I have long professed my predilection for being a solo rider, an intentional loner, if you will. I'm not really into a bike club or lbs social scene... I value the solitude offered by the bicycle very highly: it is my zen time, not to be impinged upon by the ramblings (or space taking uppings) of others. I find it calming even when riding in full downtown street mode.
Here in London Ontario a local cycling advocacy group has gotten some press and God help me, I've asked to be involved. Here's the email I sent:
Hello,
I am year-round bicycle commuter here in London who up until now has had no involvement in cycling advocacy. Your recent media attention has peaked my interest in your group and made me think about joining in the discussion.
I would like to know more about your group, and may be in a position to forward the cause (in a small way) online.
Thanks,
Patrick "Rantwick" Cormier
This isn't like me at all. If they get back to me, I'll have to, like, meet some new people! What have I done? Plus, in pasting my email, I have noticed a grammatical error! "I am year-round bicycle commuter"? They're bound to hate me from the start!
Seriously though, this is different from participating in group rides and stuff like that... unless they're into CM and shit, which I have no interest in. I think it likely that if they get back to me, they won't force me to ride with others.
As much as I want to just ride my bike, I'm feeling like I want to add my voice (and opinions) to the discussions of what London needs to promote cycling. I have read some stuff that makes this group seem like typical bike lane proponents; that isn't bad so long as it's not all about the paint. Even if it is, maybe I can add a voice that helps reduce poorly planned paint! I love bike lanes, really, when they make sense and are safely designed.
Caring about stuff sucks. I mean, when you start caring about stuff, it makes you start doing stuff. This is bad news for a person who is lazy by nature. Damn. Am I crazy?
Yer Doomed to Do More Stuff Pal,
R A N T W I C K PS - Under my new rules, "uppings" (see first para) is a real word.
16 comments:
I look at it this way: someone has to do it.
As a bicycle rider, I eventually reap the benefits that others have worked hard for. When I helped to put on that event last year, my main goal was for others to learn more about something I enjoy very much. I decided to get "involved."
I think most of us in bloggerland also do our own little part to promote bicycling and that qualifies as getting 'involved' too. We share our experiences in a way that maybe inspires or motivates or informs. As you know, blogging consistently is no small effort.
Good luck with your group!
I say that it a positive way.
When you are dedicated to something, I think it's natural to want to be 'involved' when it affects the greater good.
So to answer your question: no, you are not crazy.
I think.
Maybe.
I am year-round bicycle commuter - I never knew you were Russian.
Seriously though, I have been the President of a BUG for way too long, and I wax between energetic optimism and utter despair. I am having an utter despair week, and it means a lot to me to see glimmers of energetic optimism. Go forth and believe. And thanks.
EXCUSE ME!!! One question please, Mr. President-elect Rantwick, What exactly do you mean by "CM and shit"?
Hmm...
Keep this up, and you might be ejected from the Lone Wolf Club. But-since we're never together, I doubt we'll get around to it.
Card carrying member of the LWC here too. But anyways good on you Rantwick.
Thanks all!
John, "CM and shit" refers to Critical Mass rides, which I am sure you know; I have zero interest in such rides. I don't want or need to feel empowered by a group, nor do I want to meet new people in an on-road exercise. I don't want to ever ride my bike as a political statement either. I just want to ride my bike. I'll make my political statements with words rather than actions.
For those who wish to send their message with CM rides, knock yourselves out. It's not me.
I really didnt know what CM was.=( But I'm with ya. A mob with an opinion is a scary thing. I have done a few fundraising rides. Free Tee-shirt and lunch buffets after a ride aren't the same thing as making a political statement, I guess. And I wouldn't want to be the lone volunteer on clean-up after such an event. Good luck and I look forward to hearing more about the new venture.
Crazy is as Crazy does. I think it's mad NOT to stand up for something you believe in.
Leap and the net will appear. You'll be happy you contacted them in the end. Fer sure. xo xo
Give it a try. If you don't like it, screw something up royally and they'll be happy to let you go. Or just fade back into the shadows. Meanwhile, the discussion can use all the informed opinions it can get. You may present a point that had previously been overlooked or you might merely reinforce one, but a a good one.
Remember: Everything you do makes a difference. Nothing you do matters. It all goes in the blender with everyone else's stuff and gets poured into the river of time. But it will be different because you were there.
cafiend - woah.
I, also, like to ride on the road alone but I like to mountain bike with others.
maybe you could organize a LWC ride where everyone in your town goes out for a ride by themselves at the same time. if you happen to pass one another simply say 'hello' and go your own way.
i'll participate from here if you tell me when.
johnny - LWC ride; riding together by yourself. Cool idea, but Lone Wolves are notoriously hard to contact.
Dude, if you are going to point out grammatical errors, at least go for the most egregious ones first. I assume you meant to write "piqued" (as in stimulating interest or curiosity). "Forward the cause" made my eyes hurt and my intellect weep, but some hippies (at Oxford U) decided it can be used as a verb meaning "promote" so I'll give you that one (reluctantly). Because at the end of the day, when you step up to the plate, the bottom line is all about thinking outside the box in order to forward the cause. [Vomits in mouth]
Damn. I did intend "piqued". I am appropriately ashamed.
As for the rest, thanks for pointing out the disconnect; it think on balance at the end of the day it will really help me take it to the next level.
* I think , not it think. That just doesn't make any sense.
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