Paul Lite
@paulite.bsky.social
Indianapolis west-sider, reader of books, rider of bicycles, explorer and tinkerer. Biochemist in another life. Joined Dec’23. 📚🚲🚸💡🧐🧪 x21c7
Banner: Skellig Michael Island off County Kerry. Portrait: Me holding a 🍀 in Galway.
Banner: Skellig Michael Island off County Kerry. Portrait: Me holding a 🍀 in Galway.
Reposted by Paul Lite
Since today is Veterans Day, here’s a piece I wrote ten years ago about the history of the holiday we now mark every Nov. 11.
I was fortunate to write several articles for We’re History, one of @hcrichardson.bsky.social’s great public projects. Go to werehistory.org to read lots of great articles.
I was fortunate to write several articles for We’re History, one of @hcrichardson.bsky.social’s great public projects. Go to werehistory.org to read lots of great articles.
The Convoluted History of Veterans Day
November 11 has not always been about honoring the service of all veterans.
werehistory.org
November 11, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Since today is Veterans Day, here’s a piece I wrote ten years ago about the history of the holiday we now mark every Nov. 11.
I was fortunate to write several articles for We’re History, one of @hcrichardson.bsky.social’s great public projects. Go to werehistory.org to read lots of great articles.
I was fortunate to write several articles for We’re History, one of @hcrichardson.bsky.social’s great public projects. Go to werehistory.org to read lots of great articles.
Reposted by Paul Lite
Presumably the Fell for It Again wing of the Democratic Party is unfamiliar with the arc of the Whigs, who had many similar beliefs but went poof into the dustbin of history when it kept insisting on compromise instead of fighting on the critical, polarizing moral issues of their time.
Ripon, Wisconsin: Two markers and a museum highlight the founding spot of the Republican Party. I couldn’t get inside to see how they explain the party’s journey from anti-slavery coalition to, you know, but history shows us anti-slavery didn’t necessarily translate into anti-white supremacy.
November 10, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Presumably the Fell for It Again wing of the Democratic Party is unfamiliar with the arc of the Whigs, who had many similar beliefs but went poof into the dustbin of history when it kept insisting on compromise instead of fighting on the critical, polarizing moral issues of their time.
A photo I took today at the ‘Bear Overlook’ at Eagle Creek reservoir in Indianapolis. This Spring, park admins kindly added a restroom for trail users at this trailhead parking lot. Sadly, placing the Porta Potty right beside the signature sculpture was, aesthetically speaking, a truly crappy idea.
November 7, 2025 at 9:53 PM
A photo I took today at the ‘Bear Overlook’ at Eagle Creek reservoir in Indianapolis. This Spring, park admins kindly added a restroom for trail users at this trailhead parking lot. Sadly, placing the Porta Potty right beside the signature sculpture was, aesthetically speaking, a truly crappy idea.
Today’s #Indy area #bike ride started from Eagle Creek Park area and included riding on the 71st Street Connector east to the Monon, North to Westfield, east on the Midland Trace, south on the Nickel Plate and back west to the Monon on 106th. A loop ride that wasn’t possible until very recently.
November 5, 2025 at 12:38 AM
I thought I'd share some photos from my bike ride Friday (10/31) on the newest section of #Indy's Eagle Creek Trail. While @bikeindy.bsky.social's web sit lists this trail portion (Phase B1) as NOT OPEN until mid-2016, I'm here to tell you that this trail is fully rideable and in beautiful shape.
November 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
I thought I'd share some photos from my bike ride Friday (10/31) on the newest section of #Indy's Eagle Creek Trail. While @bikeindy.bsky.social's web sit lists this trail portion (Phase B1) as NOT OPEN until mid-2016, I'm here to tell you that this trail is fully rideable and in beautiful shape.
