And then again, we have this full-page ad from the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism, which graces the rear cover of Bicycling magazine’s 2012 Buyer’s Guide.
Arkansas is a beautiful place. When I lived in Memphis, we’d take long road trips out west: Brunch in Little Rock, followed by an afternoon exploring stony little river valleys in the Ozarks.
It’s probably a good thing we weren’t on bikes, given the hellish state of cycling depicted in this ad. Here’s a fit, healthy young woman who feels compelled not only to wear a helmet, but also elbow and knee pads. On a separated roadway, no less — the Two Rivers Trail. That’s a pedestrian-only bridge behind her. Must be some mighty rowdy power walkers on that path.
You’d think someone in the Bicycling editorial department might ask Arkansas’ PR wizards what hazard on a flat, paved multi-use trail would prompt a cyclist to dress for a roller derby. Then again, they were probably engrossed in choosing which $8,000 full-aero, full-carbon racing machine would grace the opposite cover. And we wonder why folks roll their eyes and chuckle “Lance Armstrong!” anytime cycling is mentioned.
