On Sun, 27 May 2007 22:51:03 GMT, Brian Henderson
wrote:


Which doesn't help when you go shopping, does it?

I shop on a bicycle often, with some thought and planning. With
racks, panniers, and/or a big 'ol messenger bag, it's amazing what a
cyclist can carry. Every day, I ride 5 miles with my laptop and some
papers, dress clothes & shoes, breakfast and fruit, and misc small
things (PDA , cell phone, Ipod, watch...) in a messenger bag.

You can't carry
groceries for a family on your bicycle, much less trying to carry a
dozen 4x8 sheets of plywood on your back. This is the woodworking
newsgroup after all.

Did you know Steve Knight has used a bicycle with a trailer for wood
runs? "Woodshop News" recently did an article about a cabinet shop
that bought bikes for interested staff to ride to work. G

I use my car and truck for some situations, as "whenever we can"
dosen't have to mean *always*. 4x8 sheets, 12' 8/4 planks, 5 gallon
lacquer cans, kitty litter, Diet Coke @ 5/12 packs for $10? Yeah, I
drive with those. I also drive when it's really freakin' cold, in
thunderstorms, or when the roads are snowy or icy.

I don't use the bike for political reasons or simply to save fuel. My
clothes or bikes don't have "one less car" written on them and I don't
scowl motorists. G I like to drive my vehicles from cradle to
grave, 2 mile trips are pretty tough on a vehicle. Cycling is fun
and good for you, and I can hear the birds and see what's really going
in the 'hood. Little kids at the bus stop wave to me. I arrive at
work wide awake with a lot less coffee.

By simply seeing 41 year old me doing it, three coworkers now ride to
work on a regular basis. One of the guys is 54 and hadn't had a bike
since he was a kid. Now he does a 40 mile round trip commute twice a
week. I'm the "kid" of the group! G