It was a great afternoon to #bike near my neighborhood with my spouse. A short 1.5 mile section of the Ronald Reagan Parkway near Brownsburg is finally about to open so we took advantage of the still-closed roadway to check it out. The trail connects N-S with both the B&O and Vandalia Trails.
November 2, 2025 at 10:03 PM
It was a great afternoon to #bike near my neighborhood with my spouse. A short 1.5 mile section of the Ronald Reagan Parkway near Brownsburg is finally about to open so we took advantage of the still-closed roadway to check it out. The trail connects N-S with both the B&O and Vandalia Trails.
Please read this! “When all the data centers in New Carlisle (Indiana) are built, they will demand more power than two Atlantas.”
November 2, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Please read this! “When all the data centers in New Carlisle (Indiana) are built, they will demand more power than two Atlantas.”
Reposted by Paul Lite
When I see kids bikes getting thrown away I take them and fix them up, and then give them to neighborhood kids that don't have bikes.
Throwing away bikes is insane.
Throwing away bikes is insane.
October 29, 2025 at 8:11 PM
When I see kids bikes getting thrown away I take them and fix them up, and then give them to neighborhood kids that don't have bikes.
Throwing away bikes is insane.
Throwing away bikes is insane.
Some great journalism from Mirror Indy's @peterblanchard.bsky.social
Indy councilors use part of $1 million fund to pave their own street
Some councilors are using taxpayer dollars from a one-time fund to fix streets in their own neighborhoods.
mirrorindy.org
October 28, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Some great journalism from Mirror Indy's @peterblanchard.bsky.social
So what’s up with the WTHR site on iPhone? It flashes the headline about Braun “… calling Special Session…” and then they immediately conceal it.
October 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM
So what’s up with the WTHR site on iPhone? It flashes the headline about Braun “… calling Special Session…” and then they immediately conceal it.
Reposted by Paul Lite
What To Know About Data Centers https://theonion.com/what-to-know-about-data-centers/
October 24, 2025 at 9:00 PM
What To Know About Data Centers https://theonion.com/what-to-know-about-data-centers/
I agree 💯! (gift link)
Opinion | Wacky Labels and Silly Names Are Killing Craft Beer
www.nytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I agree 💯! (gift link)
Purdue’s Exponent - a real class act! Maybe other Indiana media groups should be pitching in too.
October 20, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Purdue’s Exponent - a real class act! Maybe other Indiana media groups should be pitching in too.
October 17, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Here is the feedback I provided to #IndyGreenwaysForAll
I'd love to see what others shared with the city. My perspective is based on my riding experience on NW side.
link>'https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/eee4987a084d4fcc989a4d3d12f110e6?portalUrl=https://gis.indy.gov/portal
I'd love to see what others shared with the city. My perspective is based on my riding experience on NW side.
link>'https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/eee4987a084d4fcc989a4d3d12f110e6?portalUrl=https://gis.indy.gov/portal
October 15, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Here is the feedback I provided to #IndyGreenwaysForAll
I'd love to see what others shared with the city. My perspective is based on my riding experience on NW side.
link>'https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/eee4987a084d4fcc989a4d3d12f110e6?portalUrl=https://gis.indy.gov/portal
I'd love to see what others shared with the city. My perspective is based on my riding experience on NW side.
link>'https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/eee4987a084d4fcc989a4d3d12f110e6?portalUrl=https://gis.indy.gov/portal
Bespokeless bicycle?
Schwinn’s Futuristic Aero-Space Concept Bicycle Design
ca. 1960s
ca. 1960s
October 14, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Bespokeless bicycle?
Reposted by Paul Lite
Mayor Joe Hogsett was once named “Mr. Clean” by a watchdog organization for his tough stance on government corruption as U.S. attorney.
