine motion seemed blown in obedience across the plains.

Finally arriving at the Blackbird Marsh Airport, I taxied onto the homebound runway to flow like silver mercury into the ground level jet stream, just as cliff jumpers freely leap into the allure of gravity. I had barely to cooperate as flattened black carpet ushered my crowning and my allegiance to twenty five and thirty five miles per hour, mile after mile after mile. Fatigue still lingered in my legs, my quads "hulkified", suggesting some grotesque apportionment to my already non-biker frame, which somehow would become permanent. But oh to glide with air between tire and tar, when velocity matches velocity, and nature's sounds again are heard in the slippery silence of unopposed speed."

David W. Nord

Good News From The U S DOT

2010-03-22T18:46:00.002-05:00

The following is an announcement from the U S Department of Transportation. As an introduction, almost every dollar that is spent on transportation infrastructure comes from the U S DOT. It would be sweeter still if there is a link between the receipt of DOT money and proposals for bike/ped facilities. Maybe then we will get the Lake Woebegon Trail finished.

On Monday, March 15th, US DOT Secretary Ray LaHood announced a new “complete streets” policy that would put planning for bicycling and pedestrians on equal footing with highways and transit. In his blog, Secretary LaHood states that “this is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.”

He goes on to say:

“We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:

· Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.

· Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.

· Go beyond minimum design standards.

· Collect data on walking and biking trips.

· Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.

· Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)

· Improve nonmotorized facilities during maintenance projects”.

The new US DOT Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations are posted on FHWA’s website.

Is it Summer Yet?

2010-01-30T17:16:00.002-06:00

We all know that there is plenty of winter left, but the vast majority of people coming into the store are shopping for bikes!

Anyhow, snow is forecast for Monday. So, take advantage of all of the incredible bargains in the shop and get outside!

Crass Commercialism!

2010-01-21T10:32:00.002-06:00

SO WHAT!

Just in case you haven't heard, we're having an early season clearance sale! Savings from 30 to 50% on ski equipment and clothing. BUT WAIT! if you call in the next 10 minutes, we'll double the offer - WAIT! I'm suffering from media confusion ... we'd really like to throw in the free back scratcher and the premium quality terry cloth bath robe but alas, this is not an infomercial it's an honest to goodness bike/ski shop and we wanted you all to know that there are some real bargains to be had.

Hope to see you real soon.

Good Bye 2009!

2010-01-03T14:38:00.002-06:00

Thanks to everyone for helping to make 2009 another good year at Revolution Cycle and Ski. I wish we could say that the economic slowdown had no effect but, all things considered, we're happy. Let's all hope that 2010 brings as much happiness and good health as possible to everyone.

As for us, we're adding Cervelo to our line up of bicycles and we are really looking forward to supporting some new bike racers and the new Duathlon/Triathlon team, DuTri St. Cloud.

Good luck to one and all during 2010!

Local XC Trails are Groomed

2009-12-17T14:34:00.002-06:00

This is some of the new grooming equipment that Stearns County is using to keep the trails in Quarry Park in great shape. Note the reverse plow on the front which is used when there is minimal snow. Pretty nifty!

It's Winter!

2009-12-10T11:15:00.001-06:00

Don't have much to say except BURRR ... I like the picture though!

Snow's in the Forecast

2009-12-07T14:42:00.002-06:00

Real winter is coming ... if the forecast is correct, we'll wake up Wednesday morning to a few inches of new snow! YEA! We hope that everyone is ready to get out and enjoy the snow. If not though, let this serve as a reminder that we've got lots of Cross Country skis, clothing and equipment in stock and ready to custom fit to you. We also have Easton Artica snowshoes. Hope to see you soon.

Stuff This!

2009-11-26T13:49:00.003-06:00

Excuse me? Beginning Friday, November 27 and ending Sunday November 29, Revolution Cycle and Ski is having its annual STOCKING STUFFER SALE. Anything that you can cram into one of our Christmas stockings will be reduced by an incredible 30%. That's right, 30%! Remember, we carry Smart Wool Socks and tons of cycling, triathlon and skiing accessories - like wax - that will easily fit into the stocking.

