It seems apparent, to me anyhow, the Racing Platypus rider was strongly influenced by the philosophy of Calvin and Hobbs.
Mike "who needs ephemeral rules" SLO CA On Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 12:47:56 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: > I got on the horn to The Lone Wolf and asked him when we could do one of > our famous Riv Rides around town. He said today. Good, I said, but I’ll > tell you right now I’m bringing the mermaid Platypus, so you know what that > means. > > The Lone Wolf paused, pensively. “It means I can’t ride the Sam.” > > Yes! I said, because of The Rules. > > For the rest of you who don’t know The Rules, the Sam Hillborne goes with > the raspberry Platypus and not with the mermaid one. If The Lone Wolf were > to bring his Hunq, I would need to bring the mermaid Platypus or possibly > my Clem, but that has not yet been done. > > At the meeting spot, The Lone Wolf came into view with…a red Soma mixte. > > I threw up my hands. “You brought a red bike when I brought a green one? > That’s Christmas colors and it’s not the Christmas season! There are > rules!” > > The Lone Wolf shot back that he didn’t know about *that* rule and I > countered that I had made it up just now but that that was no excuse. > > The Lone Wolf rolled his eyes heavenward and thought back to simpler > times, like 2021, when The Platypus Rider had not lived in his territory. > > More tolerant than he lets on, he led the ride anyway, and we went in our > Christmas colors all over the bikeways of the city. Then we stopped for ice > cream and we both felt better. But next time, we’re going to play by The > Rules. > > > > On Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 3:46:16 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! > wrote: > >> The Lone Wolf allowed himself to be lured into another ride (that he >> would be forced to plan) with the Platypus Rider. As we met up in the >> parking lot, I expressed my dismay over his choice of Rivendell. >> >> “You brought the Hunq?!” I asked, incredulous. “This is not what we do. >> We ride the Sam and the Racing Platypus together, and when you ride the >> Hunq I ride the GREEN Platypus!” >> >> The Lone Wolf rolled his eyes skyward and mumbled something about >> Godzillas. (See Bike Snob’s Velotaxonomy for explanation.) >> >> “You have never said this, ever,” he argued. >> >> “I shouldn’t have to tell you,” I countered. >> >> “I was going to bring the Soma mixte,” he said. >> >> Flabbergasted, I said, “Well then what would I be riding?! My Clem?” >> >> “No,” he said, “Mixtes. We’d ride mixtes.” >> >> After that minor disagreement, we set off. The plan was to connect to a >> local bike trail that would wend its way through some nature and spit us >> out in downtown Kalamazoo. There is a pilot project for 2-way bike lanes >> that we wanted to try. Also downtown is a new coffee shop, which we were >> just as eager to visit. >> >> 1. I was not expecting to find this in the middle of the woods on our >> trail. Has anyone seen Outlander? I waited to be transported back to the >> 1800s. These pillars are somebody’s art, but I don’t know the story. >> >> 2.&3. The Eye of Sauron! Especially apt since there’s a Rivendell in the >> scene. >> >> 4.&5. Our pair of Rivs parked outside the coffee shop. You can see the >> metal wavy structure which is the pilot project for a 2-way bike lane. >> >> We cycled through the city and returned home by a different route. We >> passed the candy store, which always offers a riddle. “Why is it dangerous >> to play outside when it’s raining cats and dogs?” I’m still trying to >> figure it out, but I did get the last one, which I then recited to the Lone >> Wolf. >> >> “Why don’t teddy bears eat dessert? Because they’re always stuffed!” >> >> The Lone Wolf rolled his eyes skyward, making a silent vow to leave the >> Platypus Rider behind next time. >> >> I, as always, had a wonderful time and cannot wait to badger @marcirwin5 >> into doing this again. >> >> >> On Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 3:43:11 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! >> wrote: >> >>> Poor @marcirwin5. I twisted his arm into letting me tag along on another >>> one of his famous rides. I don’t have to worry about the route; I just tell >>> him what time I have to be back and that I don’t want to get killed. That >>> is what he has to go on. He’s a good sport, that Marc. >>> >>> Several forces threatened to ruin our day but we persevered. First, the >>> rain that was NOT in the forecast fell just before our ride. It resolved >>> but left a mist and breezy conditions. Then, Marc’s chain spontaneously >>> combusted (he calls it a broken speed link but I like my term better) and >>> he had to fix it on the fly. I stood there, useless, not even knowing you >>> could fix