…that amuse and entertain me. The odder, the better.
For example, what is the coolest part of this picture? Look closely.
Look real close
Mar 182009
I 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 the 40s, afternoons in the high 60s and low 70s. This morning I beat my record time to work, getting here in only 10 minutes, and both days I just played on my bike, shifting my center of gravity slightly to make the bike “dance,” swinging my legs as I slowed down for stop signs or lights. A thunderstorm is predicted for tomorrow and hot, humid summer is right around the corner, but for now I’m happy to take it one day at a time.
Heading out this morning, another beautiful day
Check this beauty out!
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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?
All this time I’ve been riding around with a poorly positioned saddle. How could I not have realized it?
New Saddle Position
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 and offered to adjust the tilt. Of course! Once he mentioned it, I realized that I often have to scoot myself back while riding, but it never occurred to me to investigate. I thought maybe that was simply how the saddle was supposed to be, nevermind my instincts. As you can see in the picture, the saddle is now titled up slightly, making the back part level with the ground.
Huge improvement! On the way home I realized how bad it was before when I kept pushing on the handlebars to scoot myself back, only to realize that I did not need to scoot back. Why didn’t I address the problem before someone in the know brought it up? I don’t need to be a bike expert to know what my body is feeling. This super comfy saddle is a lesson learned.
Mar 152009
Spring 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.
Riding Smurfette
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 quite snazzy!
Some 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…
Mar 132009
Cycling 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.
Makool Loves You Locket
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 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.
I agree!
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. That’s springtime, folks! And, yes, currently the news says it’s 15 degrees, but I imagine it will be like yesterday, so I’m not worried. And every day from now on in the forecast is in the 50′s. So I’ll throw on my two gloves, long undies, scarf, and boots today, but I’m not giving spring up! Who’s with me? 
Mar 102009
Le 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.
Le Peug and friends at happy hour last week
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: Duplicolor White Wheel Paint, which I thought I had a good chance of finding at the O’Reilly Auto Parts close to my house.
So we set out, Continue reading »
Mar 102009
I 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 “[m]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 setting the stage by explaining our current problems with oil, etc.). I haven’t read his first book, The Art of Cycling, which seems to be a touchstone for many cyclists—any Hurst fans out there who can tell me what to expect? Judging from what I’ve read of the book and on his site, he’s got plenty of opinions and isn’t afraid to express them. Wish he’d prevailed with the publishers on this issue:
I think the publishers (Falcon) like the title ‘The Cyclist’s Manifesto,’ but I am hoping for something that better reflects my preference for the machine over its often insufferable jockies: ‘The Bicycle Manifesto.’
Will try to come back in a few days with a complete review.
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