A Mirror Indy/IndyStar investigation finds that the mayor ignored conflicts of interest involving millions of dollars in city incentives. https://bit.ly/3L8OOBe
A Mirror Indy/IndyStar investigation finds that the mayor ignored conflicts of interest involving millions of dollars in city incentives. https://bit.ly/3L8OOBe
Hogsett ignored conflicts of interest as city incentives flowed to developers
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett ran on ethics reform, but an investigation found that he ignored conflicts of interest.
bit.ly
October 13, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Mayor Joe Hogsett was once named “Mr. Clean” by a watchdog organization for his tough stance on government corruption as U.S. attorney.
A Mirror Indy/IndyStar investigation finds that the mayor ignored conflicts of interest involving millions of dollars in city incentives. https://bit.ly/3L8OOBe
A Mirror Indy/IndyStar investigation finds that the mayor ignored conflicts of interest involving millions of dollars in city incentives. https://bit.ly/3L8OOBe
Reposted by Paul Lite
my bicycle takes me places
my soul could never reach
my soul could never reach
October 12, 2025 at 2:20 PM
my bicycle takes me places
my soul could never reach
my soul could never reach
A fantastic day to #bike! I took the B&O west from the Tilson Trailhead to the trail’s end then continued west to McCloud Nature Park, then north over a “closed” iron truss bridge, then on to North Salem, and finally back to the B&O. 34 miles.
October 11, 2025 at 10:52 PM
A fantastic day to #bike! I took the B&O west from the Tilson Trailhead to the trail’s end then continued west to McCloud Nature Park, then north over a “closed” iron truss bridge, then on to North Salem, and finally back to the B&O. 34 miles.
Attended my first Indianapolis Bike Party last night. It was a perfect mix of community, kindness and anarchy. It was nice surprise to run into G.R. for a second time.
This WFYI 'Across Indiana' segment from 2024 about Bike Party is really good.
This WFYI 'Across Indiana' segment from 2024 about Bike Party is really good.
Bike Party Indianapolis | Across Indiana
YouTube video by WFYI
youtu.be
October 11, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Attended my first Indianapolis Bike Party last night. It was a perfect mix of community, kindness and anarchy. It was nice surprise to run into G.R. for a second time.
This WFYI 'Across Indiana' segment from 2024 about Bike Party is really good.
This WFYI 'Across Indiana' segment from 2024 about Bike Party is really good.
Yesterday was indeed a joyful day for Indy westside cyclists.
The B&O trail officially opened yesterday, connecting Indianapolis to Hendricks County, after construction on the final segment near Country Club Rd was completed this summer.
It's very exciting, anyone who's tried riding around here before knows how terrible the alternative routes were!
It's very exciting, anyone who's tried riding around here before knows how terrible the alternative routes were!
October 9, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Yesterday was indeed a joyful day for Indy westside cyclists.
This turns my stomach... "Purdue’s grant application conflicted with federal civil rights law and the department’s policy of “prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education.”
Trump admin cancels $35 million Purdue college prep program in DEI crackdown
Indiana GEAR UP, a Purdue-run college-prep program for more than 13,000 low-income students, will end Sept. 30 after the U.S. Education Department canceled its $35 million grant.
www.wfyi.org
October 2, 2025 at 2:49 PM
This turns my stomach... "Purdue’s grant application conflicted with federal civil rights law and the department’s policy of “prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education.”
Reposted by Paul Lite
"I’m not arrogant enough to think I can fully avoid this kind of decline—the indignities of getting older are relentless, and it doesn’t take much to break someone down. But then I think about learning to ride a bike, and I remember: It’s still possible to grow and change." Great essay in The Sun
On Wheels
Last summer I took a free one-day course in nearby Philadelphia for adults who wanted to learn to ride a bike. The incident that finally pushed me over the edge was when my eight-year-old niece was ri...
www.thesunmagazine.org
September 30, 2025 at 3:41 AM
"I’m not arrogant enough to think I can fully avoid this kind of decline—the indignities of getting older are relentless, and it doesn’t take much to break someone down. But then I think about learning to ride a bike, and I remember: It’s still possible to grow and change." Great essay in The Sun