...that amuse and entertain me. The odder, the better. For example, what is the coolest part of this picture? Look closely. Answer: The bird chilling on a piece of floating ice, of course! Thanks, springtime! This is going to be a fun season.
read moreI haven't posted much about my commute in the past few weeks, because, frankly, it's been rather miserable. There were no March lions for Nashville; instead, the month snuck in under dense, foggy cloud cover, and last week especially was one big grey mizzle. Cycling really felt like work, especially on Sunday, when I biked to brunch in 50-degree, overcast humidity. Just when I thought we might never see the sun again, Monday afternoon it appeared. And the last two days have been glorious. Brisk but sunny mornings in...
read moreCheck this beauty out! . Lynn of Bike Lite - an expert at stumbling upon great old bikes - found this 1950's lugged steel mixte on eBay and noticed that it looks a lot like Rivendell's Betty Foy. Intriguing! Is a bike like this a show piece or a viable everyday travel option?
read moreAll this time I've been riding around with a poorly positioned saddle. How could I not have realized it? On Sunday I brought Oma to the Dutch Bike Chicago doctor for a regular check-up and to have her studded tires swapped (a task I could not figure out due to the enclosed chain case). He was super helpful with everything, fixing a spring that keeps my handlebars from swinging around while parked and treating my Brooks saddle. He noticed from the saddle's breaking-in pattern that I was riding too far forward an...
read moreSpring is here for real! Time to swap out the Schwalbe Marathon Winter studded tires for the good ol' regular tires and clean up the nasty snow grit. On Saturday I spent a couple of hours with my garage set up as a temporary workshop to accomplish these tasks. While my husband changed his tires, I installed the Wald basket and Planet Bike rack on Smurfette. Now everything is set up - except the bell. I don't want just any bell and have been trolling eBay for something vintage. I think Smurfette now looks quit...
read moreSome say being crapped on by a bird is good luck. That is possible. I certainly consider it good luck that this particular bird had good enough aim to not hit one of my helmet vents. Also, moments before (or after? I didn't notice the new decoration on my Bern until I got to work) the shit hit the helmet, Le Peug and I had the positive experience of being recognized by reader and fellow bike commuter Matt. Good luck or karmic balance? You be the judge...
read moreCycling has become a central part of my life. I have a strong emotional connection with my my bikes, especially Oma. I don't know if this type of bike love is more common among women and their bikes, or if it's common among men, too, or if it's not common at all and I am abnormally attracted to my bicycles. Ha. Regardless, I found a little something to honor this relationship that I can carry around with me all day, even when I'm stuck in my skyskraper at work. I saw this post on My Hyggelig (a sweet and cozy ...
read moreI said farewell to winter in We Biked the Whole Winter. I considered waiting until March 20, the official first day of spring, but the sustained spring-like weather and decent 15-day forecast convinced me that it was time to move forward. Mural at Rapid Transit Cycle Shop. I stand behind this decision. Okay, yesterday was 18 degrees with (allegedly, although I did not feel it) a windchill of 0. I overdressed and was sweating half-way to work. The sunshine was strong and everything was bright and beautiful. T...
read moreLe Peug has been well-loved. There are a few deep scratches on the top tube and down tube, some of which have rusted over -- not especially pretty. I had been thinking since he arrived that a touch-up might not be a bad idea, so on Sunday morning I read a few posts on bike forum and decided I knew enough to give it a try. The process seemed simple: sand off rust, clean with alcohol, mask (if using spray can), apply primer, apply paint. One of the bike forum visitors even suggested a good match for white Peugeots...
read moreI recently received a copy of Richard Hurst's The Cyclist's Manifesto, and since anecdotal evidence has proven that many bike commuters are also readers, I thought I'd let you all know it's coming to a store near you in May. Hurst jokes(?) on his blog that "uch of it consists of unstable rantings," but he promises a lot of information on bicycle history as well as conjecture about its future, and I'm looking forward to getting deeper into the book (so far, I've only read the first few pages, which are sett...
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