Lox, Onion & Egg on Your Face

So, it appears that Chicago's "First Annual Rev. Jeremiah Wright Hymietown Classic Bike Tour" may not happen after all. Sadly, after Rev. Wright's comments this week in Hampton, Va., Hebrew National and, well, all of Hollywood and Wall Street have pulled out as tour sponsors. When asked about the rift with tour organizers, a Hebrew National spokesman declined comment, citing company policy that it only answer to a single, all-powerful being:



In any event, this news will undoubtedly prove disheartening for scores of avid cyclists, particularly those of the Yiddish persuasion. So, if cheering up is what you need, Chicago's Fork and the Road summer tour might be the perfect tonic. And if cycling in and of itself seems a bit too tedious, rest assured you'll be able to refresh your palette with some light fare (although I'm not sure all of this is kosher):


If a long ride such as Fork and the Road is what you have on the agenda, you'll want to make sure you have a comfortable place to sit while you digest. And when it comes to bike saddles, anyone can fall victim to the "form vs. function" pitfall, myself included. I have spent several months in denial about the Fizik saddle on Black Betty. Hell, I liked the way it looked and I told myself it would break in. I told myself when the weather got warmer, it would get more comfortable. Don't get me wrong, it's a great, fairly lightweight seat, but not made for commuting on North Ave. The more I lied to myself, the more I would show up at the office walking like Yosemite Sam.

Where am I going with this? Nowhere, actually, but I will say that buying bike components is second only to buying a new bike. And there's no better new bike part than the one that was purchased out of necessity. Now I'm not talking sweatpants 24/7 comfort. I haven't given up completely. Just smart and sensible but, you know, without the "crazy, can't hold a relationship together" rumors. After all, you've gotta look out for the matzoh balls.


On another note, don't forget that Bike to Work Week begins Saturday, clearly beginning two days prior to the actual work week to work out the technological kinks of encouraging people to get on their bikes. Bike to Work Week, of course, is brought to you by the Active Transportation Alliance (formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation). I might be overreacting, but I feel like the "bike to work" message might get lost in the political machine of an organization that also lobbies for "walking" and "transit." All I'm saying is that someone who may or may not have been an Active Transportation Alliance employee blew by me on Chicago Ave. this morning while riding(?) one of these. I'm just sayin'.

But whatever you do, be sure to cease biking to work at the end of "Bike to Work Week" for fear of doing something that isn't sanctioned by a coalition of walkers and skate/scooters. Nothing is ever as it seems.

-TGOTB