SIDE SALAD - Everything crunchy is good.

PLEASE WELCOME TO THE MENU

There's a new member of the blog universe. Tampa Tribune reporter Alan Snel has started a new blog about cycling.

Only days after its launch, Al has written a nice post about teaching a neighbor's daughter how to ride her bike:

We took a second lesson about a week ago and on Henry Avenue's sidewalk I released my hand from the bike seat and heard Laura's joyous victory yell from beghind as she watched her kid pedal down the sidewalk for the first time solo for about 40 feet or so.

"You go girl," Laura yelled and it was a proud moment.

Then came today and let it be known for the record that around 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 19, 2006 Sofia Starkey took off on her bike and flew solo for the real deal. Not just 30 or 40 feet but for as long as her legs would hold her up.

My heart began to race seeing the kid take off without a care in the world.

Al is no stranger to the Salad. His Hudsonian site was a great regional Web site for the Hudson Valley and his cycling related reports featured here - including the 160-mile jaunt he took from New York City to Albany last year, was among the Salad's most popular items.

We wish the Ambassadorial Cyclist well in his online touring. May the blogging hills be few and the seat extra-padded.

Posted by Jeff at February 20, 2006 08:07 AM