Emmett Tyrrell lashed out at cyclists in 1980. (Credit: Indianapolis Star)
Well, at least so suggested Emmett Tyrrell Jr. in a 1980 Indianapolis Star article that's befuddling in its lunacy.
(If you're not familiar with Tyrrell, he's a prolific conservative writer who helped found the American Spectator, played a role in Bill Clinton's impeachment, and has connections to the Hudson Institute.)
Here's what Tyrrell had to say about urban cyclists at one point in his dandy of an essay:
The urban cyclist is generally a crank, either profoundly antisocial or hopelessly narsassistic and following the strenuous life in hopes of achieving immortality or a legendary sex life.
Read the full essay for Tyrrell's explanations of why cyclists are lawless, stinky, Maoist-loving, corporation-hating animal abusers. (You can vote below on which of the things that Tyrrell hates the most about cycling and you enjoy the most).
Perhaps it's all hyperbole and Tyrrell was aiming for humor. More likely, we're looking at an early case study of talking heads on the angry right abandoning rationality and reasoned debate for a modus operandi defined by bombastic showboating.
The WashCycle and Copenhagenize has more.
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Comments
Adam, this is fantastic, really wonderful find.
So so so good, thanks for finding this!
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