The Joy of Slow Riding
Thread started by
Girl Power at 03.17.10 - 2:01 pm
Here is an interesting article about slow riding v. speed riding. I could relate to the part about the fast bikes being a bit of a turn-off. As a driver it never looked like much fun, having that hard seat up your butt, racing through traffic whilst facing the ground. So for years I avoided it.
Then I met my dream bike, my Giant beach cruiser, it's sits me up so that my back is comfortably straight and my jawline is parallel to the ground so I get to see the horizon, the sky and enjoy all the sights and it forces me to sit in a 'relaxed' body position....which is...relaxing!
Article:http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/safety-experts-urge-cyclists-to-sit-up-and-take-notice-20100315-q9of.html
The Slow Bike Movement has begun.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19375798739&ref=ts
http://jorgandolif.com/#1
Mexico City Chic Cyclists!
http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/
Girls wanna look cute when they ride!
http://www.cyclechic.be/?p=2805
Lots of great links to fashionable slow bikes and bike fashions.
http://twitter.com/_Cycle_Chic
I think they may be onto something by appealing to motorists who are more mainstream and finding a way to make cycling less intimidating to them.
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Hey Girl Power,
you are preaching to the choir here. MR is not about fast rides. Yes, some rides are fast (Wolfcamp, Bicykillers, Cubcamp and others) but most are not. This website is mostly about social rides, ie rides where social interaction is more important than athletic performance.
What rides have you been on that you thought were faster than necessary?
marino03.17.10 - 2:14 pm
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I'm not a salesperson, I'm not affiliated (own) with any of the sites that I posted. I don't make any money or get anything if they are patronized.
I'm TRYING to get more people to ride who would otherwise never ride because they are intimidated by fast, uncomfortable bikes (fixies, road bikes, etc) and would therefore prefer to sit in a car. Have a nice day! (you weener! LOL)
Girl Power responding to a
comment by Jet-son
03.17.10 - 2:22 pm
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I love riding slow. In the Netherlands I rode across the country slowly loving every km of it... but here in LA when I'm not slow riding with the Ridazz I have to ride fast to meld with traffic and overtake lanes and intersections. its a safety issue.
Roadblock03.17.10 - 2:24 pm
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I thought CM, Pizza Saturday and many MNRR are too fast for me, in the sense that I really have to huff it to keep up. Slow riding is about 9-11 mph. especially on a cruiser where you body is upright creating a wall of wind resistance.
But, slow riding is more enjoyable - especially to people who prefer cars to bikes, and those are the types of people who need encouragement to ride more and drive less. Right? :)
Girl Power responding to a
comment by marino
03.17.10 - 2:25 pm
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I agree, and I do go faster to change lanes and get through intersections, but that is about it, then I cruise. I notice people in cars notice me and they smile and wave, and I smile and wave back and invite them to ride and I would not have that experience if I was speeding around town facing the pavement.
Girl Power responding to a
comment by Roadblock
03.17.10 - 2:28 pm
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WHOA .. back the truck up ... MNR? FAST? 13mph is not fast ... the listing clearly says "If you bring your beach cruiser, make sure you are fit enough to push all that weight. We don't go fast, but I have yet to see more than 3 beach cruisers finish the ride"..
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 2:31 pm
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OFF Topic:
Hey Marino,
You sure looked good in the wedding dress, with the big stain, last weekend.
And it looks like you spilled something on your dress, too. (JB, lol, jk!)
You Tore it up on the dance floor. Solo & w/ DJ Chicken Leather...
Gern responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
03.17.10 - 2:32 pm
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When I took the girl I met from Switzerland on a bike ride to the beach, she said the first thing she would buy if she lived here would be a beach cruiser. I laughed.
braydon03.17.10 - 2:35 pm
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I think they may be onto something by appealing to motorists who are more mainstream and finding a way to make cycling less intimidating to them.
i disagree with this. traffic and cars are intimidating to anyone on a bike. but being on a beach cruiser (which is slow and heavy and has handlebars that set your arms out wider than your shoulders) just makes you take up more room on the road and gets more cars to honk at you or swerve at you or whatever.
ruinedbyidiots03.17.10 - 2:38 pm
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" just makes you take up more room on the road and gets more cars to honk at you or swerve at you or whatever."
I have not been honked at once, and people give me much more room when I'm on my cruiser than they did when I'm was on my ten-speed Schwinn varsity. I knew that this thread would get a lot of 'hate', but, I want to be there to support people who would otherwise not ride.
And, ojsnapson, we don't ride 13 mph, we go 13 to 18 mph, that is moderate, not slow, but I'm not complaining, I'm just saying it would be great to have a truly slow ride with a bunch of beach cruisers.
You ride a fixie and you like riding with other fixies so it's understandable that I would feel the same way. I meant no offense. :)
Girl Power responding to a
comment by ruinedbyidiots
03.17.10 - 2:43 pm
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yeah I agree.