Hope to see you.

Tour de Turkey

2009-11-19T16:05:00.002-06:00

Weather permitting, the shop is hosting a nice friendly road ride on Thanksgiving morning. Early, like 7:30. This allows everyone to get home in time to start eating. It also permits you all to be in a nice caloric deficit so that you'll be able to eat more. We're thinking no more than two hours and a pace in the neighborhood of 16 to 17 miles per hour. Hope to see you then! Tell your friends!

Milestone

2009-11-01T10:05:00.002-06:00

Revolution Cycle and Ski opened its doors for the first time on November 1, 2006 ... three years ago today. We can all celebrate by doing a snow dance!

Get Ready For Ski Season

2009-10-17T13:05:00.002-05:00

There it is folks, our ski wall. There are still plenty of bikes in the shop and plenty of days left on which to ride but we have, pretty much, segued into ski mode. So come on in and check out the new stuff from Rossignol, Atomic, Easton, OneWay, Craft, Sporthill and everyone else.

Back To School Sale!

2009-08-16T09:39:00.003-05:00

It's that time of year folks ... it's time for the Revolution Cycle and Ski annual Progressive Sale! Beginning tomorrow, Monday August 17, all in stock bicycles will be reduced by 10%! BUT WAIT! beginning with each successive week, e.g., Monday the 24th, the 31st and September 7th, we will add an additional 5% reduction to our already low prices. That's right, if a bicycle has not been sold by the start of the fourth week, then it will be marked down an incredible 25%. There will also be in-store specials announced each day (or so) on clothing and accessories that will also save you tons of money.
DON'T MISS THIS OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE BIG BUCKS!

ANNIVERSARY SALE!

2009-06-03T16:51:00.002-05:00

Hey Everyone, Revolution is having it's Anniversary Sale! Pretty good deals, e.g., clothing at up to 70% off! HOLY SMOKES!

How about this little beauty at $700 off of it's retail price - These prices are insane!

Where's Mike?

2009-05-30T11:20:00.001-05:00

Is he behind the camera?

Ride as Celebration

2009-05-30T11:15:00.003-05:00

That's Darren and Kim who just got engaged!
We all took a ride to celebrate the happy moment.

A Tiny Reward

2009-05-12T13:04:00.001-05:00

of riding your bike, for me at least, happens when the kids wave. They always smile and yell their greetings. Just one of the many joys of riding a bike!

2009-02-15T14:42:00.003-06:00

Forget Skiing! I know that there will be more snow, but it's been such a long Winter, that we all need a little Spring. What better way than treat yourself to a new bike? Think about it, we can put you on this little beauty for a paltry $10,000 ... or so ...

Should Have Snow Pics

2008-12-24T14:57:00.002-06:00

But, I forgot the camera ... again.

So, get out and SKI!

Most of all, thanks to one and all for your support during the past year. 2009 is not going to start off on a positive economic note, but should improve as we move forward, so there is no excuse for not getting new skis and, of course, a new bike. So, we'll see you in the shop real soon!

Let it Snow!

2008-12-06T17:17:00.000-06:00

PLEASE???

Winter Riding

2008-11-20T16:43:00.003-06:00

I know that it's ski season, but there are still plenty of people riding their bikes. Some commuters and some mountain bikers and some die hard road bikers. It's awesome to see people braving the weather to ride. For those who disdain cold weather though, like me, there is the trainer. The picture is my bike on my trainer in my living room. I watch movies and peddle away. Today, I watched L. A. Confidential ... great movie.

What's the forecast?

It's Snowing!

2008-11-11T09:12:00.001-06:00

Look out the window ...

This Saturday is Nordic Skiing Team Day @ Revolution. We'll be joined by representatives of Rossignol and Atomic. There will be wax clinics and refreshments will be served. We'll throw in free ski straps, a water bottle, a scraper and give you 30% off any ski bag with the purchase or lease of skis. In addition, you get an extra 5%, for a total 20% off clothing, gloves, hats & etc. and there will be drawings for prizes.

