The Great San Francisco Bicycle Protest of 1896 (pdf) from Processed World “On Saturday July 25th of 1896, after months of organizing by cyclists and good roads advocates, residents took to the streets in downtown San Francisco, inspired by the possibilities of the nation’s wonderful new machine, the bicycle. “Enjoyed by perhaps 100,000 spectators, the parade ended in unanimously approved resolutions in favor of good roads, and a near riot at Kearny and Market.The next day’s headlines in the San Francisco Call captured the rally’s [...]

Can someone explain to me? Why has Kofi Annan ordered the evacuation of arms inspectors from Iraq? The inspectors were doing their work quite successfully and as far as I know the majority of the Security Council were happy to see them continue working there. Yes a couple of rogue states are threatening to invade the country, but the UN should stay firm to such provocation.

Another Financial Times columnist, Lucy Kellaway, enthuses over cycling: One of the greatest thrills you can have as a needy journalist is discovering that the stranger sitting next to you on the train is avidly reading something you wrote in that morning’s newspaper. In 20-odd years I have had such a thrill twice, each time glorious enough to be worth a decade’s wait. Alas, this pleasure is no longer available to me: 18 months ago I gave up the train and now cycle to work [...]