Test Ride!
Bakfietsing Dottie from Dottie White on Vimeo.
Feb 212009
Feb 192009
I’ve been looking for a suitable basket for Oma’s front rack since I adopted her in October. I was looking at a couple of Basil and Wald baskets and had decided that a simple, big wire basket would be the most utilitarian choice for all weather and hauling conditions. But then I saw this beauty on Velo Orange: the Hershberger Baker’s Basket with Lid. Add to the good looks that it was made by an Amish family in Minnesota, and I was sold.
Oma with New Basket
Feb 192009
Baby birds TK?
Earlier this week I rode past this budding tree and its beribboned nest. We have been alternating between days that feel like spring and days that feel like winter here in Nashville, and I’m hoping this is a sign that we’ll be sticking with spring very soon. Anyone else seeing signs of a change in the weather?
Feb 182009
I swear I’ve had this exact fantasy many times about my stolen bike. Here’s the brief story: Chicago girl’s bike was stolen, she posted about it on The Chainlink, someone saw a Craigslist ad and said is this it?, girl says yes!, girl takes her bike back, theif gets visit from police. Read the full thread here.
The Highlight:
Everyone! I got my bike back!!! I was trying to keep chill in case he was a biker and somehow read this thread. I’ve been on his heels since first seeing the ad on criagslist five minutes after he posted it. Meet him as 912 w. 18th place mother fucker and posed as potential buyers. As i was taking my bike for a spin around the block, I called the cops and explained the situation and I said that I needed help “RIGHT MOTHER FUCKING NOW”…cops show up, I garnish the original sales reciept, booyakaa, jen is now making love to her bike. That now has a new chain…and is super clean. Actually, I think I owe him money for a tune-up!! And I love my biking community.
Keeping hope alive for all the stolen bikes out there.
Feb 172009
This week for the first time I’ve been listening to music while riding to and from work. Yes, with earbuds and an ipod. I would not do this on busy streets, but I’ve decided that it’s perfectly fine on the deserted lakefront trail and quiet side streets. I keep the volume low and, conveniently, only one of my earbuds works, so I hear all around me.
I LOVE music, although I have no special talent for it myself. Music makes everything better! So this morning was The Dresden Dolls and this evening was Arcade Fire, both perfect choices. The Dolls really helped me through the mean headwind. Tomorrow morning is wide open: maybe some Lucinda Williams, Neutral Milk Hotel, or Tori Amos. My sweet friend Erin mailed me a new album that I’m digging – Rokia Traore, so maybe her. Or an All Things Considered podcast! Limitless options.
With a soundtrack I feel more like the girls in this video and less like a woman chugging along to and from work in the city.
Anyone else have some favorite bicycling music? Anyone disagree with me about listening to music while cycling? It’s not like I’m listening to Eye of the Tiger or anything awful like that. ;)
Feb 162009
I have a confession to make: I’m not sure one bike, even one as lovely as the Batavus, is enough for me. I used to think bikes were like men — you find the one for you, and that’s it (or so they say). Now I know that they are more like shoes, or maybe coats: there’s the right choice for every occasion. One day you’re feeling sporty; the next, you might want to haul groceries home. And what if someone comes to visit and needs to borrow a bike? It doesn’t help that they’re all so beautiful in different ways.
This is the long way of telling you that I’m cheating on the Batavus before he’s even made it home (such a vixen). But it wasn’t my fault! Had Pinkie not been taken from me, I promise I never even would have looked at another bike — or at least, not with my wallet in hand. However, among the many kind comments on the entry about her theft was one from Jon at Grinder Bikes, who offered to lend me something to ride until May. I clicked on over to his site and noticed he’d rebuilt many lovely bikes out in Denver. I’d fallen for a few vintage bikes during my bike search, but they were always too large for me. Maybe he had something suitable? Maybe he has a mixte, whispered the devil on my shoulder. So I asked the question.
Feb 162009
Dotzilla
Yesterday I rode down to Hyde Park on the south side to TATI Cycles. The meeting was awesome and I have something in the works with him now, one way or another. Still waiting on more details, but I’m very excited. Much closer to my new bike than I was a day ago!
Riding down the south side of the Lakefront Trail was a treat. Deserted and very “back to nature” compared to the north side, with its tacky tiki bars and beach volleyball in the summer. I was on the lookout for the Obamas (or, really, the Secret Service) since they were in Chicago for the weekend, but no such luck. Probably too cold.
The ride home was not as enjoyable, with a killer headwind. Going about 5 miles an hour on my heavy Oma with my thighs burning is not my idea of fun – this is why I need a second bike!! Oma is not made for 30 mile jaunts in 30 mph wind gusts. Is the wind this bad in other cities? I know I am in the Windy City and riding parallel to Lake Michigan but, man, these winter winds are a terror.
Anyway, wish me luck with my bike project! Hopefully I’ll have a new bike by early March!!
Feb 162009
As you have no doubt heard, a very famous person joined me, Dottie, Sally, Pete and everyone at someonestolemybike.com among the ranks of those who have lost a bike to theft: Lance Armstrong himself.
Lance Armstong's time trial bike was stolen from his team's trailer
Despite what several fake craigslist postings and eBay auctions would have you believe, it hasn’t surfaced yet — but such a distinctive bike must be nearly impossible to pawn off. Let’s hope it turns up soon.
UPDATE: Lance’s bicycle found!
Yesterday I set out to visit various bike shops. I visited four total, just the tip of the iceberg in these parts. Two were a pleasure, two were highly annoying, and none led to a bike discovery. On the positive side, I enjoyed spending a few hours cycling around the city. This pic was taken in my “backyard.” Yes, I do live that close to the el tracks, but the noise is not an issue. I prefer to be close to public transit, although I rarely take it nowadays.
My Backyard
Feb 132009
“Well, no one wears hoop skirts anymore, so you don’t really see any mixtes around.”
It's a mixte, bitches!
Those were the words of wisdom delivered to me by a bike shop guy in answer to my question of whether they had any steel mixtes. Look, pal, you’re talking mixte crap to the wrong girl. What’s the deal with that attitude? Such disdain for a perceived woman’s bike. I am now determined to buy a mixte frame. Anyone else feeling the mixte love?
I was at the shop to test ride the Surly Long Haul Trucker. Very attractive bike, but I decided for sure that I don’t want a diamond frame, drop bar bike. I felt so scrunched up and bent over, it was ridiculous. I guess I could adjust to it, if I rode it exclusively for a month, but I don’t want to adjust to it. It’s not my style.
LIVELY CONVERSATIONS