Freewheel'n - March, 2001

Spring will arrive this month…the long nights of winter are now behind us and we can begin to cycle once again. I went looking at various newsgroup posting boards on the web to see what issues are of interest to the cycling community. One of these is the increase in the minimum contribution for the MS cycling events. The increase is $50 and there were some that complained. One needs to understand that although we have embraced this as a cycling event, the real purpose is to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis. This is a charity event. I have participated in many of these over the years. I, like many, have seen better economic times. We lose our perspective. We can cycle each and every day. However, to those with MS…and to those that love them, the affects of MS are much different. How do we say thanks? Do we now complain about $200? I guess…if the good Lord blessed you with the health to cycle, then simply show thanks…remember the saying, from your lips to God’s ear. I would not want the Lord to think his blessing is not worth $200…this is, after all, just $1.75 a day!!! For more information click here for Multiple Sclerosis or here for the City to Shore Tour.

Then there were those questioning buying a bicycle from Kmart or Walmart as from a specialty store. I find totally unbelievable that there are those that think the value provided by a bicycle store is worth so little. Yes…the large retailers do sell at a discount…discounting both service and product. This is similar to those that still accept the risk of riding without a helmet. My feeling…let those that want to ride without a helmet buy from the large retailers. They obviously see their cycle as a toy and our sport not much differently…perhaps they are correct. Their cycles are toys. To me, my two cycles are much more…as a true enthusiast the importance of getting the craftsmanship provided from a specialty store goes hand in hand with the importance I place on my two cycles.

There is an excellent cycling web site provided by our own New Jersey Department of Transportation and is located at www.state.nj.us/njcommuter/html/bikewalk.htm. The site features Trails & Events, InMotion Newsletter, Getting Off to the Right Foot, Biking Fun Packets, and more. The Trails & Events list rides provided by many organizations in our state. The InMotion newsletter has a feature about the Delaware River Heritage Trail. This has been designated a Community Trail 2000 and will be marked as a Millennium Trail and will carry the White House Millennium Council logo. A trail map and description will be included in a new national trails database.

While mentioning web sites, please continue to visit Quibbles, Quotes, Quales, Quest Tours and past Freewheel’n articles!

RePete
www.oocities.org/repete_bike