Now here is a man secure in his masculinity...

[wabisabi]

So, I swear this is something I have never done before. I was taking a short ride after work on Tuesday when I happened upon a touring cyclist lost in what we call the "bottoms," among farms and ranches on the coast. Rather than try and explain how to get into town, I decided to ride with him and show him the way. I explained that we really don't have any motels in Arcata, except for a rather pricey old hotel, and, taking pity on him, I told him he was welcome to camp in my yard. It turns out that he is from England, and came over to pick up the bike in Eugene, and then to tour down the coast to San Fran. I think he underestimated the difficulty of the hills a bit, and he also had a bit of an accident with the new bike and trailer, etc., and my very latent maternal instinct must have kicked in--I am probably old enough to be his mother. I fed him, we watched the Dylan documentary, and actually had a good time. He left yesterday for SF.

I have to admit, I was rather taken with his MAGENTA Bike Friday, and told him I woudl have to post his picture to this list, because a man confident enough to ride a pink bike would surely be appreciated by all of us!

[Trekhawk]

I have to admit, I was rather taken with his MAGENTA Bike Friday, and told him I woudl have to post his picture to this list, because a man confident enough to ride a pink bike would surely be appreciated by all of us!

Wabisabi - Good for you. He must have been relieved to find a nice place to rest his weary body. Love that bit about the bike colour - if girls can ride blue bikes why not guys on pink bikes.

[seagrape]

Wow... He looks like a Brit (My DH is one, so I know what I'm talking about...)

I'm glad that it worked out and you were able to help him (and that he wasn't a nutter!)...

Peace...

[DeniseGoldberg]

I love the magenta Friday, but what I like even more was your conversation and helping him find his way through town, plus your offer of a place to camp. I've been on both sides of that kind of hospitality - from sharing my home with a touring cyclist, to being that touring cyclist and receiving hospitality from folks who live in the area that I'm riding through. And I can tell you the type of hospitality you offered is greatly appreciated!

--- Denise

[shewhobikes]

and photo. I bet the folks over on www.girlbike.com would appreciate both!

[KSH]

He was TOURING on that bike? Dang. It's so *small*... looks hard to really get going fast on that bike!

Yea... he's British... so... not so odd his bike is Magenta. The men over there carry "man bags" with pride.

You were very kind to help him out... he will go back telling his friends good things about Americans! You represented America well!

[DeniseGoldberg]

He was TOURING on that bike? Dang. It's so *small*... looks hard to really get going fast on that bike!

Actually, Bike Fridays ride just like "big wheel" bikes. They have small wheels, but the gear inches are a combination of the wheel size, cluster size, and chain rings. I have 2 touring bikes, one a Bike Friday and the other a custom-built diamond frame bike with 700c wheels. The difference? The chain rings on my little-wheeled bike are bigger than the chain rings on my big-wheeled bike. And the gearing is exactly the same on the two bikes - so it's no harder to get to the same speed with my little-wheeled bike. If anything, the Bike Friday turns faster with its smaller wheels.

--- Denise

[wabisabi]

Exactly, Denise, that was how he explained it, that it is also sized the same as a "normal" sized bike in the important parts, where the rider's body fits to it, it is porportionately the same.

I am so impresed that someone could come to a strange place on his own and immerse himself in the culture with almost no 'cushion' to make it easier--it is so touching, really, that it seemed a small gesture to offer friendship. Those of you who do it are my heroines. and, I am glad to represent the friendly aspect of the U.S.

One of my dogs fell completely in love with him, I think; she would rest her little head on his knee and gaze up lovingly at him, although she alway has been quite the flirt.