It's Cross Country Ski Season

2008-10-29T09:06:00.002-05:00

Just think, if we lived in Syracuse, NY we'd be up to our armpits in snow! Not only that, less than 100 miles from the site of the World Series, there's a foot of snow on the ground!

Pretty soon! Better hurry and get geared up.

Team Night is now Team Day ... Saturday November 15, 2008. Wax Clinics, Rossignol and Atomic Representatives and special deals. Don't miss it!

It's Patriotic - Ride A Bike!

2008-10-15T09:30:00.002-05:00

I'm always going on about how important it is to ride a bike. Well, guess what, this poster was sent to me by none other than W him self! How do ya like them apples?

Save A Varmint

2008-10-14T11:02:00.002-05:00

I was just looking at the International Bicycling Fund's web site, the link is: http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/benefits.htm fifty plus reasons to ride a bike. Towards the bottom is an interesting topic to think about. To wit, if we all rode and stopped driving, there would be no more killing of innocent varmints, defined as an objectionable animal or person. Just think, each of us could have a deer and a possum and a squirrel and a skunk (my personal favorite) and a garter snake ... the list just goes on ...

Anyhow, just one of the many reasons to ride. Get rid of that car!

BUY A NEW BIKE!

2008-10-11T17:21:00.002-05:00

Stimulate the economy, buy a new bike! It's patriotic. How about one like this?

Get Out and Ride!

2008-10-08T10:31:00.002-05:00

It'll make you feel better. Why, I'd be willing to bet, that if everyone in the USofA rode their bikes today, that the whole financial crisis would be solved - it's just that simple, or is it?

The Last Four Months

2008-09-10T09:29:00.002-05:00

Golly, I forgot that you're supposed to blog every day ... sorry. Anyhow, I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that nobody reads this blog anyhow. Just in case though, here is an update on what has been happening, from the Revolution perspective, in the local bicycling scene since my last post.

Most importantly, the people of greater St. Cloud have begun to find the shop. As has been the case for some time, these are savvy shoppers with an eye for a bargain. We have really been encouraged however, by the number of bike buyers that have gone to all of the other shops in town and then come back to ours to make their purchase. We can't say this enough, thanks to all of our clients that have recommended us to friends ... we really appreciate very much.

Next, is an interesting phenomena that has occurred since the beginning of July. That is, when gasoline was at $4.00 per gallon, we were as busy as a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest. Now that gas has dropped back to $3.50, sales have slowed a bit. My guess is, that reliance on the automobile is so much a part of the American psyche, that a fall from July's gas price levels is considered a positive and has granted "permission" to drivers to get back in the car. Nationally though, bike sales are up and the prospect for a continuation is relatively high. Let's hope that bike sales are, in fact, counter-cyclical.

Speaking of bike sales, I wonder just how far Trek had to go to get Lance back on his bike. I would never criticise lance Armstrong for anything. In my mind, the man is a genuine hero. What he has done, on and off the bike, e.g., raising cancer awareness, sets a paradigm for all of us to aspire to. Not only that, but his success at the Tour is the single most important element in the popularity of road cycling in this country. It is my fervent hope therefore, that Lance does not end up like many retired athletes when they grasp at a come-back.

Anyhow, back to the shop. Winter will soon be upon us and that means that it is almost Cross Country skiing season. I really wish that we'd get some big rain between now and the freeze. We need water in the ground to create snow conditions in the atmosphere. More snow means more sales but ... let's face it though, everybody has fun in the snow!

Let it snow!

Er, The Nice Weather is Here?

2008-05-06T15:33:00.002-05:00

Since my last post, we've had three snow storms ... it would be most unfortunate if all my predictions were as accurate. NO MORE ABOUT THE WEATHER!

Have you all been riding to work? After the snow and the cold and the flu, I've finally gotten back on my bike. It's simply the best way to get to work that there is. We put a ride versus drive cost calculator on the Revolution Home page - http://revolutioncycleandski.com - at these prices, you can afford a new bike REAL fast. That's only the half of it though. There's the whole freedom thing and the knowledge that you're not contributing to the whole global warming thing and the whole carbon footprint thing and a few more that I can't think of off of the top of my head. The real point is, it's a whole lot better to ride a bike than to drive a car no matter what! So get out there and ride. Thank you.

