That's funny!

 

Probably not far off, considering how fruity UCSC is. It also reminds me of a vague memory of the "violent" bicycle protests in San Francisco, where they rode around bashing on cars. (Am I making that up, or did that really happen?) I just find that the whole socio-political movement on the West Coast that preaches about homegrown ideals like pro-cyclist, anti-globalist, environmentalist, anti-gentrification, pacifism sure has a penchant to turn ugly and violent on a dime. I suspect that most of the ideals these people espouse (many of which I quietly share) are held by them largely because they feel powerless against their misconceptions about government and the media and farmland militias and the FBI and whatever else. I also think this same powerless feeling is what makes them act like monkeys on Red Bull when their sensibilities get ruffled.

 

Sunchild, no one is impressed with your self absorbed, rambling stream of consciousness. Farmland militias? You're so full of sh*t I could cut your head off and tip it out. This is someone that a number of members openly worried about on the Board as possibly missing after WTC? That's real gratitude.

 

I've been a long-time cyclist, used to be about 50/50 road and mountain biking, but now nearly 100% mountain biking b/c it's more fun and much less dangerous IMO. Yes, bicycles have just as much right to our roads, but it seems like many cyclists can't differentiate between their rights and common sense. I know I can legally ride my bike almost anywhere, but that doesn't matter much if I get run over by a cage, does it?

Also, I agree w/ the observations of how most road cylists seem to demand equal treatment w/ other vehicles ex. when it comes time to stop at an intersection or obey other laws which are inconvenient. I LOVE bicycles, but the radical, anti-car views of some roadies only helped to drive me away from road biking and label them as unrealistic radicals.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by The Raptor
[B]Sunchild, no one is impressed with your self absorbed, rambling stream of consciousness.

 

Oh, I feel so powerless, so opressed! And by the way, that isn't my employer, it's my company that I founded and own. I'm glad you brought it up, as Richard Nixon (fellow California native) used to say. We're not tree huggers, we're environmental professionals. We help people solve environmental problems and clean up soil and groundwater, among other things. We're genuinely doing something good for the planet and are quite proud of it. Unlike the violence-crazed mob surrounding us. Sunchild, get a life.

 

Hey, on the subject of "environmental services", I was in one of the most build up business areas of central London the other day, walking by the Thames, and I came across this guy who was holding a medium-sized bird of prey on a gloved hand.

I got talking to him, and apparently he is employed by the offices around there to fly his falcon to scare away the pigeons. Apparently he works the London airports doing the same...keeping birds away from the runways etc. He was into falconry already, and came up with this idea to set up a company doing the thing he loves.

Dunno whether it works or not, but seemed pretty damn cool to me...I reckon there's worse way to earn a crust.

Always fancied giving falconry a try myself...anyone ever give it a go?

 

PariS2K

I knew a guy that was into falconry, Ford Falconry that is!

 

'symroad-

Great pic!

 

Hmm, back on topic, I ALWAYS get the slow-down yell and wave from cyclists on mountain roads just from the sound of our exhaust. I usually give a what-r-you-gonna-do shoulder roll and toodle on with a smile. But physically attacked by a bicyclist? Wow, is that nutty or what? I mean, you could've been a nut just like him and gotten in your car to squish-him-like-bug.

I suppose if he had pulled up next to me at a light, after yelling at me, I'd have mentioned I was travelling below the limit.