An Amusement & Diversion for The Genteel Cyclist. Daily.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Variations in the 10-meter dash


David Cameron, the Conservative Party leader in the UK and a legendary bike advocate, has had his bicycle nicked.

He stopped at a supermarket on his way home, to pick up some items for dinner, and left his mountain bike locked to a bollard, a short and stout barrier whose main purpose is to block vehicle traffic while letting pedestrians pass. Mr. Cameron would regret the decision minutes later. According to a witness quoted by The Evening Standard, “a couple of kids hanging around” quickly saw their opportunity. In a swift motion, they demonstrated how Mr. Cameron’s bike-locking skills fall far short of his political prowess. “They just picked it up and ran off,” the witness said, referring to the bike and the chain.


Well, aside from the obvious joke -- conservative, not firmly anchored to reality, instant karma, etc. -- it makes me realize that there should be a sort of international rating system for how long you have in any given city using the messenger method of locking your bike, that is, locking the bike to itself, front wheel to frame.


I'd bet dollars to disk brakes that London and New York would top the list and give you just a few nanoseconds, whereas in a genteel town like Minneapolis you can actually sit down and have a cup of coffee and a scone, check your email, administer your daily dose of EPO or CERA.