Spin Into Spring

2008-03-06T11:30:00.002-06:00

Whew, this has been a VERY long winter. I know, it's only March 6 and this is Minnesota and it is going to be negative 10 degrees tonight but, hope springs eternal and the nice weather is right around the corner. Why, it was light at 6:20 last night.

What all this means, is that it is time to get back on your bike. Time to be out on the road or the trail and simply enjoying the extraordinary realization that a bicycle is THE most amazing machine on Earth ... period! A few years ago, Scientific American did an article in which it was stated that the bicycle is the most efficient means of locomotion. This is abundantly obvious to any and all cyclists. Throw that road bike onto the big ring and get the old RPM's up ... amazing! What power! What speed! What puke ... ooh, I forgot to train this winter. Anyhow RIDE!

Write, What?

2008-02-17T15:36:00.002-06:00

It would seem, that there is more to this blogging than what one supposed when one took on the awesome responsibility of agreeing to keep the legions of Revolution Cycle and Ski fans entertained with a (daily) blog. Sorry for the U Tube stuff - it's easy and people under 30 really need to get into Monty Python. Their satire is as relavent today as it was 30 years ago - most of us need to be reminded not to take ourselves too seriously.

Here is a topic that we've been debating; does the bicycle industry have any (economic) counter cyclical properties? Huh? If you think about some of the factors that may depress consumer spending, such as the price of gasoline, what better way to counteract it than by riding a bike?

Let us know what you think.

Monty Python: Bicycle repairman!

2007-12-07T07:21:00.001-06:00

HEY! It's Nordic Ski Season

2007-12-04T08:09:00.001-06:00

The bicycle is SO important to our society, that it's sometimes easy to forget that Revolution Cycle and SKI has another business in the winter. That's right friends and neighbors, we're a Nordic Ski shop as well. This has started off as the best skiing winter in a very long time, so I'll be back to write more as the days go by. In the meantime though, here is a video that demonstrates the fun of citizen Cross Country ski racing:

Neglect

2007-11-03T14:32:00.000-05:00

SORRY, I've been negligent to the hords of eager readers of this blog.
As an apology, I offer the following from UTube. It's a pretty funny Monty Python skit called, "The Bicycle Repairman"

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eCdIe0wdvU

Efficient?

2007-10-06T16:23:00.000-05:00

Have I mentioned that the bicycle is the most efficient means of locomotion there is? This was told to me by a person who seemed to me, at the time, to be pretty credible - a scientific nerdy type who spoke with authority on esoterica. Anyhow, according to this person, a bicycle is more efficient than a Canada Goose. Now, the Canada Goose, like its cousin, the Grey Goose (not the vodka), flies for several thousand miles on its migration. By definition then, it has to be pretty efficient. But, one revolution of a bicycle crank - you pick the gear - propels the rider further than one flap of the goose's wings. Not only that, it takes less energy to turn the cranks than it does to flap the wings. Ergo, the bicycle is a more efficient means of locomotion. This is not to say that a rider is in better shape than a goose. Nor does it imply that a typical rider tastes better than a well cooked goose. It does however, pose some interesting questions related to the whole area of hunting. Now, shooting a goose while it's migrating is a pretty good trick on accounta their speed as fliers. Not only that, but the typical hunter looks like one, has a dog and carries a pretty big gun that tends to make quite a bit of noise. On the other hand, hunters that prefer cyclists tend to be much harder to spot. For one thing, they usually do not float around in a camouflage boat with a horn between their lips. Another thing seems to be that most tend towards blindness making it difficult to make eye contact. Another thing is that the weapon of choice is the automobile. (I'll apologize before I say what follows and I'll also apologize to the woman who almost got me this morning because I really didn't mean to call her a fucking douche bag and to insult her intelligence the way that I did. I must admit to a certain degree of sincerity at the time because it's hard to scream at the top of your voice and still be ignored but what the heck, we all act in haste some times, don't we? She's probably a wonderfully nice caring person but I can't understand why she is allowed to drive as a blind person. Hey, speaking of hunting dogs, do you suppose that you could train a dog to be a seeing eye driving dog? Arf means go left arf arf means go right arf arf arf means stop or variations on the theme depending on your own preferences, dog & etc. But I digress ...) We were discussing the weapon of choice (no, not the Fat Boy Slim song), the automobile - catchy name, no? auto as in automatic and mobile as in having mobility auto mobile automobile ... pretty damn good these cunning linguists. Ya know, it's hard to write something that actually has a beginning, a middle and an end. Like now, I can't come up with an end. So, I'll sign off with a wish - I wish that the automobile had never been invented. I wish that we all lived in cities and all rode bikes and were all civilized to each other and all carried spare tubes that we happily shared with people who got two flats on that day and that we were all as efficient at thinking as the bicycle is at locomotion.
See ya.