a spontaneously combusted chain. Turns out there’s a tool and he >>> has it. I did my part, though. First, I resolved to watch him so that I, >>> too, would know how to do this magic. But 10 seconds in, it looked too >>> complicated and messy, so instead, while he worked, I recited the story >>> that I was writing in my head about this experience out loud. Then I handed >>> him a surgical mask to wipe his greasy hands on, and then found latex >>> gloves in my Saddlesack for him to keep that grease from ruining his new >>> Brooks blue bar tape on his Sam Hillborne (he refused to wear them while >>> working because he’s a Real Man). So let’s not act like he was the only one >>> solving the problem here. >>> >>> And then we had lunch at a cute place in a far-flung, one-horse town >>> that is not actually a town and I got these photos of our Pair O’ Rivs. I >>> especially like how my bike is tagging along in the back, possibly annoying >>> that Sam, because this is a metaphor for real life. I also love that >>> however The Lone Wolf and the Platypus Rider may differ, we apparently have >>> one bike style. I will direct your attention to our German mirrors, >>> Saddlesacks, and Blue Lug triangles. (I may have given him that triangle so >>> we could match.) >>> >>> 35 miles, maybe the longest ride I’ve been on, and I enjoyed every last >>> bit of it. Thanks, Marc! >>> >>> >>> >>> On Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 3:39:26 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding >>> Ding! wrote: >>> >>>> It’s been a long time since I started this thread, but Marc and I have >>>> continued our Riv Rides around our part of SW Michigan. We even held an >>>> official Riv Ride, with 10 riders in attendance and we are hosting our 2nd >>>> in October! Anyway, I have chronicled our rides on Instagram but thought >>>> it >>>> might amuse some of you if I re-posted them here. So, I’m going to do a >>>> little copy and pasting. >>>> >>>> Here is the first installment. >>>> >>>> Behold: 2 Riv Riders on the Monday Night Ride! >>>> >>>> Poor Marc. Ever since I moved here, that Lone Wolf has been tasked with >>>> showing the new kid around town. He got conned into taking me on the >>>> bikeways and was forced to listen to all my effusions of wonder over the >>>> landscape. Including but not limited to: swamps, streams, roadkill, >>>> flowering trees, and bridges. >>>> >>>> After months of missing one another on the MNR, (wait - was this >>>> intentional?!) we were on the same ride. Two lugged steel Rivendells >>>> amongst a hoarde of carbon machines. >>>> >>>> “Let’s take a picture!” I said. >>>> >>>> “No,” he said flatly. >>>> >>>> “But we’re the Riv Riders! Grant will love this!” I insisted. >>>> >>>> It nearly killed him, but before he could further protest, I recruited >>>> David to snap our photo. David, like any good man, took exactly one photo >>>> that made me look like I had rabbit teeth. >>>> >>>> I thought Marc might stomp me with his Sam, but he submitted to one >>>> more photo attempt. >>>> >>>> 1. Pictured: a Lone Wolf with the irritating new kid in town. Posing >>>> here against his will, but trying to cooperate. >>>> >>>> 2. Bonus photo. David, being funny as the photographer, showing the >>>> irritating new kid in town adjusting her eternally crooked helmet in her >>>> rear view mirror before the photo while the Lone Wolf looks on, >>>> disapprovingly. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Friday, April 15, 2022 at 1:45:26 PM UTC-4 ascpgh wrote: >>>> >>>>> More junk for a burgeoning junkie: Flickr album: Riv Rally East April >>>>> 20-22, 2012 <https://www.flickr.com/groups/1923867@N25/pool/> >>>>> >>>>> I'm headed out this week for a two-day lone wolf ride on the GAP. I >>>>> got an Amtrak+bike ticket for the return trip from Cumberland but the >>>>> calendar at home changed and I have to ride on another day, no train bike >>>>> hook slots available for the trip home. My wife (calendar owner) offered >>>>> to >>>>> pick me up. >>>>> >>>>> Andy Cheatham >>>>> Pittsburgh >>>>> >>>>> On Friday, April 15, 2022 at 7:29:35 AM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Andy, that’s Marc! Sheltering in his tent from the snow? A true Lone >>>>>> Wolf, God bless him. I’ll have to ask him about this ride. 80 degrees >>>>>> and >>>>>> then snow! April is a dirty trickster - fills one with false hope and >>>>>> then >>>>>> dumps snow on it. >>>>>> >>>>>> Adding group rides and rides with pals has really enriched my bike >>>>>> life, and like a junkie, riding is all I want to do now. The more miles >>>>>> I >>>>>> go, the more I want. It just does something for me; maybe it’s the >>>>>> experience my senses get. It’s the scent of pine trees. The sound of the >>>>>> road under your tires. The clicking of gears. All the new scenery, and >>>>>> especially the wildlife here - I always get to see animals. The >>>>>> birdsong. >>>>>> Lakes and ponds teeming with life. Yes, my regular duties are at risk >>>>>> of >>>>>> being neglected; the weather is only getting nicer and it is greening up >>>>>> out there. >>>>>> >>>>>> Send help. >>>>>> Leah >>>>>> >>>>>> On Apr 15, 2022, at 6:25 AM, ascpgh <asc...