Upstairs at Caroline
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Letters are posted as we receive them during the week, and before they are printed in the paper, so check back frequently to see new letters. If you'd like to send a letter to the editor, use this postmarks submission form, or email your letter directly to mail@austinchronicle.com. Thanks for your patience.
Be a Good Sport Cyclist
RECEIVED Tue., April 25, 2023
Dear Editor,
One of the reasons why I moved to Austin was the close-knit cycling community that our beautiful city provides. As such, I enjoyed most of Kevin Curtin’s article ["The Joy of Bicycling," Culture, April 21] on the joy of cycling in Austin. But Mr. Curtin stumbled from an inclusive tone into exclusivity on paragraph 3, column 1, page 27 when he used the phrase “sport cyclist” when referring to a couple of Austin’s famous (or infamous, depending on your opinion) cycling legends.
I wear lycra cycling clothes. I own a couple of expensive road bikes that rival the value of my car. I train for competitive cycling events and I race against others my age a couple of times a year. According to Mr. Curtin, I’m a “sport cyclist” who doesn’t ride his bike for pure pleasure. Baloney! We “sport cyclists” love riding our bikes just as much as he does. The road is for everyone and respecting all of the people who use it makes Austin roads safer for cyclists, cars, horses, and even (gulp) MAGA Republicans in pickup trucks. Kevin, let’s worry less about our differences and think more about what we have in common-love of cycling.
One of the reasons why I moved to Austin was the close-knit cycling community that our beautiful city provides. As such, I enjoyed most of Kevin Curtin’s article ["The Joy of Bicycling," Culture, April 21] on the joy of cycling in Austin. But Mr. Curtin stumbled from an inclusive tone into exclusivity on paragraph 3, column 1, page 27 when he used the phrase “sport cyclist” when referring to a couple of Austin’s famous (or infamous, depending on your opinion) cycling legends.
I wear lycra cycling clothes. I own a couple of expensive road bikes that rival the value of my car. I train for competitive cycling events and I race against others my age a couple of times a year. According to Mr. Curtin, I’m a “sport cyclist” who doesn’t ride his bike for pure pleasure. Baloney! We “sport cyclists” love riding our bikes just as much as he does. The road is for everyone and respecting all of the people who use it makes Austin roads safer for cyclists, cars, horses, and even (gulp) MAGA Republicans in pickup trucks. Kevin, let’s worry less about our differences and think more about what we have in common-love of cycling.
Mike Moloney
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Pedal Positive
RECEIVED Sat., April 22, 2023
Dear Editor,
As someone who has been riding a bike in Austin since the 1970s, I found Kevin Curtin's article ("This Earth Day ... Ride a Bike") [Culture, April 21] to be splendid, well-written, and very informative. It gave me a new appreciation for Austin, and based on the article, I'll get on my bike and explore my city more. Thanks for the homecoming, Kevin!
As someone who has been riding a bike in Austin since the 1970s, I found Kevin Curtin's article ("This Earth Day ... Ride a Bike") [Culture, April 21] to be splendid, well-written, and very informative. It gave me a new appreciation for Austin, and based on the article, I'll get on my bike and explore my city more. Thanks for the homecoming, Kevin!
Tim Mahoney