Letter to the editor



C

Claire Petersky

Guest
In the paper this morning, a letter to the editor:

---
Pedal Pushers: They don't suit everyone

You're still publishing letters from dreamers. Taking bikes to work!
["Exercise between miles," Northwest Voices, March 24.] That might be fine
for young men with their pants, low-heeled sturdy shoes, and hair easily
combed. It's ridiculous for many women, especially those in high-profile
offices. These people don't wear hiking boots to work and crunch their hair
with a helmet.

[snip]
---

(Complete letter here:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002900658_frilets31.html)

My reply:

I broke up in laughter reading Martha Parker's letter to the editor this
morning. She claimed that bicycling to work was impossible for women in high
profile jobs with fluffy hair. Well, this middle-aged suburbanite rides her
bike every day to her suit-and-panty-hose finance job in a downtown
high-rise, and is able to overcome the horrors of helmet hair. It isn't that
hard to be at your desk perfectly presentable. It just takes problem solving
abilities, something required in managerial positions. Besides, riding to
work much better than being stuck in traffic. Not everyone gets to have so
much fun as I do on the commute. I feel sorry for them -- they don't know
what they're missing.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky
 
Claire Petersky wrote:
> In the paper this morning, a letter to the editor:
>
> ---
["commuting by bike is impossible for women"]
> ---
>
> (Complete letter here:
> http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002900658_frilets31.html)
>
> My reply:
>
> I broke up in laughter reading Martha Parker's letter to the editor this
> morning. She claimed that bicycling to work was impossible for women in high
> profile jobs with fluffy hair. Well, this middle-aged suburbanite rides her
> bike every day to her suit-and-panty-hose finance job in a downtown
> high-rise, and is able to overcome the horrors of helmet hair. It isn't that
> hard to be at your desk perfectly presentable. It just takes problem solving
> abilities, something required in managerial positions. Besides, riding to
> work much better than being stuck in traffic. Not everyone gets to have so
> much fun as I do on the commute. I feel sorry for them -- they don't know
> what they're missing.
>

Let us know if it gets published. Also, I would have mentioned that you
don't pedal with your heels ;)

\\paul
 
The Dutch manage to pull it off. They don't wear helmets, so no helmet
hair. There's nothing hotter than a hottie on a bike. :-D

If you're so Channel'ed and Aquanetted that cycling is bound to spoil
your look, my sympathies to you.
 
landotter wrote:
> The Dutch manage to pull it off. They don't wear helmets, so no helmet
> hair. There's nothing hotter than a hottie on a bike. :-D
>
> If you're so Channel'ed and Aquanetted that cycling is bound to spoil
> your look, my sympathies to you.
>


During Texas summers, it is impossible not to be truly hot, but I don't
think that is exactly the way you mean it.
 
"Claire Petersky" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In the paper this morning, a letter to the editor:
>
> ---
> Pedal Pushers: They don't suit everyone
>
> You're still publishing letters from dreamers. Taking bikes to work!
> ["Exercise between miles," Northwest Voices, March 24.] That might be fine
> for young men with their pants, low-heeled sturdy shoes, and hair easily
> combed. It's ridiculous for many women, especially those in high-profile
> offices. These people don't wear hiking boots to work and crunch their
hair
> with a helmet.
>
> [snip]
> ---
>
> (Complete letter here:
> http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002900658_frilets31.html)
>
> My reply:
>
> I broke up in laughter reading Martha Parker's letter to the editor this
> morning. She claimed that bicycling to work was impossible for women in
high
> profile jobs with fluffy hair. Well, this middle-aged suburbanite rides
her
> bike every day to her suit-and-panty-hose finance job in a downtown
> high-rise, and is able to overcome the horrors of helmet hair. It isn't
that
> hard to be at your desk perfectly presentable. It just takes problem
solving
> abilities, something required in managerial positions. Besides, riding to
> work much better than being stuck in traffic. Not everyone gets to have so
> much fun as I do on the commute. I feel sorry for them -- they don't know
> what they're missing.
>
> --
> Warm Regards,
>
> Claire Petersky
> http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
> See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky
>
>

That is a letter the editor will not have to edit. Good grammar and syntax,
not bogged down with lots of unnecessary detail. Your point is well
summarized in a way the average reader can understand.

Max
 
"Claire Petersky" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> (Complete letter here:
> http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002900658_frilets31.html)
>
> My reply:
>
> I broke up in laughter reading Martha Parker's letter to the editor this
> morning. She claimed that bicycling to work was impossible for women in
> high profile jobs with fluffy hair. Well, this middle-aged suburbanite
> rides her bike every day to her suit-and-panty-hose finance job in a
> downtown high-rise, and is able to overcome the horrors of helmet hair. It
> isn't that hard to be at your desk perfectly presentable. It just takes
> problem solving abilities, something required in managerial positions.

I think the letter highlights the difference between reasons and excuses.
If someone really does not want to ride then there will always be a reason
to use as an excuse. If they really want to ride then there is always a way.

