Further to Friday’s post, here’s more on the two people who were arrested after what I like to imagine was a thrillingly cinematic car chase at Unbound Gravel:
Though in reality it was probably more like what happens when an elderly person puts the car in drive instead of reverse in a supermarket parking lot:
The pursuit began when a truck failed to obey traffic control measures related to the Unbound Gravel race and went through the intersection of Road 240 and J without slowing. The truck eventually collided with a Lyon County Sheriff’s Office cruiser, causing it to roll. The deputy was taken to Newman Regional Health for treatment and observation and has been released.
Ironically both the people arrested look like they could have been lining up to race against Lachlan Morton in the unsupported 250-mile Unbound Gravel XL:
Whether it’s season after season of ultra-endurance cycling or years of abusing “an unspecified controlled substance,” the effect of the physiognomy is essentially the same:
The Emporia Police Department located the truck in Emporia at Eighth and Merchant. The two occupants were removed from the vehicle and arrested. The driver, Kaitlynn Mundell, 32, of Emporia, was arrested for suspicion of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of an unspecified controlled substance, and traffic violations. The passenger of the truck, Preston Ashburn, 42, of Emporia, was charged with suspicion of obstructing legal process and possession of an unspecified controlled substance.
I mean come on, is this a professional cyclist or someone you would have stepped over on Avenue C in the 1980s?
[Via here.]
In fact, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that they really were endurance racers and only refused to stop because they were late for the start. As for the “unspecific controlled substance,” maybe the police just found their electrolyte powder and jumped to conclusions due to their haggard appearance:
Meanwhile, the bicycle itself is also hitting the kids–at least according to one opinion writer at Le Monde:
Hey, I’m not disputing the “symbol of aggression, selfishness and urban chaos” part, but when exactly was the bicycle the “epitome of cool?” This sounds more like the narrative arc of the motor scooter, which over the past six decades has gone from this…
To this:
But maybe it’s different in the streets of Paris, where it’s now chien mange chien:
It’s no longer just motorists against each another or cars versus pedestrians. The new surge of cyclists and other users of public roads are now pitted against each other, not to mention cyclists against cyclists. Once isolated and extremely vulnerable in the midst of the automobile melee, bicycles now rule the roads in Paris and many other cities.
They could learn a thing or two about comportment from Turkmenistan:
Did you know they invented World Bicycle Day?
The head of state also noted Turkmenistan’s initiative to establish World Bicycle Day. At Turkmenistan’s suggestion, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring June 3 World Bicycle Day.
Now that’s how you do orderly cycling:
And a wonderful time was had by all.
But what about bikes that are neither the “epitome of cool” nor a “symbol of urban chaos” and are just plain ugly?
Not only does “Wild Unreleased Factor” sounds like a Ted Nugent album, but we now seem to have arrived at the moment when aerodynamics and massive tire clearance have finally converged:
I’m sure it’s fast (especially with a pro rider on it), but I’ll stick with the Roadini, thankyouverymuch:
It’s the epitome of sensible.