I am one who bikes
I bought a bike over the weekend. I just wanted something for going around town because it seems silly for me to be using gas to traverse the whole 3 miles to work. Especially since they've set up booths at the gas stations where you can drop off your first-born in exchange for filling up your tank.
I was nearly seduced by the beautiful cruisers in the stores now and was especially tempted when Cicada bought her Guido. I had visions of me riding around like an Amsterdam resident among the canals with fresh flowers and maybe a baguette or crack pipe in the bike's basket.
And why does bike-shopping have to be such a complicated thing nowadays, anyway? When you're 10 it's not that hard. You go down to K-Mart and you get a bike that is the color you like. And then that is your bike. The End. Now it's all mountain bikes and road bikes and cruisers and cross bikes and all this mess that I just can't keep track of. It's like buying a car or picking a health-care plan.
In the end I found a Specialized Expedition at Al's Sporting Goods here in Logan. Turns out Al's was founded 85 years ago by a guy named Alvin Moroni Larsen. (Could he be more LDS?) Their staff are very good and they're running a promotion where I got $50 in store credit to buy a lock, pump, helmet, etc. Spitfire went with me because she knows more about bikes than I do. My bike is made for lazy people who don't want to hunch over, don't want sore buttocks, and have no intention of riding anywhere to do with heights or cliffs. (Me . . . me . . . me . . . )
The tires are a little bit tougher, though, so I can still take it on the River Trail, whatever that is. (Note: Oh. I guess this is what it is.)
I bought a helmet because I am One Who Approves of Helmets. Only when it actually came down to trying them on in the store I realized something else: Helmets are lame. They look stupid and they ruin your hair. And I don't think I want to be turning up to work in the mornings with ruined hair. Not sure what I'll do about that. At least mine is moderately cute as far as helmets go. It's a kid's helmet (it does fit, though) and is light blue with pretty yellow flowers and butterflies painted on. Also I got a bell. The bell put my B-in-L over the edge, but I maintain that it's a safety measure.
Just to bother him, I might get a basket for the front and hot-glue pink plastic daisies to it. And maybe get some pink & white streamers for the handlebars.
I'm Steph, a librarian and mom of 3 (not sure how that happened). Let's chat books, food, Sumptuous Literary Adaptations, poop, knitting and maybe some crazy Mormon Feminism.
14 comments:
As a gift to you, he will buy the little beads to stick on your spokes.
I got a bell for Guido, too. The problem is that it dings on every minor bump I ride on. Since most of my ride to work is on sidewalks (to avoid the busy biker-killer streets) I basically ding all the way to work. At least I will never sneak up on anyone.
I congratulate you on your purchase! We'll have to get together for a ride once I get my bike rack.
The addition of the bell IMHO is very sexy and could facilitate in conversation with the rednecks that you pass on the sidewalk.
Streamers are a must for any cruiser.
I used to work at Al's and they do have a great selection of bicycles there. Not to mention the staff is always friendly, helpful and extremely hot and rugged. Rowr.
I wish I lived closer to school (and not on an extremely dangerous road without any kind of shoulder or sidewalk) so I could ride my bike every day. I'm jealous!
Yes to all upgrades on the new bike. Congrats!
PS The Big O LOVES the bell on his tricycle. He says he needs it to scare the birds.
Nem, that's great that you and a three year old like the same bike accessories. Did you tell them your helmet has pretty butterflies on it?
If you ever see me with a bike helmet, please just kill me on the spot.
On the mission I had a helmet that read "SPECIAL ED" on the side. I thought it was appropriate . . . and was so disappointed when I recently (we're talking like a month ago) realized that it originally read "SPECIALIZED". I thought it was some clueless German helmet company who didn't know about Special Ed.
A good friend of mine still has a face thanks to her helmet. I know they're dorky and make your head sweat. But at least they help you "save face" (hahaha - sorry).
In Japan everyone rides cruisers and no one wears helmets. But this one time I saw a guy wearing one, and on the back of it were the words of "Neba Gibu Apu." Go on--say it out loud. SO inspiring!
You could make a little message like that out of pink electrical tape on the back of your helmet, and THEN it wouldn't matter what your hair looked like--you'd be cool.
Also, what you do is clip a playing card on your forks and in between your spokes with a clothespin. There is nothing as awesome as that sound!
What a coincidence! I just biked to work for the first time on Tuesday. I decided that before I went out and bought a bike, I would see if biking to work is actually something I'd want to do on a regular basis. The jury is still out. I almost died. No, not by getting hit by a car, but by the fact that I couldn't breath, or forgot to breath or something. Basically by the time I got there (15 minutes! it was fast!) I was ready to keel over puking my guts out. Maybe I pushed it too hard. The one thing I do know is that if I do end up buying a bike, I am for SURE going to get one of those fat bike seats. My bum's still sore.
Your helmet sounds awesome! Yeah, it might mess up the hair, but just may save your life too.
Thank you for helping to protect the environment by choosing to cycle. I applaud you :-)
Wear the helmet with pride. It could be as important to you as a seat-belt is for somebody in a car-crash.
Welcome to the bike club!
I also hate helmets. That's why I don't have one. I'll probably be singing a different tune when my head is splattered over the road like a watermelon, but I'll be dead so I won't care.
I have a bike rack permanently in place on the back of my car -- we should go out riding!
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