You Simply Can't Make This Stuff Up

2007-09-30T10:32:00.000-05:00

Who says that you can't learn anything doing crossword puzzles?
Next time you're out there on your bike, in search of a miracle, keep this handy reference in mind:
The Patron Saint of Cyclists is, The Madonna del Ghisallo
Also known as
Our Lady of Ghisallo; Madonna of Ghisallo
Profile
Medieval legend says that Count Ghisallo was travelling near the village of Magréglio when he was attacked by highway bandits. Spotting a image of the Virgin Mary in a roadside shrine, he broke away from his attackers and ran to it. There he took refuge, pled for Our Lady's protection - and was miraculously saved from the robbers.

As the story spread, the Madonna del Ghisallo became known as patroness of local travellers. In more recent times, cyclists would often stop to rest and pray at the chapel, which is a local landmark, and is at the top of a steep hill. After World War II, Father Ermelindo Vigano, pastor at the shrine, proposed Ghisallo as the site of an Italian shrine for bicyclists, and she was given as patroness of cyclists on 13 October 1949 by Pope Pius XII. The chapel has become equal part religious shrine, part cycling museum, with artifacts and photos from the sport. There is an eternal flame that burns there in memory of the cyclists of are no longer with us, and services each Christmas Eve and the Feast of All Souls commemorate them.

And all this time, I thought it was a helmet or an excuse for a pub crawl (tub ride). Say, can I get in trouble for posting something that some cynics may think irreverent?
Oh well ...

It's Hard To Spin Positively

2007-08-29T17:21:00.000-05:00

I Just had to place the ly on Positive above ... sorry.

Here's the reason for the negativity: some neanderthal, with his posse, tried to steal the nicest BMX bike we had in the store today. Fortunately for us, he never dreamed that Mike would catch him so easily. As we experience more negative stuff at the shop, it seems to solicit more negative stories related to people stealing, or attempting to steal bikes. So, why is that? Why is it that scum bags like the person in our store today, feel that they have a right to take somebodies bike?

Here is my true life story - I got my first real job at a bank in Boston. I had just gotten married and was still in school, so we were extremely conscious of spending on wasteful things, like cars. Anyhow, I bought a cheap 10-speed and commuted to work each day. I chained the bike to a pole. Within two weeks, it was gone. Ever the optimist, I went back and got another, at a cost of roughly one weeks net pay. The new bike lasted about three weeks, because the (not so sympathetic) Boston police advised me to leave it parked at a different spot each day. Anyhow, I bought a third ... it was gone in about two weeks and I was back on the subway.

I'd be willing to bet that, at the very least, we all know of or have had a bike stolen. We hear it almost every day. If it's not the whole bike, it's the saddle or a wheel or whichever part can be taken.

I doubt that the thieves are going to read this blog, but if you are, cut that shit out!

Bettcha He Drives a Hummer

2007-08-26T12:43:00.000-05:00

Ben sent me a link that I am compelled to share:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip8nozp7vs8
This is Patrick McHenry the US Congressional Representative from the 10th district in North Carolina.
This all seems a bit silly but, exerpted below is the paragraph from the Renewable Energy Act of 2007 that got rep. McHenry in a snit:
SEC. 205. EXTENSION OF TRANSPORTATION FRINGE BENEFIT TO
BICYCLE COMMUTERS.

