First, a little news. I just got slides back from none other than Heinz Stücke that I should have up once I can figure out how to scan them (working on it as we speak). Among them are some excellent views of Heinz, the bike, and Crater Lake and a pic of me holding my daughter on his infamous Pocket Llama. Pretty neat stuff. If you ever run into this guy, take a minute to talk to him. He'll have you captivated.

In other less insignificant news, my big wheel fixed gear is now finally on the Fixed Gear Gallery here. Note the gorgeous Candy Raspberry aka Wally Pink paint job that we actually now offer at the shop! I found a sample of the paint on the shelf and painted the bike this color and it caught on: Hanz and Kurt both have their bikes this color and there are a few other customers with it as well. I hope to have a little pink gallery one day.

But on to the subject of the day. I have found myself recommending books a lot lately and wanted to give a little shout out here. I've kind of started a de facto book club for cyclists at the shop, spreading new books I discover to everyone open to the idea. So while I'm sure there are many more to come, here are my recommendations and why:

1. The aforementioned Divorce Your Car by Katie Alvord. Includes an incredibly well-researched history of how the car took over America. Then it offers alternatives to this sort of lifestyle. Totally shocking and liberating!

2. The aforementioned French Revolutions by Tim Moore. Read below for more but let it be said that it will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will really make you want to go ride the Tour route.

3. Tim Krabbé's The Rider is a near autobiographical account of a 150km bike race. Tim is actually a very well-respected literary figure in Holland. In fact, his books are even used in literature classes. Add to this the fact that the translation is remarkable as well. There's just about a page for every kilometer. Even if you never cared about bike racing or never care to, this book will get you excited and will make you want to ride.

4. Paul Fournel's Need for the Bike fits neatly in a jersey pocket. I like to call this book the Tao Te Ching of cycling. This Chinese classic describes a right way of living that is, well, pretty obvious. But by focusing on the essential elements of living, in encourages one to live in the moment and enjoy every breath of life. Similarly, Fournel's book doesn't describe some revolutionary way of thinking but it does describe cycling, cyclists, and cycles in a way that's nostalgic but powerful and encouraging. Lots of pithy quotes in this one. Paul's actually a member of a group of French avant-garde writers but this is pretty simple reading. Another fantastic translation from a fellow cyclist! If you ever need a book to encourage someone to get on a bike, this is the one.

5. Lynette Chiang's The Handsomest Man in Cuba portrays the real Cuba.. on a Bike Friday. I wanted to go to Cuba before I read it but the book made me really want to go see it. Another inspiration to go on a world bike tour!

I know that's a short list, but that's all I have for now. I'm currently reading books on human genetics, the correlation between physics and Eastern philosophy, and being vegan so I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment. However, at least by the time the next school term starts, I'll be reading the next book, which I hope will be world record breaker Graeme Obree's autobiography The Flying Scotsman.

Speaking of flying, I've just waited this whole time for the scanner to finish only to give me garbage so I think it's time to quit and figure out how to scan these slides some other way.