Per Parker's plea

My fellow columnist, Parker Heinlein – four columns to the left of me – brings up some wonderful points this week. Take a few minutes, if you haven’t already, to read his column before proceeding through mine.

Done?

Thanks.

Parker isn’t just whistling Dixie when he says that bicycle groups racing through a nearby town is a must-write for the rube journalist (and he had no intention of offending you by whistling Dixie.) Every summer, without fail, at least one group will peddle through town during a noble pursuit to raise money or awareness for one foundation or another.

The story...