I tried to ride my beach cruiser on the street (to get to the beach to beach cruise) and I quickly turned around and went home. I felt extremely vulnerable.
shotgunBOOMBOOM responding to a
comment by ruinedbyidiots
03.17.10 - 2:44 pm
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I'm just saying it would be great to have a truly slow ride with a bunch of beach cruisers.
these happen all the time...at the beach!
so stoked for pier pressure!!
shotgunBOOMBOOM responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 2:45 pm
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and now we have come to the part of the thread where anything resembling a counterpoint is "hate".
ruinedbyidiots responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 2:47 pm
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so much drama in the h818
i miss
_iJunes responding to a
comment by ruinedbyidiots
03.17.10 - 2:48 pm
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"'m just saying it would be great to have a truly slow ride with a bunch of beach cruisers"
So post the ride.
Kakihara responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 2:49 pm
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If your from the H818 ... your will always be a H8ter ...
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by _iJunes
03.17.10 - 2:52 pm
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"I have not been honked at once"
If cars are not honking... it may not be the bike.
md2 responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 2:53 pm
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LOL I'm not been honked at for "being in the way". Better? You guys are too funny!
Girl Power responding to a
comment by md2
03.17.10 - 3:01 pm
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Pier Pressure is THE slowest ride ever to grace the pages of mr.com. NO JOKE.
We ride slow so that you don't have toooooooooo!
BICYKILLER03.17.10 - 3:03 pm
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awe... you're a good sport... i like you...
md2 responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 3:03 pm
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I find this hard to believe... Im sure everyone at least once has got a "GTFO" honk
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 3:03 pm
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http://midnightridazz.com/viewStory.php?storyId=1461
Charlie03.17.10 - 3:05 pm
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why not enjoy your beach cruiser when your by yourself or with friends, and when you go out to rides take something faster and lighter.
BoneCrush03.17.10 - 3:05 pm
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The "hater" comment was towards the person who called me a "salesperson".
Obviously this thread is not for everyone. i.e. the testosterone brigade..so just ignore it and let people who would be interested in slow cruiser rides get some valuable information. Toodles!
Girl Power responding to a
comment by ruinedbyidiots
03.17.10 - 3:09 pm
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self-important noobs make the best trolls
feels like nsb all over again
_iJunes03.17.10 - 3:09 pm
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Oh, so now I'm a "liar" and "hater" too. LOL Someone needs to chill.
Girl Power responding to a
comment by OsnapsonJC
03.17.10 - 3:10 pm
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“Obviously this thread is not for everyone”
Nor is every ride for everyone. Pick the ones you are comfortable with or do your own rather than complaining or trying to change an already established one you had no hand in creating.
Kakihara responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 3:13 pm
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I ride everywhere ... all over .... its just hard to even imagine going 10 mph in the street and not one person honks ....
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 3:14 pm
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PRO TIP: make any bike slower by letting the air out.
_iJunes03.17.10 - 3:15 pm
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no.. but maybe you just don't ride as much, and thus MAYBE results in this dichotomy you introduced between slow (no honk receiving riders) and not-so-slow (more honk receiving riders).
The issue is your article.
1. If cities had SAFE cyclist infrastrature --> more people would ride
2. If (1) occured, there would still be people complaining about bike seat comfort, not wanting to ride fast... blah, blah, blah...
The real issue is that more people need to feel comfortable riding bicycles, but the comfort issue has WAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY more to do with the comfort of not being hit by some asshole driver, rather than how your asshole will feel.
md2 responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 3:17 pm
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I'm not complaing, I cited an article that says that most drivers won't convert to riding via fast bikes. That's not me, that's the study done in Sydney.
I just added my thoughts. As for change, anyone can attempt change for anything they want. It's a FREE country! And I'm not trying to change any established rides, just adding information for people who are not comfortable on fast bikes.
I mean, most rides are really young guys on fast bikes, most drivers are all ages and like different levels of comfort. If they come on here and see my thread and want to write me and create a ride/new bike culture then so be it! Don't be so afraid of change or feel so insecure. You don't have to ride with me! So, to follow your own advice: "Pick the ones you are comfortable with or do your own rather than complaing..."
Toodles!
Girl Power responding to a
comment by Kakihara
03.17.10 - 3:19 pm
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Good lord, now I know why Ayla left the MR rides and started an 'all girl' ride... You guys just can't seem to take any differing ideas. You want woman on the ride, but you call them "poon" and don't seem to know how to attract them to the rides when truly slow cruiser bike rides would do just that. LOL
Girl Power responding to a
comment by md2
03.17.10 - 3:22 pm
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I understood your OP
But everybody wants to put in their 2 cents. So just let em.
