An Un-Political Cyclist
Well, you should know that I am probably the most un-political person you can possibly know. Really. I definitely don’t know my Right Wing from my Left. To be honest, I have no clue if Obama is a republican or democrat, and I don’t even know who the current Prime Minister of Canada is….and I’m Canadian. Yeah, I’m that un-political.
What I do know is that I’m just a simple guy who is totally Loving the Bike, and I don’t care to take it any deeper than that. I love to see people speak their mind and voice their opinions, and I think it’s okay for people to favor or oppose a viewpoint…..although the world would be such a nicer place if we didn’t possess the need to criticize.
The first time we took off the training wheels and became part of the two wheeling community of cyclists is likely a great memory for all of us, right? Do you think environmentalism, weight loss, or gas prices mattered to you when you first started Loving the Bike? I’m pretty sure that Freedom and Self Achievement are what’s filling the minds of most kids who learn to ride a bike. Why does that have to change? Whatever your reason for Loving the Bike, I know there is at least a little piece of you who goes back to your childhood every time you jump on the saddle.
We’re all part of the cycling community…fellow cyclists….people who possess our own thoughts.
Whether you’re Right Wing, Left Wing, or somewhere in the middle…..we are all cyclists. While y’all take your own political stand…..I’ll be over here with my feet planted firmly in the sand. Loving the Bike and Loving the Beach.
Wow
It sucks when I don’t have enough to get to my favorite sites and see stuff like this.
Loved the post, am happy with debate, any kinda of debate as long as it stays, sane, rational and does not immediately become personal like some people seem to be unable to resist making it. I have very strong political feelings, they dont all fit in one nice catagory labeled Democratic or Republican, Tea party or anarchist but…. I love the freedoms and opportunities that this country provides, even when it provides it to morons that don’t know how to use them sensibly or respect others opinions.
Darryl, your Rock, Kelly, you do to. Lets ride.
Thanks Eric…..I always love hearing from you. Kelly and I both appreciate your comments and thoughts on both of these posts.
bravo – right there with ya
I’ve worked in state politics for ten years now. I’m good at what I do and have a passion for my job. Understandably, much of my worldview is framed in a political sense (evidently, even cycling 🙂 ). While I NEVER imagined that my little post would “spice this site up” as much as it did, I was and am grateful to have had the opportunity to state what I believe and why. Like I’ve told so many who joined the “conservative cyclist conversation,” it’s a conversation worth promoting regardless of where one stands on the political spectrum.
We all come from different states, different families, different experiences. We all ride different bikes. But what makes America so great is that we have the opportunity to come together, voice our opinions and learn from each other. That’s the only way we’re going to grow, right?
I found it fascinating to read all the comments (both on the original post and this one). I like knowing why all of YOU ride your bike. And I think it’s good for all of YOU to articulate why you ride your bike.
And seriously…I’m okay with all your reasons…as long as they get you out riding more.
Shorter Kelly: Please, lots of you need to STFU about why you bike so my people will better accept cycling. But I dig and respect all of you.
Uh, yeah. Seriously, bring some honesty to the conversation.
Classy.
Ah, the lazy response. All I’ve seen from your two posts are reasons as to why the cyclists you’re writing about (who aren’t necessarily the majority of actual cyclists) should do something different than what they’re doing.
You want to be useful for cycling? Talk to your fellow conservatives. Fight against dragging cycling into the culture wars. That’s far more useful than you telling someone who’s cycling because it helps the environment to stop talking about why she cycles.
If I see any more comments as harsh as this, I have no choice but to delete them from the site. This is a place where people come to have fun and share their love for the bike.
If you don’t want an honest conversation, Darryl, you shouldn’t purport to start one. I’m pretty comfortable with my credibility on the side of advocacy and community efforts. Looks like you sorta wanted to start one, but then wanted fluff instead. No?
Hey MB, honest conversation is great. It’s the profanity we can live without…..definitely not cool. We are always welcome to people’s comments and opinions, just as long as they are respectful. Says a lot about a person.
That’s cool. I didn’t realize this was such sensitive space that mere acronyms would give the vapors. What’s more offensive to me than the form you object to is the substantive idea that people should stop talking about why they love to bike in the hope that they’ll listen (despite the mountains of evidence that they won’t).
Sharpening the Taser barbs at this very moment Boss! Just say the word! Every political ideology needs an enforcer! LOL
Thanks Stevie. I think he might just need a hug.
Well, thankfully, there are people who care enough to pay attention and actively participate in making our world a better place. You don’t know who the PM is, or whether Obama’s a Democrat or Republican? That’s incredibly ignorant, and sad that you see it as something worth boasting about. The society you live in and benefit from is the product of arguments, compromises, and work that necessarily paid attention to details like this, and you’re just floating along, benefitting from it without the first thought of contributing something back to it.
But hey, go have another beer, it’s all okay. When it goes away, I’m sure you won’t complain.
I guess you never really got the point of this post now did you? If it makes you feel better, go on and keep judging people and seeing the worst in everything. I think you need a nice long bike ride.
Well, your point is “hey, let’s all go out and ride a bike and have a great time”, right?
Except that ignores what it takes to provide for the roads, paths, and laws that help make that possible. But hey, you’re having a great time!
I don’t mind doing the work to make that happen without your help or interest. But don’t start bringing BS to those that do help make that happen without understanding how it works.
Whoa MB, Its you who come of as ignorant here. I suspect that Darryl has had a far more positive impact on the world around him in the last week than you have in your life based on the drivel you write.
I’m with you there.
Whilst it may be a modern day art-form, the science of running governmental or state affairs compares very poorly with the simple joy of tire hum and the wind in your hair.
I like how you said that. Have a great day and Enjoy Your Ride.
Well said Lets Just all ride a bike. and leave the politics in the voting booth. if you do vote. if not. oh well. But Go ride your bike and enjoy Life!
Exactly…..let’s leave the politics to those who really enjoy it. I’d much rather be out on my bike.
Amen, my cycling sage. Amen!
Thanks Allison. Hmmmm, the cycling sage huh? Nice.
I know where my political ideals stand but, like you, don’t understand why people have to take discussions to the extreme where they can no longer be civil with one another.
Yeah, a nice debate is okay but I don’t like it when things get personal. I appreciate your comments, Bryan.
your final paragraph invokes a Zac Brown song:
I got my toes in the water, ass in the sandNot a worry in the world, a cold beer in my handLife is good today, life is good today
Yeah I think that people like me, Zac Brown, Tim Starry, and Jimmy Buffett would get along quite well. I love that line you wrote down above. I’ll be doing exactly that this weekend.
Love it
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