(a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 132(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to general rule for qualified transportation fringe) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``(D) Any qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement.''.
(b) Limitation on Exclusion.--Paragraph (2) of section 32(f) of such Code is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (A), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting ``, and'', and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(C) the applicable annual limitation in the case of any qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement.''.
(c) Definitions.--Paragraph (5) of section 132(f) of such Code (relating to definitions) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(F) Definitions related to bicycle commuting
reimbursement.--
``(i) Qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement.--The term ‘qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement' means, with respect to any calendar year, any employer reimbursement during the 15-month period beginning with the first day of such calendar year for reasonable expenses incurred by the employee during such calendar year for the purchase of a bicycle and bicycle improvements, repair, and storage, if such bicycle is regularly used for travel between the employee's residence and place of employment.
``(ii) Applicable annual limitation.--The term `applicable annual limitation' means, with respect to any employee for any calendar year, the product of $20 multiplied by the number of qualified bicycle commuting months during such year.
``(iii) Qualified bicycle commuting month.--The term
`qualified bicycle commuting month' means, with respect to any employee, any month during which such employee-- ``(I) regularly uses the bicycle for a substantial portion of the travel between the employee's residence and place of employment, and
``(II) does not receive any benefit described in
subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1).''.

(d) Constructive Receipt of Benefit.--Paragraph (4) of section 132(f) is amended by inserting ``(other than a qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement)'' after
``qualified transportation fringe''.
(e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.
Now, you've all heard the term, "lawyer-speak", this is a fine example. It seems to me that perhaps, a better use of congressional time may be to suggest language more like, "hey, take out zero and insert $20.00 under the part about employer re-imbursement for riding your bike to work."
I would also be remiss if I did not add, that we all should be contacting our congressional representatives, from both houses, to be sure that they support any benefit that may accrue from riding a bike.
Thanks for tuning in - get out and ride!

Revolution Racks Race Recognition!!

2007-08-12T16:11:00.000-05:00

This past weekend at the Ore to Shore Race, rad Revolution riders racked up race recognition with results. Returning home riders raved about rocks rising higher than rainbows. Referees registered results with great reception of St. Cloud Revolution riders. Results read over the radio rattled competitors radiant smiles and rammed them into the red rasberry patches of the race course. " Mike Schroden 2nd (in class), Kyia Malenkovich (2nd overall), Kate Foley (3rd in class), Sheila Amo (2nd in class). Riders revealed rags helpful as rain receded in record levels. Rashes raped robust riders. But regardless of their recrudescent skin riders' radars stayed rich with visions of rewarding raffles and ran the course ridculously rapid. Ramping up to collect ransom, riders returned home for ranch dressing and raisins.

Congrats all Revolution Riders at Ore to Shore !!!!

Oh yea! Also to mention is Josh Gold's 28th overall and 5th in the bike finish at the Northwoods Triathlon and our remorse to Andy Schlicht who crashed 200m from the finish at the Birchwood Road Race. Road Rash will heal, his snapped fork won't but Andy, I know some good fella's in a store in St. Cloud who will be more that happy to help out.

Remember to Ride Revolutioneers!
Regards

Revolution Rejects Rumor

2007-08-10T09:53:00.000-05:00

It has yet to issue an official statement, but an un-named source at awesome bike shop, Revolution Cycle and Ski, has denied rumors that it has purchased the Discovery Pro Cycling Team. The source said something along the lines of, who needs em? and hung up the phone.

More as things develop.

Revolving Around - Thoughts on Cycling

2007-08-08T18:58:00.000-05:00

The Revolution Cycle and Ski site isn't set up so that we can have visitors respond to either the site, or what you have seen in the store or anything else. So, we thought that we'd set up a blog where we can wax on about the joys of riding a bike. You can write back and tell us that we're full of prunes or write about your own cycling experiences, favorite rides or anything else you care to comment on.
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