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Bicycle Culture

Cartoon Tuesday: What Does Alabama Have Against California and Bikes?

8_4_09_cartoon.jpg

The
online news outlet Digital City reports that the state of Alabama has
banned the sale of Cycles Gladiator wine, produced by California winery
Hahn Family Wines because of what it terms an inappropriate label.  Digital City reports:

A poster advertising bicycles dating back to 1895 is causing quiet a stir in Alabama. Hahn Family Wines out of California makes a wine called Cycle Gladiators and they've featured the original ad on the label.

Whyall the fuss? The ad in question (pictured above) includes the image ofa long-haired woman flying alongside a bicycle -- wearing nothing but asmile ... well, she's not smiling but you get the idea.

The cartoon lady could be considered artistically tastefulbut the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board doesn't think so. Theboard decided to pull the the wine from liquor store shelves statewide,deeming the label as inappropriate.

Are they
trying to make a statement about biking while intoxicated? Is it
because the bike has no front brakes? Are they worried
people are going to try and make their bikes fly?

Maybe the AABCB rulesmakers should just spend a week up in Black Rock City and learn to love powerful, artfully (un)clad women riding bicycles everywhere. Tut tut.

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