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14September
2009

moving, watching, working, sleeping

maura @ 11:10 pm

So, I bought a bike. It’s funny, I’ve wanted a bike for ages, pining after the ones I walk by on the street, and then I finally get one and I don’t even mention it. Partly that’s because I haven’t ridden it as much as I’d like. We got them (one for Gus too, a used one for $40!) in late July but have been so busy that we’ve only really ridden them a couple of times. Gus essentially taught himself how to ride his. It came without training wheels: he just jumped on and pedaled away like he was born cycling. This past Sunday he and I rode the entire loop in the park, 3.35 miles!

Even though we haven’t ridden much I love my bike. Love love love it. It’s an older, used girl’s bike in pretty good condition, with 3 speeds and both coaster and hand brakes. It’s sort of a cloudy gray color, nothing fancy, but very dependable. Solid, you might say. I have yet to ensticker it but rest assured that’s coming soon.

I am still a little nervous about riding it on the street, but it’s getting better. Today was a work-from-home day and I decided to take my lunchtime to do a trial ride to work and back, about 20 minutes each way (so fast!). There’s a good route from here to there with bike lanes on most of the streets, and other than the occasional pesky van or delivery truck parked in the bike lane it was pretty easy. I even stopped to practice locking the bike up. I do admit to a tinge of nerves, still, when I think of leaving the bike locked up all day while I’m at work. I hope that it’s too old + boring to steal, but what if not?

On the bright side, I am already making a list of the bike accessories I will need to get. The bike has fenders (a plus), but I could use a rack over the rear wheel with those awesome folding side baskets to hold my bag + stuff. And a bell, of course. And maybe one of those gel seat covers, oooh, squishy.

“But,” you may ask, “whatever will you do with your scooter?” Never fear, there’s still a place for the scooter in my transportation stable. I’m not really prepared to ride the bike into Manhattan, so when I have meetings I will bring the scooter instead. And one good thing about the scooter is that I can fold it up and bring it to my office, so I don’t have to worry that it will get stolen. On the other hand, since the wheels are plastic it can be nearly unusable in even a light drizzle.

Maybe changing it up a bit is the best way to go: a couple of scooter days and a couple of bike days each week. Sounds like a planonus.

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5 comments on “moving, watching, working, sleeping”

Em (15 September 2009 at 11:45 am)

May I suggest I rear view mirror. I found it really helpful when I commuted by bike about a million years ago. I found it was a great way to get to work, and that I didn’t even get too sweaty.

I think you’ll need to post a picture : )

maura (15 September 2009 at 9:00 pm)

Oooh, good idea — I’ll add it to the list. Thanks! And I should post a picture soon. I keep not wanting to lock it up with all of the other bikes in the basement (what if it misses me?) so it’s spent much more time than is probably entirely good parked inside the front door of our apt.

Anne (15 September 2009 at 9:52 pm)

“I’m going to go out and start a paper route *right* now!!!”

maura (26 September 2009 at 5:22 pm)

If only it were as shiny and awesome as Pee-Wee’s bike! It’s still great, though.

Hey, did you see that Pee-Wee is on Twitter now?

mauraweb!» archive » spin that record (16 June 2010 at 10:36 pm)

[…] know I’ve whined about this before (here and here). I guess really I am still nervous about all of those things. It’s worth noting […]


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