Posted on May 9, 2012 by pagesofjulia
When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man’s convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man’s brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle.
–Elizabeth West, Hovel in the Hills
Aside from the unfortunate use of “man” to mean “people,” what a lovely and true statement she makes.
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Posted on March 14, 2012 by pagesofjulia
A man on foot, on horseback or on a bicycle will see more, feel more, enjoy more in one mile than the motorized tourist can in a hundred miles.
–Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire
I will give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he means a woman, too. I’m just relieved to see that Abbey acknowledges us two-wheeled, human-powered vehicles as part of the solution. 🙂
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Posted on February 29, 2012 by pagesofjulia
A bicycle is freedom when you’re riding it; it’s a millstone when you’re not.
–Willie Weir, “Back Roads and Back Waters,” India section, Spokesongs
Portaging one’s bicycle is always a drag. Then again, some of us choose to race cyclocross. 🙂
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Posted on February 15, 2012 by pagesofjulia
As a cyclist I try to avoid places with cute French names. These inevitably are dining establishments. Touring cyclists seldom dine, they feed.
–Willie Weir, “Beauties and the Beast,” South Africa section, Spokesongs
Remember, a cycle-tourist travels by bicycle; in this case, Willie is a self-supported tourist, meaning he carries all his gear and fuel and supplies on his bike. In other words, he needs calories. This two-wheeled thought comes from a funny little story involving a “dining establishment” in which he doesn’t feel he belongs.
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Posted on February 1, 2012 by pagesofjulia
When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race.
–H.G. Wells
A classic.
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Posted on January 25, 2012 by pagesofjulia
You make a covenant with a bike like this – to ride it, and to look after it for as long as it bears you away to a refuge far from the present.
Robert Penn, It’s All About the Bike
Mmm. I’m feeling this one. Last summer I replaced all three of my mountain bikes with 29ers (learn more here), including my Best Bike to Date, a titanium hardtail. And then I hurt my thumb, and then I hurt my knee, and then I had all that time off the bike and then knee surgery, and I am feeling badly about neglecting ALL the bikes. I hope to be back on top of said covenant soon. Thanks again Pops for the inspiring quotations!
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Posted on January 18, 2012 by pagesofjulia
You cannot build good bicycles with unhappy workers.
– Antonio Columbo, scion of the famous Columbus steel tubing dynasty & owner of Cinelli Bicyles.
Thanks (again) to Pops for contributing today’s two-wheeled thoughts. I think there’s more to this one than bicycles. A philosophy for workers’ rights or even LIFE here, no?
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Posted on January 11, 2012 by pagesofjulia
The bicycle saves my life every day. If you have ever experienced a moment of awe or freedom on a bicycle… We know, it’s all about the bike.
Robert Penn, in the Prologue to It’s All About the Bike
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Posted on January 4, 2012 by pagesofjulia
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.
–Albert Einstein
and the response:
…words for me that quite simply and literally define survival; physical movement = life.
–Pops
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Posted on December 29, 2011 by pagesofjulia
Handing over a bank note is enough to make a bicycle belong to me, but my entire life is needed to realize this possession.
–Jean-Paul Sartre
Thanks Pops for today’s submission! Realizing my bicycles is indeed a lifelong journey, and I’m feeling it these days, working hard in physical therapy to try to get back to where I was… and onwards from there. I want to win a trophy to present to my PT.
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