Popular Demand (or at least statistically significant demand))

Funny thing, this internet. Everywhere I go, someone always asks me, “Hey, you been up Mud Pike lately?” Sometimes people I’ve never met, such as the guy running the concession stand at the baseball game, ask me that question or some variation. “Headin’ for the pike? Still goin’ up Mud Pike every week? Still chasin’ trucks down Mud Pike…” You get the idea.

Funny thing, this internet. It has led to the addition of a new word to the local lexicon, “grimp.” “Grimp” substitutes for the words "riding bicycle", especially, riding bicycles up hills and mountains. “You grimp yesterday? ” "You grimping today?” "Great grimp Tuesday.” These are all phrases you’re certainly more likely to hear in West Virginia than in France.

Funny thing, this internet. It’s alum for the world, shrinking it down like Sylvester’s mouth on Sunday mornings of old. We share in adventures, both mundane and epic, around the corner and around the world. People throughout the States and in parts beyond have vicariously ridden Mud Pike in a great group ride. In turn, I have biked across the frozen North, ridden rollers in Japan, been dropped in Annapolis and pushed against free rolling winds in Waterloo, all in front of my 15.4 inch view screen (30% more screen information vs. 15 inch XGA. Ha! Take that.)

Funny thing, this internet. Literally, TENS of people have asked me when I’m writing another post. They actually like to read them. They actually care if it’s not there. We all do this, we bloggers and commenters, write little pieces, supposedly, for the entertainment of others. And, funny thing is, we do it for free (Except for NYC BikeSnob. I see he’s hit the big time and has an actual column in Bicycling magazine— Classic case of iconoclast turning into Icon. You are what you eat, I guess.) Really though, I, and most others, just tap it out for fun; if other people like it, that’s a bonus. But… just yesterday someone suggested I should submit some pieces to VeloNews’ back page or something. I don’t know about that. Don’t think I’m goin’ pro anytime soon. But… if some editor of some big time magazine is out there salivating over the idea of an overweight cyclist’s delusional ramblings, SHOW ME THE MONEY. I’d definitely churn something out more often. Oh, and Obama, if you’re reading, could you get the IRS off my back. They are really eating into my blog-time. Speaking of which, I’m outta time.