Hello Everyone,
I'm trying to get back to writing my book about being carfree -- it's not easy to do being the at-home-parent of a three and five-year-old. I am trying to outline a chapter about how a family's being carfree now, and vacationing on bicycles, is a continuation of the cyclotouriste movement. I seem to remember an article that claimed it stemmed from a time in France when there was more time than money. (Although I also remember an article or an email that claimed bicycles were out of the financial reach of many people). We're trying to choose a lifestyle where we have more time than money in the belief that spending time as a family on bikes increases our quality of life more than having a lot of money and little time.
Could anyone point me to any articles or books about the cyclotouriste movement? Any other interesting books about the history of bicycle touring? I've subscribed to Vintage Bicycle Quarterly, but I couldn't tell which articles in past issues are worth reading in regards to my subject. I wish I could afford to buy all the back issues.
We're expanding our trips from the front door to include more of Northern New Mexico. I would rather be on my Rivendell, but I am restricted to touring on Bike Fridays with my children. My Rivendell is going to age to classic status before I ever go very far from home on it. I am considering riding Brevets -- they seem to be the ideal solution to a touring-minded person with limited time -- but there is nothing local. I'll have to start the Northern New Mexico Randonneuring Society.
Paul B. Cooley
http://carfreefamily.blogspot.com