They are making excuses to not ride. We find reasons to ride.
 
Claire Petersky wrote:
> In the paper this morning, a letter to the editor:
>
> ---
> Pedal Pushers: They don't suit everyone
>
> You're still publishing letters from dreamers. Taking bikes to work!
> ["Exercise between miles," Northwest Voices, March 24.] That might be fine
> for young men with their pants, low-heeled sturdy shoes, and hair easily
> combed. It's ridiculous for many women, especially those in high-profile
> offices. These people don't wear hiking boots to work and crunch their hair
> with a helmet.
>
> [snip]
> ---
>
> (Complete letter here:
> http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002900658_frilets31.html)

What a crackpot. Increased urban density obviates the need for cars and
the ensuing traffic jams. (This is why they don't let civilians run the
BZA.)

> My reply:
>
> I broke up in laughter reading Martha Parker's letter to the editor this
> morning. She claimed that bicycling to work was impossible for women in high
> profile jobs with fluffy hair. Well, this middle-aged suburbanite rides her
> bike every day to her suit-and-panty-hose finance job in a downtown
> high-rise, and is able to overcome the horrors of helmet hair. It isn't that
> hard to be at your desk perfectly presentable. It just takes problem solving
> abilities, something required in managerial positions. Besides, riding to
> work much better than being stuck in traffic. Not everyone gets to have so
> much fun as I do on the commute. I feel sorry for them -- they don't know
> what they're missing.

Claire, what about your manicure?!?!?

--Karen D.
 
On Fri, 31 Mar 2006 12:40:38 -0500, "recycled-one"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
> I think the letter highlights the difference between reasons and excuses.
>If someone really does not want to ride then there will always be a reason
>to use as an excuse. If they really want to ride then there is always a way.
>
> They are making excuses to not ride. We find reasons to ride.

There exists a gulf between the people with the spirit vs. the ones
simply emulating the style.
--
zk
 
On Fri, 31 Mar 2006 10:23:22 -0500, Paul Hobson <[email protected]>
wrote:

>
>Let us know if it gets published. Also, I would have mentioned that you
>don't pedal with your heels ;)
>
One lasting image from last July's pedal-powered wedding is seeing
140 people dressed in their Sunday best and riding their bikes in the
procession.
Particularly the women wearing heeled pumps with ankle straps pushing
pedals with toe-clips. It's semi erotic in a fetishistic sort of way.
--
zk
 
Zoot Katz wrote:
> On Fri, 31 Mar 2006 10:23:22 -0500, Paul Hobson <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>
>>Let us know if it gets published. Also, I would have mentioned that you
>>don't pedal with your heels ;)
>>
>
> One lasting image from last July's pedal-powered wedding is seeing
> 140 people dressed in their Sunday best and riding their bikes in the
> procession.
> Particularly the women wearing heeled pumps with ankle straps pushing
> pedals with toe-clips. It's semi erotic in a fetishistic sort of way.

Zoot,
You gotta find yourself a woman who like both bikes and beds.;<)
Bill
 
Claire Petersky wrote:
> In the paper this morning, a letter to the editor:
>
> ---
> Pedal Pushers: They don't suit everyone
>
> You're still publishing letters from dreamers. Taking bikes to work!
> ["Exercise between miles," Northwest Voices, March 24.] That might be fine
> for young men with their pants, low-heeled sturdy shoes, and hair easily
> combed. It's ridiculous for many women, especially those in high-profile
> offices. These people don't wear hiking boots to work and crunch their hair
> with a helmet.
>
> [snip]
> ---
>
> (Complete letter here:
> http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002900658_frilets31.html)
>
> My reply:
>
> I broke up in laughter reading Martha Parker's letter to the editor this
> morning. She claimed that bicycling to work was impossible for women in high
> profile jobs with fluffy hair. Well, this middle-aged suburbanite rides her
> bike every day to her suit-and-panty-hose finance job in a downtown
> high-rise, and is able to overcome the horrors of helmet hair. It isn't that
> hard to be at your desk perfectly presentable. It just takes problem solving
> abilities, something required in managerial positions. Besides, riding to
> work much better than being stuck in traffic. Not everyone gets to have so
> much fun as I do on the commute. I feel sorry for them -- they don't know
> what they're missing.
>
> --
> Warm Regards,
>
> Claire Petersky


These people are doing the impossible!

http://www.domela.com/photos_people/projects_fietsen/web_preview_2006.pdf

- Frank Krygowski
 
John Calnan <[email protected]> wrote:
> Claire Petersky wrote:
>> Well, this middle-aged suburbanite rides her
>> bike every day to her suit-and-panty-hose finance job in a downtown
>> high-rise, and is able to overcome the horrors of helmet hair.
>
> Someone sent me this link this morning. I'm not sure if it's actually
> Claire on the way to work, or not...
>
> http://www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=305317

If Claire was willing to sacrifice a pair of heels, I could probably
even set her up with SPD cleats. Heh.