Joe Borfo03.17.10 - 3:23 pm
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is this reverse sexism - all girls ride slow and ride beach cruisers?
ruinedbyidiots responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 3:23 pm
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Come on you have got to be kidding me ...
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 3:25 pm
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ha...poor girl...her post got beat up
Jet-son03.17.10 - 3:32 pm
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I was not referring the the articles you posted, but to this comment you made:
"I thought CM, Pizza Saturday and many MNRR are too fast for me, in the sense that I really have to huff it to keep up. Slow riding is about 9-11 mph. especially on a cruiser where you body is upright creating a wall of wind resistance."
POON POWER!
**end transmission**
Kakihara responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 3:35 pm
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wrong.
Shes just not skilled yet at dishing it back.
One day she will ... In Yer Mouf.
(but most people just run away)
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by Jet-son
03.17.10 - 3:36 pm
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I think bicycling is like SEX. Sometimes you like to go slow, and sometimes, fast and hard to the finish. I guess It depends on the mood, and what you are riding---oops, I mean what kind of bike you are riding!
speedybrian200003.17.10 - 3:37 pm
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My gf has a cruiser road bike and usually rides comfortably at 13mph. She comes with me on the bigger rides because, car wise, it's safer. I wouldn't want her to try the smaller ones I go on because sometimes we ride as fast as we can for as long as we can.
But if u started a slower ride on the weekend, we'd show up.
ScooterHayes03.17.10 - 3:38 pm
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This is still one of my favorite parts of any movie .. thanks ...
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by Jet-son
03.17.10 - 3:45 pm
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Im with RBI on that one...
I think people can ride what they want, but I don't think a lack of utility bikes has anything to do with LA drivers not riding.
Moreover we DO NOT have an adult helmet law, so I dont see an excuse there either.
My point was in reference to your article. Its not the beach cruiser versus race bike; it is the dangers of riding in traffic, because our city is soooo car-centric.
hence, its about asshole drivers, and not about how our butts will feel at the end of the day.
Make the city safer for cyclist, and then we can debate whether people are still reluctant because some young guy on a fast bike looks fast.
I hope that eases the issue a bit
md2 responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 3:48 pm
reply
Demographic information is always good too. :)
Personally, I was not enticed to start riding over driving til I saw people on cruisers doing it. So I could relate to the study, but, that's just me! Have a nice day! :)
Girl Power responding to a
comment by md2
03.17.10 - 3:52 pm
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As long as we ride in the street we need to ride with flow of car traffic.
Amsterdam is a different story. (separated from car traffic)
Joe Borfo03.17.10 - 3:59 pm
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My butt feels great at the end of the day on my road bike. I think it likes the attention from drivers
Gav03.17.10 - 4:23 pm
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Slow ride, take it easy - Slow ride, take it easy,
Slow ride, take it easy - Slow ride, take it easy.
I'm in the mood, the rhythm is right,
Move to the music, we can roll all night.
Oooh, oooh, slow ride - oooh, oooh ...
Slow ride, take it easy
Slow ride, take it easy
Slow ride, take it easy - Slow ride, take it easy
Slow down, go down, got to get your lovin' one more time
Hold me, roll me, slow ridin' woman you're so fine
{Rod and Dave riffs}
Woo!
I'm in the mood, the rhythm is right,
Move to the music yea, we can roll all night, yea.
Oooh, oooh ...
Slow ride, take it easy - Slow ride, take it easy
Slow down, go down, got to get your lovin' one more time
Hold me, roll me, slow ridin' woman you're so fine
(Slow ride, easy, slow ride, sleazy - Slow ride, easy, slow ride, sleazy)
coldcut03.17.10 - 5:25 pm
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am i the only one who thought of this song when i saw the title? lol
and girl power -- that first article you posted is retarded (i'm not saying anything about your point!) they think that helmets shouldn't be mandatory? wtf? i understand if you're not gonna make it legally required, but everyone should have to wear a helmet..... for the sakes of themselves.
i've talked to countless people about trying to get them out biking (men and women) and every reply has been "i'm scared of LA traffic" or "i dont trust the drivers" we need to focus on better cycling infrastructure, not getting more slow as hell people crawling at 5-10 mph on busy roadways.... i'm not saying slow people are a bad thing per se, but it wouldn't make most drivers want to ride a bike if they're constantly having to avoid and drive around incredibly slow people
keep in mind the fact that you're riding in the valley..... where traffic is not nearly as bad or angry as it can be or can on the cool side of the hill...... drivers over here can be pretty crazy. especially in ktown. so dont be surprised when people dont believe that you've never gotten a honk. the fact that you're a girl could be contributing to that fact too.
there are mosey rides. i'm realizing the fact is that you're just slow (no offense, there's nothing wrong with it AT ALL), at least on your beach cruiser. so take it to mosey rides. build that muscle up so you can push if faster! otherwise, take out that schwinn you mentioned.
