Friday Writings for Randos - The Hard Way

{Friday Writings for Randos - A weekly post that features pieces from other writers that touch some facet of the Randonneuring experience, even if that was not the author's intent. It's stuff that's best read out loud - slowly.} This week it's:

The Hard Way

by Jane Flanders

"All right, do it the hard way." My mother's voice - the tone implies mulishness, snubbed advice, and an easy way, of course, if only I'd listen. " . . .

Ride of Silence - Philadelphia

The mission of the world wide Ride of Silence is to honor bicyclists killed by motorists, promote sharing the road, and provide awareness of bicycling safety.

Flying Pigeon PA 06

Put a bird on it.

I picked up this Flying Pigeon PA-06 from a local guy who had bought it at an estate sale. It was in very good condition. Its utilitarian simplicity and rock solid build give it an undeniable charm. Some of its features include a triple spring leather seat, push rod brakes, pigeon rack, pigeon bars, tires that appear to be originals, fully enclosed drive train and kickstand.

A test ride showed that it has three speeds: take it easy, slow down and walk.

Some interweb research led to the following: 

From Wikipedia: 

The classic Flying Pigeon bicycles are the PA-02 and PA-06 (men's) and PB-13 (women's). These are one of the most iconic symbols of old China (the sturdy, single speed black roadster bicycle ridden by the masses).

They are simple, conceived of as a working machine meant to last a lifetime. Like the Ford Model T, they are only available in one colour, black, except for the flare of vanilla at the fender tips.

Friday Writings for Randos - Fly Fishing

{Friday Writings for Randos - A weekly post that features pieces from other writers that touch some facet of the Randonneuring experience, even if that was not the author's intent. It's stuff that's best read out loud - slowly.} This week it's:.

An excerpt from A River Runs Through it

One great thing about fly fishing is that after a while nothing exists of the world but thoughts about fly fishing. It is also interesting that thoughts about fly fishing are often carried on in dialogue form where Hope and Fear - or many times, two fears - try to outweigh each other. 

Treat yourself to the best - The PA Randonneurs Water Gap 300k

On Saturday morning, the sound of the alarm clock ringing at 1:45 a.m., set off a heated discussion in my brain. 

Right brain - "Oh man it's early."

Left brain-  "The 300K starts at 4:00, I have to leave by 2:15"

Right brain - "It's still too early, sleep for ten more minutes."

Left brain - "Gotta get up."

Right brain - "I've only slept for a few hours."

Left brain - "It's good training for a long brevet."

Right brain - "I can't train to not sleep!"

Left brain - "Gotta get up."

Right brain - "Oh, man it's early."

 The whole conversation took place in the seconds it took find and disarm the clock. Then I looked out the window. The soft yellow light of the almostbutnotquite full "super moon" gave an ethereal glow to a scattered layer of thin clouds. Night air, slightly cool, drifted in from the window. Wow. Then Right brain and Left brain reached the same conclusion: This would be a good night to start a ride. That ended the debate. I dressed, packed the last few items into the minivan and headed off to start.

Friday Writings for Randos - On the strength of all convictions and the stamina of love

{Friday Writings for Randos - A weekly post that features pieces from other writers that touch some facet of the Randonneuring experience, even if that was not the author's intent. It's stuff that's best read out loud - slowly.} This week it's:

ON THE STRENGTH OF ALL CONVICTIONS 

AND THE STAMINA OF LOVE

by Jenifer Michael Hecht

Sabina

Today, I sat through the opening statements of a murder trial. Sabina, the young woman whose life ended in an act of senseless brutality, was the daughter of my friend, a friend to my children, a child who was as welcome in my home as any member of my family.

Listening to an opening statement in a murder trial is not like listening to a eulogy. At a trial, death, not life, is the focus, and Sabina was so full of life.

Life is short, precious and fragile. Enjoy it. Live it. Treasure it.