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Leah, I love to hear stories like this. Is this Marc (pointing)? >>>>>> >>>>>> [image: DSC00922.JPG] >>>>>> He joined a handful of us in April 2012 for the Riv Rally East. We >>>>>> met and rode from Cumberland, MD to Ohiopyle, PA where this picture was >>>>>> taken. Temps at dinner Friday in old Cumberland neared 80°, a few hours >>>>>> after this picture Marc was sheltering from the snow in his tent and I >>>>>> was >>>>>> riding home in it. >>>>>> >>>>>> Highly support lone wolf riding and finding others through groups, >>>>>> even if they aren't your thing outright. This one was a great rolling >>>>>> two >>>>>> day ride and overnight. Marc was a wonderful addition and came from the >>>>>> farthest. A Nor' Easter on the coast concerned many who for their drive >>>>>> home so we adjourned from Ohiopyle after touring Frank Lloyd Wright's >>>>>> Falling Water house. Marc shook off the incoming snow and camped that >>>>>> night >>>>>> in the state park before heading back to Michigan. >>>>>> >>>>>> The event definitely wrapped up lone wolf style for both of us. >>>>>> >>>>>> Andy Cheatham >>>>>> Pittsburgh >>>>>> >>>>>> On Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 3:10:40 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>>>> Ding! wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> [image: 35321691-70AE-4F2E-9F99-01BFDA8B4292.jpeg][image: >>>>>>> F8D27243-95F0-403F-B2AC-81A9C323F25B.jpeg]I have had precious few >>>>>>> chances to meet Rivendell riders in real life. I’ve been a Lone Wolf >>>>>>> forever, always riding alone and never in the vicinity of other >>>>>>> Rivendells. >>>>>>> I decided 10 years was enough of that and when we moved to Michigan, I >>>>>>> joined a bike club. Jon D, out of Colorado, told me about Marc, another >>>>>>> Lone Wolf Riv Rider in my city. So, I emailed him and we met at a bike >>>>>>> club >>>>>>> board meeting. His Riv is a 2012 Sam Hillborne; don’t ask him how many >>>>>>> miles are on it, he’s a Just Ride purist who doesn’t keep track of such >>>>>>> silly details. But, it can be concluded from these photos, that that >>>>>>> Lone >>>>>>> Wolf likes a color-matching theme as much as this Lone Wolf does. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Anyway, he rides everywhere, all the time, and is a wealth of >>>>>>> information about the city and surrounding communities. He’s also kind, >>>>>>> so >>>>>>> he will share it. We have been trying to organize a ride to help me get >>>>>>> my >>>>>>> bearings in the city, but the weather has thwarted every effort…until >>>>>>> today. Lesser devoted riders might have stayed out of the wind and cool >>>>>>> temps, but no way were we cancelling AGAIN. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I had been floundering, trying to find safe routes into downtown >>>>>>> from where I live, but today I was shown some better routes on roads I >>>>>>> wouldn’t have discovered for months. We rode about 20 miles in high >>>>>>> winds >>>>>>> to find and explore the bike route options in the city. Despite the >>>>>>> weather >>>>>>> we had a fantastic time. I highly recommend exploration by bike; it’s >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> best way to really KNOW a place. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Pictured is the halfway point of our ride; conveniently, at a coffee >>>>>>> shop in downtown. It made me ridiculously happy to see these two lovely >>>>>>> bikes parked together. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I think we should make this an official club ride for members who >>>>>>> want to use their bikes in the city, and there are getting to be more >>>>>>> members in that category all the time. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> (Formerly) Lone Wolf Leah >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in >>>>>> the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/vXB1eyTAsvY/unsubscribe >>>>>> . >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>>>> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> >>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/b0ca53c9-df57-4943-b009-a5202bc72aefn%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/b0ca53c9-df57-4943-b009-a5202bc72aefn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>> . >>>>>> [image: DSC00922.JPG] >>>>>> >>>>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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