because CM, MNR, and the pizza ride were not remotely fast at all.... i actually consider these to be slow paced. i actually think everyone does
superblueman3 responding to a
comment by coldcut
03.17.10 - 5:49 pm
reply
also,
"Good lord, now I know why Ayla left the MR rides and started an 'all girl' ride... You guys just can't seem to take any differing ideas. You want woman on the ride, but you call them "poon" and don't seem to know how to attract them to the rides when truly slow cruiser bike rides would do just that. LOL"
none of us call girls poon seriously, that was a troll.
we want women on rides who can ride and have fun with us..... not women who will come and drop out in the first mile because they cant keep up on their 30 pound bike
superblueman303.17.10 - 5:52 pm
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I wouldn't want her to try the smaller ones I go on because sometimes we ride as fast as we can for as long as we can.
Wouldn't want her to? Why? Afraid she might show you up?
shotgunBOOMBOOM responding to a
comment by ScooterHayes
03.17.10 - 6:00 pm
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yes because CLEARLY that is the problem that the OP states in the thread
_iJunes responding to a
comment by shotgunBOOMBOOM
03.17.10 - 6:04 pm
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Haha.
Nope. I wish she could. It'd be great if she could keep up. Critical mass tires her out, if that's any indication of her stamina level.
She's tried RWNN and had trouble. We had to head back early. Same thing with the Pink Floyd ride last week. :(
It's all good.
ScooterHayes responding to a
comment by shotgunBOOMBOOM
03.17.10 - 6:40 pm
reply
maybe it's the bike she's on? oh wait. style... uh yeah . i dont remember why I'm even posting.
Joe Borfo03.17.10 - 6:55 pm
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I though there was a law requiring you to!
buckchin responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
03.17.10 - 7:05 pm
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If you are just one rider taking up an entire lane then that's true, however even on a fast bike you can't expect to maintain 35-40 mph or more.
I rode along side traffic at a slower pace all afternoon today and had no problems, I only went fast to cross intersections and change lanes. Take care. :)
p.s. When I came out of the store there was a DOM (dirty old man) stroking my cruiser! :( I said: "CAN I HELP YOU?(!!!)" and he farted off. :p
Girl Power responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
03.17.10 - 7:06 pm
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I think I need to seek professional help.
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by buckchin
03.17.10 - 7:10 pm
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I think MR would need help if you stopped.
buckchin responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
03.17.10 - 7:20 pm
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"She's tried RWNN and had trouble. We had to head back early. Same thing with the Pink Floyd ride last week. :("
You must have me confused with someone else, I've just done MNR, CM, VG and SPR...I don't know what rides you're talking about.
Besides, you've missed my point, I'm talking about how fast bikes don't appeal to drivers the way that cruisers do. That is what the article is about too. And my hope is to get more people out of their cars and on bikes without feeling intimidated.
Girl Power responding to a
comment by ScooterHayes
03.17.10 - 7:29 pm
reply
I think he's talking about hes girl friend
My gf has a cruiser road bike and usually rides comfortably at 13mph. She comes with me on the bigger rides because, car wise, it's safer. I wouldn't want her to try the smaller ones I go on because sometimes we ride as fast as we can for as long as we can.
But if u started a slower ride on the weekend, we'd show up.
ScooterHayes
03.17.10 - 3:38 pm
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buckchin responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 7:40 pm
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All I've got to say is "Go slow, look like a pro. Go fast, look like an ass."
This applies to any vehicle.
As far as getting honked at, that has dropped down considerably since the incarnation of my "Kenworth horns".
Now it's rolling past an open window and smelling extreme manure.
bentstrider03.17.10 - 7:44 pm
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this thread is confusing
with that he said she said bowlsheeut...
Jet-son03.17.10 - 7:48 pm
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theres a great article on the previous edition of MB action magazine called "The Fine Art of Going Slow". it details all the perks and benefits gained from a slow ride vs a fast ride. i cant find it to save my life so if someone could look it up...
sancho103.17.10 - 7:58 pm
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It takes at least a year of practice to figure out bentstriderisms. You'll get it!
buckchin responding to a
comment by Jet-son
03.17.10 - 8:00 pm
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Cute pic! I love SP!
More cute boys on slow bikes! >>>>
(That'll attract the "poon". LOL)
Girl Power responding to a
comment by coldcut
03.17.10 - 8:29 pm
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I'm pretty sure that is a girl
and as an owner of "poon" I don't feel any magnetism towards those people at all. just look at the crap they are riding.
shotgunBOOMBOOM responding to a
comment by Girl Power
03.17.10 - 8:41 pm
reply
One less road bike
A proper bike
Gav03.17.10 - 8:48 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
Hot guy on a slow bike! Hehehe! 
Poon magnet! >>>
More poon magnet! >>>>
All this poon can't be wrong! LOL >>>
