When gas goes up, we buy Priuses and Civics, right?

David S sent me this link. I'm not familiar with the source, but it seems legit and the graphics are pretty. It supports what we see on the streets, not what we read in the papers. Ford stores aren't folding; correct me if I'm wrong. Is that because they're selling so many of those terrific new Focuses? Check this out.... Thanks, David!

Posed photos of models of old cars and period scenery

If you have a hint of nostalgia or if you're over 50, you'll love these photos. If you're like me, you'll have to remind yourself often that you're not looking at cars and buildings, you're looking at Michael Paul Smith's models. Terrific slide show!

Jay Leno recreates old car film - in a new Mercedes SLS AMG gullwing

Is there a secret auto racecourse near your urban home? Here's Jay Leno in a lovely automobile, driving, chatting and showing you one of his favorite secret courses in otherwise gridlocked LA.

From the Wheels section in today's NY Times online. Wonderful six minute film.... Enjoy!

The Hurt Locker

Tamar and I are thrilled that The Hurt Locker, a film about the Iraq war directed by Kathryn Bigelow, has been recognized by nine (!) Oscar nominations. It's brilliant and harrowing and disturbing to watch. We rented the DVD a few weeks ago.

When you tell people about The Hurt Locker, they ask you to repeat the title and want to tell you about Avatar. Clearly, Hurt Locker was under-publicized.

While you're watching The Hurt Locker, it's as if you are in the vehicles and on the ground with the soldiers, a small crew of guys who defuse unexploded bombs - in city streets and the countryside. All around you are locals - maybe just rubberneckers, maybe the enemy - with detonators in their hands.

Another Portland article - with a few surprises

This piece, from what I assume is an independent Portland paper - the Bee - talks about what the neighborhoods and the city will have to do to encourage folks to ride or walk instead of drive. I was most interested in what Portland's Bicycle Coordinator Roger Geller said about the relative costs of bike facilities vs urban freeway - and where our personal transport money goes.

Worth reading for sure.

LeMond/Trek feud ends, but not with a bang

Here, from James Raia's Examiner page, is the story of the feud, in brief, and the charity payoff. This item is all over the cycling news, but Raia does as good a job as anyone at describing the dust as it settles. Both parties were naughty boys but only one had to sit in the corner, so to speak....

A fun column from Ann Arbor - about sidewalk cyclists and (gosh) bloomers!

We're talking the 1880s here. In this delightful piece by Laura Bien from the Ann Arbor Chronicle, Bien cites the paper's archives on hot topics from 130 years ago, some of which have reheated themselves only recently....

We don't hear much about bloomers these days, but they were objects of horror and derision back then - "Only pretty women should wear them!"