PW: Coop, it's been some time again since we've relaxed and had a tea, together. Take a seat, braihamp. So I was diggin through my t-shirt drawer last night, looking for that Loverboy half-shirt that I like to sleep in so much that you keep trying to steal, and I found the Shane Cooper signature 'Fat4Gas' shirt that we had Squadra make for us. I thought, "Shoot, man. There went that Cooper, ahead of his time by almost a year, again." That's pretty cool that you were out in front of these high fuel prices like that.




SC: After reaching my 2007 goal of 100 days commuting to work...for 2008 I am just riding everyday unless I need a car for something. So far, maybe 5 drive to work days. It's easy once ya get your mind made up.

PW: I'm proud of you for that, Shane. About a year ago we did a Tea Time meeting about it, and here you are, still at it. Since we're on the subject of gas, how is it going in-house?

SC: well if your referring to flatulance...that maybe be an in-house issue...as my food get processed a bit quicker now with all the riding. A few folks are complaining here at the house, butt I have Isabelle the dog to blame.

(Shoe and sock combo that Cooper favors for winter commuting - Lake shoe, lined, and DeFeet Ski-D sock. Trusty Co-Motion NorWester', below)


PW: Ok, good then. I was referring to oil at $135 a barrel, rising inflation... and Formula 1, Nascar and Lynrd Skynrd. It all seems to just keep rolling along. DeFeet wasn't around in the 70's. You and I were playing 'kick the can' in the street at night. At least I was. I rode my Makaha skateboard all day every day. Those seemed like great days.. yet the US was struggling with high interest rates and inflation. What's it mean this time? More games like 'kick the can', or will Suburban's continue to truck the kid to the organized sports?

SC: Hey smeer the queer was a great yard game...I bet many NFL players found their jives from pickin that ball up and runnin like hell. Now days we have organized "traveling" team sports that burn kids out and send moms and dads nuts before middle school. I say let kids be kids...let's run wild and play pretend. Save some gas
America. And have you seen the "Safe Routes to School" program...that my friend is a great solution to pollution (body and air). We have not raised our prices at DeFeet due to gas prices yet...but with stapple goods up damn near 40%....we might just have
to hike it up a bit. Made in America really does mean something...if you weigh it all up....especially with gas being the driving force (no pun intended).

PW: China and India are feeling the romance of the automobile that the US enjoyed in the 50's and 60's. It's hard to blame them. It's addictive. They are moving from foot and bicycle to the automobile, and it's going to send American's (hopefully) from the automobile to foot and bicycle. Have you seen the projections for childhood obesity? Now.. that's some kina crazy chart. 'Safe Routes to School' is a great thing. Families need to pay attention. My family moved farther from my school's when I was growing up. I rode my bike, but I took 'Dangerous Routes to School'.

SC: I know 30% fat kids...yes fat kids...there, I said it, fat kids and smear the queer...member that song about a hot dog and fat kids? Soft Lazy kids with no back bone and now reason...that is what the world thinks about US...we have to change it and get back to the hard-tuffass-USA that built our country strong. We cant blame China...we have to look in the mirror. One of our only leading exports that we still make here...is HOLLYWOOD...kinda crazy...but so true. Ride your bike...car pool...walk...and lets stop being so dependent on oil...or find some right here in our own backyard...sorry Canunuks...solar power man...wind power dude...like i said last year "FAT 4 GAS

PW: Well put. It's happening, too. Here's a recent article on commuting and bike sales. If the proverbial door opens when another is shut, maybe America's health will take turn for the better, this time.