Where Has All the Lycra Gone?

"Fort Collins is surprisingly lacking in lycra..."

This quote - regardless of accuracy - makes me giggle every time I read it. You see, it's phrases like this that end up in my "business journal of inspiration and accomplishment" (yea, that's a real thing).

It's true, though: Old Town Fort Collins has bikes all over. The riders are a blend of casual carnie-looking guys, boho-chic ladies, functional commuters, and business-casual retirees! The more you look around Old Town, the more you realize how often the cyclists are overlooked because they look surprisingly human. You know what I mean: everyday clothes, helmets optional, shoes of every variety...

If Fort Collins is Platinum on the bike-friendly scale (which it is, again!) and hales as home to the likes of Georgia Gould and TJ VanGarderen, there should be a healthy collection of lycra-clad Cyclists, right? So - where are they?!

A Map of Lycra For Your Viewing Pleasure!

Fort Collins is no stranger to traffic at all daylight hours excluding, perhaps, the "hangover" hours on holidays. As such, your daily exerciser takes the shortest and least-traffic route to either the fun mountain roads and trails, or the rolling plains. So no, there are not many lycra-clad riders in the cultural center of the city, but I promise you the train of grinning quintessential, lycra-wearing riders are a-plenty!

Cheers for now!

Adventure Jes

Pedaling with Cats: A Daydream

Sidecars.
Aviator goggles and leather helmets.
That one time we saved ourselves from sure destruction!

As you might expect, I find daydreaming about bikes a common occurrence. The chilly winter days and ice-covered streets and bike-ways understandably stimulate thoughts of sunshine, warm laughter, and summer afternoons filled with exciting discoveries and visiting "oldie but goodie" favorite places.

I wish... I really wish... my cat enjoyed biking as much as I do and would tag along without any fuss. Perhaps it's just his nature: he doesn't really like meeting new people, has a healthy fear of the Great Outdoors, and finds joy in sleeping in the sun. I hear this is pretty typical for cats.

Dream with me a moment, though: imagine a cat in the front basket of a bike! Better yet: a cat in a bicycle side-car wearing aviator goggles and a leather helmet!

We could explore nearby parks (he'd nap in the sunshine or climb the trees), play in the river (he'd keep his paws dry until a fish swam by), or enjoy people-watching at a local brewery's patio - maybe even make a few new friends! It would be endless fun!

Oh well, it was worth the daydream.

Cheers for now,

Adventure Jes