Biking Weather - Missoula, Montana

Beautiful Easter Day to be out under God’s great heaven...and tomorrow’s forecast on my phone app shows a little snowflake with 70% chance of snow - I kid you not!  We’ll wait and see....

Forward Mobility - Missoula, Montana

"Tithing is like training wheels when it comes to giving. It's intended to help you get started, but not recommended for the Tour de France"

-John Ortberg

Cycling Luck - Missoula, Montana

"I thought of Virgil's words: Luck most often is accompanied with knowing what you are doing."

- from Iron Horse, Ch. 29, by Robert Knott

Cockeyed Optimist - Missoula, Montana

"I am an optimist. 
It does not seem too much use being anything else." 

- Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

Winter Courage - Missoula, Montana

"Get a bicycle. 
 
You will certainly not regret it.
 
If you live."  

– Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), US writer and humorist (1835-1910)

Interestingly enough, this particular bicycle was parked outside that venerable Missoula beverage establishment, Charlie B's.

Optimism, Missoula, Montana

“Sorry, old girl," I said to [the bicycle] Gladys in the gray dishwater light of early morning, "but I have to leave you at home."

I could see that she was disappointed, even though she managed to put on a brave face.

"I need you to stay here as a decoy," I whispered. "When they see you leaning against the greenhouse, they'll think I'm still in bed."

Gladys brightened considerably at the thought of a conspiracy. [...]

At the corner of the garden, I turned, and mouthed the words, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do," and Gladys signaled that she wouldn't.

I was off like a shot.”
- Alan Bradley, A Red Herring Without Mustard

Winter Driving, Missoula, Montana

Bundled up as I was - in big boots and toque - for an evening stroll, I was astonished at how many bicycles were parked downtown in Missoula. Even after this weekend’s prolific snowfall, I saw cycling commuters in this morning’s traffic. Brave or desperate, one can only hope a good story is behind such a transport decision, particularly as we actually have a public transit system.

Mobile Sewing, Missoula, Montana

Seems like everything is going mobile
these days, so why not a beloved sewing machine? This ensemble is a new twist on window dressing.

Meanwhile, Back At the Ranch, Missoula, Montana

So, for all you parents who still kick your kids outside to play, remember that it really is healthier than watching T.V., even if they cook up entertainment of the daring variety. Boys will be boys, and, as the song says, chicks dig it.

Utility and Art Bicycle, Missoula, Montana

“…I could see our makeshift nightstand: a TV tray holding an alarm clock, a tiny lamp, a box of Kleenex, and a small porcelain dish, put there, I knew, for Pete’s change. There was a cozy completeness to this utilitarian still life. It occurred to me that one of the values of going away was that you saw that something far less complex than what you were used to would do just fine.” -
from “The Art of Mending” by Elizabeth Berg

In the Pink, Missoula, Montana

I'm always amazed at how many people bike around Missoula when there's snow. One would think a sassy pink cruiser - with this dandy basket, no less - would bring happy thoughts to dispel some of the winter travel chill. That & Del's Place just down the street.

Marriage of Convenience

Being a college town, Missoula, Montana, has a lot of bicycles in services as a primary mode of transportation, even during the winter. This old iron fence hasn’t gone anywhere in decades & makes for a safe place to lock up.

My Groovy Blue Bike

Since I’ve mentioned biking in a previous post, here’s a portrait of my trusty wheels.
It’s such a happy blue - just seeing it in the garage kindles hope for spring.
I bought it at a flea market shop for $15, then had Valley Bicycles & Ski tune it up & replace the tyres.
A cool bonus is that it still has the original Ross decals on the frame, as well as a sticker from The Spoke Shop in Billings, MT.