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Brain Farts :: 1.20.2005
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After searching far and wide for a worthy brain fart topic, I could only come up with kernels of rants and praise. Then I thought of this cool column that the Columbia Journalism Review does, called “Darts and Feathers.” The column’s author assigns several feathers and darts each issue to journalists who have done something to deserve praise or ridicule. So, without further adue, I bring to you, “Wheelies and Endoes.” Here goes:
Wheelie
I heard it on KQED on Internet radio this morning, and I couldn’t have been more proud. That’s why a wheelie goes to Code Pink activists for doing what I wish I would’ve done during Bush’s inaugural speech. In case you didn’t hear it for yourself, the largely unreported report is reported here. Read the entire article to find out why certain activists were escorted from the inaugural speech premises and why others were not.
Wheelie
When local authorities threatened access to trails at Nisene Marks State Park, Fox Shox started their Free The Trails campaign, which sold T-shirts creatively proclaiming, “Free the Trails” for $10 per shirt. In addition to creating a unique campaign that benefited IMBA, Fox decided against sending out Christmas cards in favor of raising money for IMBA. Similarly, Veltec Sports, distributor of brands such as Easton and Sidi, ditched the holiday mailing so they could donate $2,000 to Bikes Belong. For that, Veltec and Fox Racing Shox, I award you a Wheelie.
Endo
The biggest Endo, no wait, a Double Endo goes to the town of Lawson, Missouri for actually enforcing their “No Bikes” law, and fining a man with MS, no less! Recently, the city fined Ed Chasteen for pushing his bicycle in a place he’s been riding for years. Chasteen has MS and has difficulty walking, but finds riding his bike a much easier mode of transportation. Instead of realizing that their policy was ridiculous, the city prosecuted Chasteen and fined him $75 plus court costs.
Let’s see, a town essentially tells its kids (that’s who the ban was aimed at in the first place) that they should be fat and lazy and reliant on their parents, and then fines a man who has no better way to get around. I’m boycotting Lawson. Read about the bizarre incident and the lawyer who was fired for not prosecuting Chasteen, here.
Wheelie
The Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE) just landed a $75,000 grant with the help of Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich. MORE’s outstanding work building and maintaining trails has earned them the opportunity to keep building and developing trails on lands the state calls, “brownfields.” Brownfields are post-industrial areas that are often contaminated. The unknown risks and liabilities associated with the areas make them unattractive to developers—but mountain bikers, hell, we’ll take any land we can get! MORE, you get a big Wheelie for your outstanding work!
Well folks, that’s it for Wheelies and Endoes. If you liked what you read, email your suggestions with “wheelies and endoes” in the subject field to editor@dirtragmag.com for who should receive a Wheelie or Endo and why.
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