llsm-@veloski.com
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I had a great chuckle reading Eric's musings about seeing himself in so
many different bike costumes and faces!!! I too have seen the many
faces of our cycling friends, but in a much different light. The light
I've seen is found in a place called France, where grocery store
shoppers and neopro riders SHARE the spirit of cycling freely with
everyone. It's so refreshing to be greeted with a friendly bonjour from
walkers and other cyclists as I ride through small villages and larger
towns in the Alps of France each summer. Who in America could imagine
having cars pull over to the side to let a cyclist pass on a twisty
descent? Who in America could imagine cars WAITING for a safe
opportunity to pass on tiny alpine roads instead of trying to run you
over with a SUV the American way?
I ride 2000km per month in Europe from June thru October as a cycling
tour guide every summer. After 8 seasons guiding in Europe I am
continually impressed with the courtesy and genuine appreciation
Europeans have for cyclists of all ages and abilities. It's too bad our
money driven, ego stroking, SUV driving American compatriots don't get
it about sharing the simple pleasure of riding for utility, recreation
and competition. So if you truly want to experience cycling as we all
dream it could be, then join me some summer riding the backroads of
France, Italy, Switzerland or Austria. Only problem is that you might
decide to stay off the roads when you get back to the USA, because it's
scary out there in SUV land. Kinda sad really; it used to be Winebagos
were the biggest threat to a cyclist during summer tourist season. Now
there's a SUV lurking around every corner and bend in the road being
driven by someone that forgot how vulnerable it is to be a cyclist on
the road of life in America.
I, like many of you, have lost several cycling friends because someone
driving an urban assault vehicle didn't pay attention to their
environment. Whatever you do...be careful out there; the world needs to
see your energy and spirit in action every day. Take time to share love
with your family and friends everyday; you may be their special
motivation in ways they can't articulate.
Just an old timer riding around sharing life....
Larry Smith
www.veloski.comb
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<DIV><SPAN class=336300205-27042003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I had
a great chuckle reading Eric's musings about seeing himself in so many different
bike costumes and faces!!! I too have seen the many faces of our cycling
friends, but in a much different light. The light I've seen is found in a
place called France, where grocery store shoppers and neopro riders SHARE the
spirit of cycling freely with everyone. It's so refreshing to be greeted
with a friendly bonjour from walkers and other cyclists as I ride through small
villages and larger towns in the Alps of France each summer. Who in
America could imagine having cars pull over to the side to let a cyclist pass on
a twisty descent? Who in America could imagine cars WAITING for a safe
opportunity to pass on tiny alpine roads instead of trying to run you over
with a SUV the American way? </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=336300205-27042003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=336300205-27042003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I ride
2000km per month in Europe from June thru October as a cycling tour guide every
summer. After 8 seasons guiding in Europe I am continually impressed with
the courtesy and genuine appreciation Europeans have for cyclists of all ages
and abilities. It's too bad our money driven, ego stroking, SUV driving
American compatriots don't get it about sharing the simple pleasure of riding
for utility, recreation and competition. So if you truly want to
experience cycling as we all dream it could be, then join me some summer riding
the backroads of France, Italy, Switzerland or Austria. Only problem is
that you might decide to stay off the roads when you get back to the USA,
because it's scary out there in SUV land. Kinda sad really; it used to be
Winebagos were the biggest threat to a cyclist during summer tourist
season. Now there's a SUV lurking around every corner and bend in the road
being driven by someone that forgot how vulnerable it is to be a cyclist on the
road of life in America. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=336300205-27042003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=336300205-27042003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I,
like many of you, have lost several cycling friends because someone driving an
urban assault vehicle didn't pay attention to their environment. Whatever
you do...be careful out there; the world needs to see your energy and spirit in
action every day. Take time to share love with your family and friends
everyday; you may be their special motivation in ways they can't
articulate. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=336300205-27042003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=336300205-27042003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Just
an old timer riding around sharing life....</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=336300205-27042003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=336300205-27042003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Larry
Smith</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=336300205-27042003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><A
href="http://www.veloski.comb">www.veloski.comb</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=336300205-27042003> </SPAN></DIV>
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