Hello everyone!
I'm currently reading two books... one of which came as a recommendation from Cory (the bike fixer). David Byrne, of Talking Heads fame, wrote a book called The Bicycle Diaries. It's very similar to the book called The Motorcycle Diaries... written by Ernesto "El Che" Guevara. In lieu of writing a book about bicycles, Byrne has put together the thoughts which come to him while touring the world on his bicycle(s). It's an introspective book filled with observations from the saddle of what is arguably the most useful machine ever invented. But this is not a preachy or soapbox-type of read. And the best part of The Bicycle Diaries is you don't need to be a cyclist to relate to Mister Byrne. You simply need a realistic point-of-view and a strong sense of reason.
The second book is called The Bicycle Book: Wit, Wisdom & Wanderings. This is most definitely a book for people who love bikes AND enjoy illustrations (comic strips). The book is quite simply a collection of bicycling essays, editorials, comics and interviews compiled by Jim Joyce. It's a fun and, at 152 pages, short read. In fact, I enjoyed the book so much I cracked open the Alley Cat anthology to which I contributed in 2007. I wish I would have known Eric 'The Vegan Ninja' Lappegard, the person for which the book was dedicated. I wish I'd have rediscovered my love for the "safety bicycle" prior to his passing. I wish I could have created comics with him... possibly comics about cycling.
Anyway...
Reading these books add to the appreciation I already have for my two-wheeler. And riding my bike to work and/or round-about town gives me extra time to appreciate my life (the missus, parents, siblings, extended family, friends, art, music, film, travel, etc). With only a month or two of decent Wisconsin riding weather left in 2011, I'm relishing every second I'm able to spend on the saddle of my Jamis. I hope you're relishing every second of your life too.
Happy reading!
Peace
- @
