Books, Music and Bikes

Roger’s World – Monday May 17, 2010

For all you dog lovers there is an excellent book out right now called Oh My Dog. It is a resource that all dog owners should have. There is lots of information regarding how to determine the proper food, the importance of brushing your dog’s teeth, etc. Basically, it takes all of the information you might find on the internet and consolidates it into this book with consultation with the experts in the field to ensure accuracy. The proceeds from the book also go to the author’s (Beth Ostrosky) animal charity. It is an easy read too. If you can find a copy in your local bookstore, I strongly suggest you get a copy or ask them to order it in.

One of these days I will post a list of my top ten albums/groups/song of all time but until then, today I will offer up a link to one of those musicians who would be on my list in many categories – Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates. On his website http://www.livefromdarylshouse.com he  regularly has legends along with up and comers from the music world, drop by his house to jam. If want to see what true musicianship is, you need to tune in. Right now the most recent episode is an awesome tribute the late Tom “T-Bone” Wolk. Check out the Maxi Priest and Billy Ocean show too among others.

Finally, I hate to mention these incidents between cyclists and cars but that tragic accident in Quebec, and my ride this past weekend has forced me to. We don’t know all the details from the Quebec accident, but after getting the finger from an old lady for just waiting at an intersection for my turn to cross, you really have to wonder why some drivers are so aggressive towards cyclists. To help change this attitude all us cyclists need to follow the rules of the road (don’t just ride through stop signs or red lights) and stay to the right and don’t ride in the middle of the road unaware of what is behind you. I think these things seem to irritate drivers the most – even though they will go out of their way to swerve out of the way out of crack, rock or small animal in the road. But like I said in a previous column, Pay it Forward! Your “niceness” to that driver will hopefully be passed on as that driver encounters another cyclist down the road. Do the opposite and the driver will more likely to be not so nice to the next cyclist they come up upon. That cyclist could be you, so lets help each other out there. Be safe, smart and courteous when you are riding on the roads.

Catch you again next week, have a great Victoria Day weekend.

Roger