OCR Text |
Show Page B3 'Stye '5Ixmeg,3)ngPgrtt On Two Wheels ntr A pedaling periodical of bicycle-relate- d news and views left behind Mike and his now solo companion, Natasha, a someplace else. dogs in five year intervals, with an older dog to mentor the new recruit to the pack. Now Natasha will take Sultans place in the hierarchy. Mike is well aware of the pack structure hes created. He choked up slightly as he offered a short eulogy for Sul- shepherd mix. Mike says he likes to space his Im uncomfort- able around mass consumerism; Id rather make six stops at various merchants the butcher, the baker, the candlestick-maker than have all my needs serviced by some p. So I was trying my best to slip into an anonymous void when Mike Barlow spotted me. You may not know him by name, but everyone in town would recognize Mike by his homemade bike trailer with the big dogs either riding on top or running alongside. One of Mikes dogs, the big shepherd named Sultan, had gotten into a little trouble at one of the bike shops, and Mike wanted to make his defense, right there in my void. It seems that Sultan, while minding his own business, had been set upon by a much smaller, but apparently p of a more aggressive, had little the dog. Perhaps guy wanted to establish a bit of street cred among the other pooches, or maybe he was just in a bad mood. Whatever the cause, he challenged Sultan, and he lost, badly. Unfortunately for Mike and Sultan, witnesses sided with the underdog. They act like those little rat dogs are just cutesy, cuddly little stuffed toys, Mike ranted to me. But theyre not; theyve got teeth, just like any dog. If they were people, theyd be angry dwarves. You rag-mo- wouldnt just let an angry dwarf come up and start kick- ing your shins and punching your crotch, would you? Youd kick his butt, right? I was hoping the question was rhetorical, but Mike stood there, waiting for an answer. So was everyone else in line. Now, Mike couldnt have known this, hut I used to own an pit bull, and Ive in a been similar situation, when a loose yap dog attacked my tethered pit. The little dog lived, barely, and while no one blamed my dog, the crowd at the outdoor event where it occurred sympathized with the toothy little aggressor. So, to the amusement of the rest of the consumers in line, I had to answer: Yeah, I suppose Id have to kick his butt. Mike agreed, and he left me standing there, stranded outside the void. Still, I was happy to help him in Sultans defense. It may seem that this was an animal who needed no champion, but all pets need the love and protection of their owners to make it through the human world. Living out of a bike trailer and a tent, Sultan must have seen Mike as Alpha Dog, providing for their small pack. Sultan died a couple of weeks ago, when the dog was unable to fight off the effects of an infection. He ld tan: He wasnt some pam- pered, or ignored, house pet. He lived like a dog, and he died like a dog. On a Brighter Note As I approached 400 North one day recently, riding in the bike lane on 100 West, I took a quick glance over my left shoulder, preparing to move into the traffic lane. The bike lane at that intersection would dead-en- d into a parking space, forcing cyclists out into traffic instead of into the rear end of a parked car. However, this time when I looked forward again I was still in the bike lane, not staring down a chrome bumper. Not only that, there was still room for traffic and parking. It seems that Moab City Street Supervisor Ken Denney had gone out with a tape measure and determined there was enough space in this broad intersection for everyone. It would have been easier for the city to repaint the bike lane as it had been before the road was Small tabs had been placed where the old lane had been, so the pattern existed for a Instead, Denney and Public Works Director Brent Williams recognized the deficiency in the old design, 80-pou- chip-seale- d. Grand Junction Oral Surgery Associates PC Oral Surgery Specialty Care Kenneth E. Perino, DDS machines in Utah before ating on public lands. Officials with Utah State Parks and Recreation remind veall nonresident hicle (OHV) operators, including snowmobile drivers, that they may need to register their Free wheelchairs are available Impacted Teeth Dental Implants Orthodontic Surgery If the operator's state of residency does not require registration or Utah does not accept their states registration, operators will need to purchase a $30 permit to in ride Utah. permits are available at all Utah Maverik convenience stores. In addition to registration, Utah law requires all resident and operators 8 to 15 years old to take the Know Non-reside- Miracle on Wheels makes available Power (Electric) nonto Wheelchairs Senior Citizens ambulatory (65 years old & up) usually at no expense if No they qualify. deposit non-reside- required. The electric wheelchairs are provided to those who cannot walk and can not a manual wheelchair in their home or independent living quarters and who neet the additional qualifications of the program. This service may also be available to the permanently disabled of any t classes. Drivers 16 years and older must have a valid drivers license or OIIV education certificate. Classes are available throughout the year and of fered statewide for $10. For Know Before You Go! Program registration. OHV registration, or for more information, please contact the Ftah State Parks and Recreation OHV Education office at self-prop- el Y. 3 J r. f v. s' a age. Please call the 1.807- - 749-877- 8 for more information on details of this program or visit and they fixed it. The result is a traffic lane alongside a safe bike lane. This is an excellent example of how a bit of paint and progressive thinking can lead to a safer, less confusing commute for cyclists. That is especially important at that intersection, which feeds kids onto 400 North on the last leg of their commute to Helen M. Knight Intermediate School. If I seem overly effusive about 50 yards of bike lane, its because small changes like this can make a huge difference to locals and visitors who choose to get around town without cars. I cant overstate how comforting it is to know that the people who make the decisions over these issues realize small details can have such a big efwell-define- ti BONUS BUCKS ARE BACK! ; on Select & Off-Ro- ad Pre-200- ATV 5 MC Models d You can reach Ron Georg with comments or information regarding this column at or send email to ontwowheelslearthlink.net. 2, ssta fiTrifflFriTfl craft Dont Delay! BEST www.honda.com ON EARTH BE A RESPONSIBLE RIDER. ALWAYS WEAR A HELEYE PROTECTION AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND PLEASE RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT. OBEY THE LAW AND READ YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL THOROUGHLY. 6.9 FIXED APR financing up to 60 months through American Honda Finance Corporation upon approved credit. Payment example: 60 monthly payments of $1 9.75 for each $1 ,000 financed. Offer good on all new 2005 and prior year ATVs and motorcycles until December 31 2004. Bonus Bucks can only be used for purchases at the dealership and must be redeemed on the date of purchase. Offer has no cash value and is not transferable. Redemption value not to exceed $700 per certificate. Customers may apply certificate to parts, accessories, riding gear or other purchases and are responsible for all related sales tax. Bonus Bucks offer ends December 31, 2004. Check with participating Honda Dealers for are trademarks of Honda Motor Co., complete details. FourTrax, Rincon Ltd. 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Recommended for riders 16 years of age and older. (0703) MET, NOVEMBER 14, 2004 SUNDAY EVENING Before You Go! snowmobile, ATV and motorbike education et 259-305- 2532 Patterson Road, Suite 10, Grand Junction, CO Call toll free oper- non-reside- nt fect. Wisdom Teeth Removal 2004 need to register in Utah A Moment of Silence, Please One day a few years ago I was in line at a very crowded store, wishing I were five-year-o- 1 1, OHV operators may Out-of-sta- te by Ron Georg omni-mega-cor- Thursday, November f |