--
Dane Buson - [email protected]
If the aborigine drafted an IQ test,
all of Western civilization would presumably flunk it.
-- Stanley Garn
 
Dane Buson wrote:
> John Calnan <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Claire Petersky wrote:
> >> Well, this middle-aged suburbanite rides her
> >> bike every day to her suit-and-panty-hose finance job in a downtown
> >> high-rise, and is able to overcome the horrors of helmet hair.
> >
> > Someone sent me this link this morning. I'm not sure if it's actually
> > Claire on the way to work, or not...
> >
> > http://www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=305317
>
> If Claire was willing to sacrifice a pair of heels, I could probably
> even set her up with SPD cleats. Heh.


If the sole was 3/4 of an inch thick or so, you could use a router and
recess them. You'd probably want to peel the foot bed back, and rig up
some kind of rigid back plate to screw them into. Wouldn't be that
hard, and who doesn't want a set of spd compatible strappy 3" heels for
spring. :-D
 
Dane Buson wrote:
> John Calnan <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Claire Petersky wrote:
> >> Well, this middle-aged suburbanite rides her
> >> bike every day to her suit-and-panty-hose finance job in a downtown
> >> high-rise, and is able to overcome the horrors of helmet hair.
> >
> > Someone sent me this link this morning. I'm not sure if it's actually
> > Claire on the way to work, or not...
> >
> > http://www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=305317
>
> If Claire was willing to sacrifice a pair of heels, I could probably
> even set her up with SPD cleats. Heh.


If the sole was 3/4 of an inch thick or so, you could use a router and
recess them. You'd probably want to peel the foot bed back, and rig up
some kind of rigid back plate to screw them into. Wouldn't be that
hard, and who doesn't want a set of spd compatible strappy 3" heels for
spring. :-D
 
Dane Buson wrote:
> John Calnan <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Claire Petersky wrote:
> >> Well, this middle-aged suburbanite rides her
> >> bike every day to her suit-and-panty-hose finance job in a downtown
> >> high-rise, and is able to overcome the horrors of helmet hair.
> >
> > Someone sent me this link this morning. I'm not sure if it's actually
> > Claire on the way to work, or not...
> >
> > http://www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=305317
>
> If Claire was willing to sacrifice a pair of heels, I could probably
> even set her up with SPD cleats. Heh.


If the sole was 3/4 of an inch thick or so, you could use a router and
recess them. You'd probably want to peel the foot bed back, and rig up
some kind of rigid back plate to screw them into. Wouldn't be that
hard, and who doesn't want a set of spd compatible strappy 3" heels for
spring. :-D
 
"John Calnan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Claire Petersky wrote:
>> Well, this middle-aged suburbanite rides her bike every day to her
>> suit-and-panty-hose finance job in a downtown high-rise, and is able to
>> overcome the horrors of helmet hair.
>
> Someone sent me this link this morning. I'm not sure if it's actually
> Claire on the way to work, or not...
>
> http://www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=305317
>

If those shoes can take Look cleats, I want a pair ;-)

Cheers, helen s
 
wafflycat wrote:
> If those shoes can take Look cleats, I want a pair ;-)
>
> Cheers, helen s
>
I sense there may be a market for these. I may have to talk to Steve
Madden about this...

--
John Calnan
http://www.calnan-web.com/weblog
 
John Calnan wrote:
> Claire Petersky wrote:
>> Well, this middle-aged suburbanite rides her bike every day to her
>> suit-and-panty-hose finance job in a downtown high-rise, and is able
>> to overcome the horrors of helmet hair.
>
> Someone sent me this link this morning. I'm not sure if it's actually
> Claire on the way to work, or not...
>
> http://www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=305317
>
>

I have seen this several times around Harvard Sq. in Cambridge, MA. It's
not that unusual to see women in suits and heels riding bikes. I doubt
they're riding any distance, though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

No_Positives
Nice letter to the editor on Lance and doping
Replies
33
Views
6K
Professional Cycling
Flyer
Flyer
C
Yet another letter to the editor
Replies
5
Views
391
Road Cycling
Tom Keats
T
E
Re: Another letter to the editor
Replies
5
Views
583
Recumbent bicycles
[email protected]
J
C
Another letter to the editor
Replies
30
Views
713
Road Cycling
[email protected]
J
D
A Letter to the Editor that appeared in today's Bergen Record (NJ)
Replies
42
Views
2K
Road Cycling
DaWei
D
C
letter to the editor of The Age re "Drugs, dial, drive, bloody idiot?"
Replies
14
Views
728
Australia and New Zealand
DaveB
D
C
  • Locked
Another Hateful Letter to the Editor
Replies
46
Views
3K
Recumbent bicycles
Dj Blag
D
Dave Pace
Need some help with a letter
Replies
2
Views
681
Road Cycling
Dave Pace
Dave Pace
steve
Open Letter to Pat McQuaid from Greg LeMond
Replies
59
Views
4K
Professional Cycling
alienator
alienator
dot
I don't see any news on english-speaking cycling related sites about this letter
Replies
0
Views
3K
Professional Cycling
dot
dot
Top Bottom Back