It seems that every few months, a writer somewhere in the United States insists on decrying the presence of cyclists on the public roads. The singularly remarkable quality of these essays is not their keen use of logic, insightful use of statistics or profoundly philosophical defense of motor based vehicles, but rather a depressingly prosaic series of complaints levelled at those of us who have the audacity to venture forth on the roads with the sole intention of violating the God-given rights of American motorists.

November 1, 2003: Thoughts on the training of an American Consumer.

Initially, there was little remarkable about the dark SUV as it pulled through the four corners. True, the driver could have killed a dozen riders in the A pack in the process, but then, a number of drivers chose to ignore the two marshals, leveraging their vehicles' tons against the young woman's sense of self-preservation. Then matters took an interesting turn: perhaps she was thinking of her boyfriend in the pack, or the sense of frustration at having drivers summarily ignoring her pleas to stop (many of the drivers also chose to ignore the 4-way stop signs, as well).

December 10, 2003: Snake Oil

Until recently, I never even considered the possibility of going on, let alone following, a strict diet. When I "retired" from (semi) competitive cycling in 1990, I tipped the scales at 145 pounds, six pounds heavier than I had been the previous year. My weight fluctuated over the next decade, but I rarely broke 160. When Traci and I were married in 2000, I was under 150 pounds.

I've always believed that it is essential to know and understand the strategies and mindset of one's opponents. I'm often more interested in what the "enemy" has to say than than I am in the arguments of those who would support my position on a given subject. While anti-cycling sentiment is by no means limited to the United States, it is perhaps here that we see its ultimate manifestation.

I pulled in to the parking lot of the old school around 8 in the morning, and saw that I was the only fool in the lot.