Saturday, April 2, 2011

I'm not the only one out there!

I had to go out and run some errands by car today (I nearly got blown over on the Pashley on my way home from work!) and lo and behold I spotted someone riding a bike! In regular clothes! In a ball cap! Talking on his phone! In the Bike Lane of Doom!




See him on the corner? I was cheering him on from the car. Ok, Bike Lane of Doom. For one thing, it follows along side a 4 lane highway with cars traveling between the posted 45 and 60. It makes the cyclist cross over the on and off lanes for I-26. Cars in those lanes are either gaining speed to merge with traffic on the interstate, or gaining speed to merge with traffic on the highway. Either way you've got drivers trying to get up to speed to contend with. More power to that guy for braving that cluster f***.

Then when I reached my destination I spotted this:




Someone rode to the craft store! And discovered when they got there that there is no bike parking. Or even anything to make do with. I've so far counted 3 shopping centers in town that have bike racks. And one with a No Bicycles sign. :/

Anyway, back to the bike. I love the shade of green it's painted.




And check out the lugs!










It says Volkscycle XV. I'm going to have to look that one up. Sounds like someone else has an interesting vintage German bike. I wish I could have talked to it's person. I wandered around the store looking for someone that might look like they belong to it but didn't find anyone. Which I suppose is good. That means that there is another person in town riding a bike in regular clothes. Also it means that there isn't someone willing to shop in the craft store in Lycra.

8 comments:

  1. If I recall correctly, Volkcycle was a "bike boom" brand that was actually American but used imported bikes (think Univega or Centurion). They called it Volkscycle in hopes people would associate it with Volkswagon. I see one on Craigslist from time to time. Nice looking specimen!

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  2. adventure! - Interesting. I thought that I had heard the name before, but wasn't sure. Thanks for the info! It was rather nice looking. Seemed to be well loved anyway, in a used but not too abused way.

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  3. Ok, that really does sound like a Bike Lane of Doom! yikes!

    But it is nice to know that you are not alone out there. Biking to a craft store does sound like the perfect weekend errand.

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  4. I can't believe a shopping centre has a No Bicycles sign, way to drive away customers.

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  5. I love, love that frame color and the lugs. The frame is interesting, but I'm not sure if it's my eyes or the angle which the photo was taken it looks like there is not a lot of space between the tire and the top of the bottom tube. The wheels look big. Could be some serious toe overlap by the looks of it. Nice find.

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  6. "Also it means that there isn't someone willing to shop in the craft store in Lycra."

    Thanks for a laugh today!

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  7. There are a few commuters out there on Johnson City roads. Just about everyday i see a guy riding to work (I talked to him but forgot his name) who returns from work via the lane of doom. He rides everyday all winter long. Anyway nice to see your blog. Yea for East Tennessee commuters.

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  8. Tom - Hi there! I commute mostly over in the Boones Creek area out to Jonesborough (via Carroll Creek out to Knob Creek), so I don't get out to the State of Franklin area too often. I've seen this guy a few more times recently. He's giving me inspiration to brave it and give the Bike Lane of Doom a go. If you see me around stop and say hi! I've not met many other cyclists around here.

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