To say I like my new bike is an understatement. It makes me very happy. It makes places in the area that are too far away to walk easily accessible--without a car. I feel like a part of my community now, when I can ride around and wave at people and say "hello" instead of being sealed up in my little pod. How much do I love my bike? Well, consider how I acted last Friday, when I went to work with my bike mounted on the back of my car so I could take it with me to Yosemite when I left straight from work:
1. When some idiot swerved into the lane behind me within less than a yard of my bumper, my first thought was, "Oh no! Don't hit my bike!!" Never mind that the cost of the damage he would do to my car by just denting it would be significantly more than the replacement value of my bike.
2. I drove when I went out to lunch with friends from work. Rather than leave my bike locked to my car rack in the parking lot, I brought it *into the restaurant* (well, okay, onto the patio where you can eat just outside the restaurant). Maybe some of you who live in crunchy bike-towns wouldn't think anything of that, but I've never seen anyone do that around here. Ever.
3. When the waiter commented on what a great bike I have, my first thought was, "See, it's a good thing I brought my bike in with me. Otherwise, this guy would be out in the parking lot right now stealing my awesome bike."
Don't touch my bike.
Posted by waltondammerung at September 22, 2006 7:39 PMYou went to Yosemite without me?!?!? :-( It's okay, I still love you. That's awesome that the waiter was lusting after your bike :-) Cars are SOOOO much less cool than bikes!
Posted by: Kwin at September 22, 2006 10:32 PMShe didn't think so as a teenager!
Posted by: Dad at September 23, 2006 6:06 AMAnd I thought this was going to be a "I'm so glad Josh is back home" post.
Posted by: Mom at September 23, 2006 6:16 AMI think the time has come to take your relationship to the next level: you need to name your bike. No more of this "my bike, this bike" stuff. And if you want to make sure noone touches it, you can put one of this band's stickers on it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Bike_Is_A_Pipe_Bomb
Unless, of course, you're one of Ohio University's finest:
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/news-story.php?story=170049
Hey, I'm one of Ohio University's finest! When I saw that story last spring, I immediately contacted my former editor at the Athens News, and we agreed that the entire sitation was hilarious, especially since the cops blockaded the entire length of Morton Hill and shut down the Oasis, which is where everyone went to buy cheap coffee and play pinball. And then they pried the poor dude's bike apart with some jaws of life contraption, and after realizing there was no bomb, they refused to reimburse the guy! Terry said the kid was charged with inducing a panic and the ACLU intervened on his behalf.
Guard your bike. As you know, my first bike was stolen in Beacon Hill, and some dumbwad stole the rear wheel off my new bike a few months ago. And just last week, I think someone was trying to rip it off again because when I came out of the office, the chain was messed up. It was fine when I'd parked it that morning. Luckily they fixed it at the bike shop free of charge.
And for the love of all things holy, get a U Lock. And a cable to lock your wheels. I'm speaking from experience here!
Biking rules. Hub on Wheels Bike-a-Thon is this weekend. Woo.
Posted by: Vicky at September 24, 2006 10:05 PMI love my bike too...but I must love it from afar as alas, I am forbidden to carry on for the near future with any sort of biking relationship. I must say, being 27 with a 50 year old acting body makes for much less outdoorsy fun, but will that stop me?? And remember the time my bike was crushed by some moronic drunk Delt alum that junior year weekend? Craziness from the Delts...imagine that...
Posted by: Tirzah at September 25, 2006 3:30 PMI bought my bike with money I earned when I was 15 years old. The bike has seen many trails in Michigan as well as Maryland. I have nurtured her and she has served me well these past.. uh hem.. fourteen years. (HOLEY MOLEY I AM OLD!) Care for your bike and she will be with you a long time!
Posted by: Sarah (Mrs. Irani) at October 25, 2006 6:46 PM