It's Hard To Spin Positively

I Just had to place the ly on Positive above ... sorry.

Here's the reason for the negativity: some neanderthal, with his posse, tried to steal the nicest BMX bike we had in the store today. Fortunately for us, he never dreamed that Mike would catch him so easily. As we experience more negative stuff at the shop, it seems to solicit more negative stories related to people stealing, or attempting to steal bikes. So, why is that? Why is it that scum bags like the person in our store today, feel that they have a right to take somebodies bike?

Here is my true life story - I got my first real job at a bank in Boston. I had just gotten married and was still in school, so we were extremely conscious of spending on wasteful things, like cars. Anyhow, I bought a cheap 10-speed and commuted to work each day. I chained the bike to a pole. Within two weeks, it was gone. Ever the optimist, I went back and got another, at a cost of roughly one weeks net pay. The new bike lasted about three weeks, because the (not so sympathetic) Boston police advised me to leave it parked at a different spot each day. Anyhow, I bought a third ... it was gone in about two weeks and I was back on the subway.

I'd be willing to bet that, at the very least, we all know of or have had a bike stolen. We hear it almost every day. If it's not the whole bike, it's the saddle or a wheel or whichever part can be taken.

I doubt that the thieves are going to read this blog, but if you are, cut that shit out!

Bettcha He Drives a Hummer

Ben sent me a link that I am compelled to share:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip8nozp7vs8
This is Patrick McHenry the US Congressional Representative from the 10th district in North Carolina.
This all seems a bit silly but, exerpted below is the paragraph from the Renewable Energy Act of 2007 that got rep. McHenry in a snit:
SEC. 205. EXTENSION OF TRANSPORTATION FRINGE BENEFIT TO
BICYCLE COMMUTERS.

(a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 132(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to general rule for qualified transportation fringe) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``(D) Any qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement.''.
(b) Limitation on Exclusion.--Paragraph (2) of section 32(f) of such Code is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (A), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting ``, and'', and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(C) the applicable annual limitation in the case of any qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement.''.
(c) Definitions.--Paragraph (5) of section 132(f) of such Code (relating to definitions) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(F) Definitions related to bicycle commuting
reimbursement.--
``(i) Qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement.--The term ‘qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement' means, with respect to any calendar year, any employer reimbursement during the 15-month period beginning with the first day of such calendar year for reasonable expenses incurred by the employee during such calendar year for the purchase of a bicycle and bicycle improvements, repair, and storage, if such bicycle is regularly used for travel between the employee's residence and place of employment.
``(ii) Applicable annual limitation.--The term `applicable annual limitation' means, with respect to any employee for any calendar year, the product of $20 multiplied by the number of qualified bicycle commuting months during such year.
``(iii) Qualified bicycle commuting month.--The term
`qualified bicycle commuting month' means, with respect to any employee, any month during which such employee-- ``(I) regularly uses the bicycle for a substantial portion of the travel between the employee's residence and place of employment, and
``(II) does not receive any benefit described in
subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1).''.

(d) Constructive Receipt of Benefit.--Paragraph (4) of section 132(f) is amended by inserting ``(other than a qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement)'' after
``qualified transportation fringe''.
(e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.
Now, you've all heard the term, "lawyer-speak", this is a fine example. It seems to me that perhaps, a better use of congressional time may be to suggest language more like, "hey, take out zero and insert $20.00 under the part about employer re-imbursement for riding your bike to work."
I would also be remiss if I did not add, that we all should be contacting our congressional representatives, from both houses, to be sure that they support any benefit that may accrue from riding a bike.
Thanks for tuning in - get out and ride!

Revolution Racks Race Recognition!!

This past weekend at the Ore to Shore Race, rad Revolution riders racked up race recognition with results. Returning home riders raved about rocks rising higher than rainbows. Referees registered results with great reception of St. Cloud Revolution riders. Results read over the radio rattled competitors radiant smiles and rammed them into the red rasberry patches of the race course. " Mike Schroden 2nd (in class), Kyia Malenkovich (2nd overall), Kate Foley (3rd in class), Sheila Amo (2nd in class). Riders revealed rags helpful as rain receded in record levels. Rashes raped robust riders. But regardless of their recrudescent skin riders' radars stayed rich with visions of rewarding raffles and ran the course ridculously rapid. Ramping up to collect ransom, riders returned home for ranch dressing and raisins.

Congrats all Revolution Riders at Ore to Shore !!!!


Oh yea! Also to mention is Josh Gold's 28th overall and 5th in the bike finish at the Northwoods Triathlon and our remorse to Andy Schlicht who crashed 200m from the finish at the Birchwood Road Race. Road Rash will heal, his snapped fork won't but Andy, I know some good fella's in a store in St. Cloud who will be more that happy to help out.

Remember to Ride Revolutioneers!
Regards

Revolution Rejects Rumor

It has yet to issue an official statement, but an un-named source at awesome bike shop, Revolution Cycle and Ski, has denied rumors that it has purchased the Discovery Pro Cycling Team. The source said something along the lines of, who needs em? and hung up the phone.

More as things develop.

Revolving Around - Thoughts on Cycling

The Revolution Cycle and Ski site isn't set up so that we can have visitors respond to either the site, or what you have seen in the store or anything else. So, we thought that we'd set up a blog where we can wax on about the joys of riding a bike. You can write back and tell us that we're full of prunes or write about your own cycling experiences, favorite rides or anything else you care to comment on.
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