The Slice: Bikeman Turner on overdrive

Readers have asked, so here’s my answer.

Yes, I’m still cycling to and from work.

I bought a used bike. My plan is to keep riding at least until the first frost.

I miss listening to public radio in the morning, which I used to do when I walked. But I save so much time biking and am able to exercise so much harder without bothering my troublesome knee that I am truly geeked about my new commuting strategy.

Of course, I had help. So now I’d like to pass that on.

I’m still a novice. But I know people who really understand cycling.

So if you have questions about getting started, feel free to send them my way. I’ll forward your message to someone who would be happy to help.

“Notice to readers: After today, I won’t be running any more pictures of cats sitting or reclining on the Today section. I’m serious. No more.

But I like this snapshot of Amber McPhee-Millard’s feline, Larry.

“His usual morning routine begins with a hearty breakfast of diet hairball food and the Wall Street Journal followed by some lighter morning reading in the Today section.”

I’ll take that as a compliment to the comics page.

“Changing channels: Women always leave.

Well, Spokane TV women anyway. Or so it seems.

I remember watching KREM on one of my first nights in Spokane. Maureen O’Boyle, one of their anchors, was doing a special report on aerobics classes or something. She was hopping around in a leotard. This was local TV news at its finest.

I found myself looking forward to her broadcasts.

But of course, she moved on to another city in short order.

Same with Dina Napoli, Christine Clayburg, Libby Weaver, Mary Nam, Virginia Kerr and on and on.

Watching Spokane TV news is like asking to be dumped. As soon as you feel like you’re establishing a relationship with someone – poof! – she’s gone.

Oh, by the way. I’ll be happy to admit that I am wrong to enjoy watching some of these ladies in an amused way when you can prove to me that their being cute had nothing to do with them being on TV in the first place.

You can get back to me on that.

So now the oddly likable Karina Shagren has left. Once, with the help of a friend at KXLY, I tried to fix her up with one of my co-workers via e-mail. She expressed guarded interest, but the hook-up never happened.

Just as well. Like so many others, she wasn’t sticking around.

“Today’s Slice question: When strangers see you pursuing your outdoor-recreation hobby are they attracted to the activity or turned off?