Life in the Bike Lane Tom Frady It’s easy to tuna fish, but if you could teach it to ride a bike, you’d really have something. I was thumbing through my latest issue of Scientific American the other day when I ran across two-page chart (and you seven loyal readers know how I love charts) comparing the moving efficiencies of various forms of animal and mechanical locomotion. If you are reading this you will be happy to know you are a more efficient runner than a rat.  I am ass

Life in the Bike Lane by Tom Frady There’s a rhythm to a good social ride, and at the heart of it—the steady backbeat that keeps the whole thing in time—is the donut stop. We might call it “refueling”, but the donut stop isn’t just a pause in the ride; it’s the reason for it.  It’s the reward, the gathering, the understanding that all roads, eventually, lead to caffeine and conversation. When I’m the ride leader, I first decide which donut shop I need  to experience, then bui

Life in the Bike Lane Tom Frady When I first started to get serious about cycling, I almost always rode alone.  I lived in a small mountain community with no bike club and I don’t think I ever saw anyone on a road bike.  One of my early goals was to do a solo century, which I did, on a cold February day. After retiring, moving and joining an active bike club, I have found I enjoy the company of my cycling friends. The chatter, the friendly competition, the mid-ride donut and

Life in the Bike Lane Tom Frady I sometimes wonder what non-cyclists must think of us. (Not that I really care, but you do like me, don’t...

Life in the Bike Lane Tom Frady Every time I get on my bike, I wonder if what I’m doing is closer to science or closer to art. Well, not...

Life in the Bike Lane Tom Frady I’ll admit it — I have a distorted view of age, at least when it comes to cycling. Ninety-nine and a half...

Saturday July 12th Bruce Campbell, Mike Rubino and I successfully completed the 44th Annual Markleeville Death Ride. Thank you and the...

Life in the Bike Lane Tom Frady For avid cyclists, being off the bike for a protracted period feels like losing a piece of themselves....

Life in the Bike Lane by Tom Frady I know it’s hard for you seven loyal readers to believe this about a far-from-professional columnizer...

Life In the Bike Lane By Tom Frady We knew it all along, didn’t we?  Cyclists are just smarter.  But what does cycling actually do for...

Life in the Bike Lane By Tom Frady After over 30 years, June 1 -7, 2025 will be the last AIDS/LifeCycle, a charity ride from San...

The Bike Column By Tom Frady Recently, I took a couple of hours of my precious retirement time to observe motorists at stop signs.  I sat...

Life in the Bike Lane By Tom Frady   Bike riding is freedom.  No matter your route, you’re getting away. Like many, if not most people, I...

Life in the Bike Lane By Tom Frady I was reminded recently during one of our usual morning rides, what a beautiful area this is.  Recent...

Life in the Bike Lane - Tom Frady Several years ago, when I was brand new to bike riding, I traveled to San Luis Obispo to visit my...

Life in the Bike Lane - Tom Frady Mrs. Bike Lane and I had driven down to Folsom last week and I was feeling a little down because I have...

Life in the Bike Lane - Tom Frady I’d like to ask you nine loyal readers help me to delete a few tropes from the general argot in the...

Life in the Bike Lane Tom Frady You six or seven (I’ve gotten confused over the exact number) loyal readers know I have never met a 50...

Life in the Bike Lane Tom Frady A couple of weeks ago my riding posse had stopped to regroup at the corner of Rocklin Road and Pacific,...

Life in the Bike Lane Tom Frady I don’t really care for New Year’s resolutions. Although I recognize the holiday season from, oh, about...