Remember how I bought a beater bike last year? - I wanted to see if I would like biking enough to justify buying a really cute bike, that was also a little more sturdy and had a few more bells and whistles (Actually, I only needed 1 bell, and no whistles, but you get the idea)
That is what led me, a few months ago, to go into a LBS, just to see what was available. I had been doing a little bit of research online, so I wouldn't find myself in exactly the situation that occured. I didn't want to look like I had no clue about what I wanted, and what I was talking about. Let me preface this whole thing by saying that, as I mentioned in my previous post, looks trump all! So yes, I wanted an awesome bike, that had all the things I was looking for.. but I also wanted to look mega-cute while riding my bike!
So.. my research had me looking and finally even understanding what is meant by different components, different frame materials, different styles of bikes (once I even told Bhel all about my research into French vs. Italian vs Dutch style frames, and as we were walking along, I would point them out to her). All this to say, that when I walked in to that LBS, I was no n008 (n00b?).
So I walk in, and lay down my specs! "I'm a hard-core biker, commute 25km round trip, several times a week (but not in the winter, are you crazy? Well actually, winter bikers aren't crazy, I'm just not into that), I'm no FWB (Fair-weather biker, for those not in the know - except for the fact that I started my own bike club... the Fair-weather Bike Club. In retrospect, the title might have been a mistake but I already got my letterhead printed...)".
So the guy, takes me to the bike section where the window is, and... I may have kind of casually mentioned, why are some bikes on one side of the store and others on the completely other end of the store (this is where is gets interesting). "Oh, we keep those bikes on that side to keep out the riff-raff" he says to me. That's fine, he was taking me to the hard-core side! No worries there.
Anyway, he shows me a pretty nice bike, a Raleigh (don't remember the model off the top of my head), hybrid, 24 speed, last year's model so on sale at a great price - but... not really what I'm looking for. No fenders, no rear rack, but I could have added those on if the bike fit me well and I liked the way it rode. But.. the deal break? Black. So I asked, "does it come in any other colours?"
Answer? "No, but I don't mind black." Me thinking - but.... *I* mind black, I will definetly not look cute riding a black bike.
I may have looked a little apprehensive because then he started showing me some other bikes that were in white or grey or something, but that weren't hybrids, had no features I wanted, and all-around not for me. THEN, he took to over... to the other side of the store.. you know.. the riff-raff section? He said, "I think one of these bikes might be better suited to you." Uh.. I don't think so... Full on dutch bike? Heavy frame? Not made for commuting long distances at all. Who did he think I was? Didn't I mention what I was looking for?
I kindly thanked him for his time, and left the store feeling very put-off... I am not riff-raff.. I want a good bike, that meets all of my needs.. and I want it to come in a nice colour. I ended up spending a good chunk of $ on my bike (story to be maybe told later)... I'm not about to spend that kind of money on a bike that is ugly.
Showing posts with label Commuting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Commuting. Show all posts
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Beater Bike
Now that I'm a hardcore biker, I deserve a new bike. Well actually, because I got a fairly sizeable chunk of money I deserve a new bike. But before I tell you of my adventures in trying to find a new bike, I'll start with talking about my old bike.
(ok, well I haven't gotten around to taking a picture of my bike - it is currently still sitting in my storage locker, next to all my other sporting equipment. Instead, here is a quick description - bright turquoise SuperCycle bike, probably from the late 90s, with fenders and a nice rear rack - It also includes my life-hack - neon pink milk crate attached to my rear rack for bonus storage space)
This is my bike. Biggest pro about this bike - It looks so cute, I love the colours! Cons? Heavy and the chain slips off if I go over too big a bump. But the pretty-factor wins out every time.
Last year, I went to a local bike sale hosted by the Boy Scouts (and Girl Scouts too) because I had decided that it was totally possible to bike 13kms for work. It would save money in gas (to be re-allocated to Shawarma and Booster Juice!), it would get me active in the mornings and afternoons, it would be fun and get me in tip-top shape. But before I totally committed to it, I would need to make sure it actually was possible. So I decided to buy myself a cheap bike to see if I liked it. Introducing the Kermit.
As those who know me, know - I suck at directions. Like, really suck. Actually, I think one of my early blog posts on my 1001 things mentions this particular talent of mine. So I google maped (and studied the street-view) a route and printed it off. Then I took Kermit on a test ride on the weekend. I even arranged to have my mother be available to pick me up should I decide that a return trip was not possible. After a few detours and back-tracks, an hour later, I could see my work down the road. I decided that seeing it was enough, I didn't actually need to make it there and touch the end point (what I do when running). I called my mom, called off the ride, and headed back. Another hour later, where I daringly improvised parts of the route to make it less confusing, I reached my apartment, completely exhausted. My mom was there with a meat pie in hand to congratulate me on my accomplishment.
I didn't bike to work that week, my butt was a little sore. The week after though, I was ready! I packed everything in my nice pink milk crate and headed out to work with my sister (well, only the first 30 seconds with her - basically until the end of the parking garage). Made it to work in 50 mins - only getting lost once on the way! Success!
Until I made it to work, and couldn't figure out how to get hot water in the shower... fail.
(ok, well I haven't gotten around to taking a picture of my bike - it is currently still sitting in my storage locker, next to all my other sporting equipment. Instead, here is a quick description - bright turquoise SuperCycle bike, probably from the late 90s, with fenders and a nice rear rack - It also includes my life-hack - neon pink milk crate attached to my rear rack for bonus storage space)
This is my bike. Biggest pro about this bike - It looks so cute, I love the colours! Cons? Heavy and the chain slips off if I go over too big a bump. But the pretty-factor wins out every time.
Last year, I went to a local bike sale hosted by the Boy Scouts (and Girl Scouts too) because I had decided that it was totally possible to bike 13kms for work. It would save money in gas (to be re-allocated to Shawarma and Booster Juice!), it would get me active in the mornings and afternoons, it would be fun and get me in tip-top shape. But before I totally committed to it, I would need to make sure it actually was possible. So I decided to buy myself a cheap bike to see if I liked it. Introducing the Kermit.
As those who know me, know - I suck at directions. Like, really suck. Actually, I think one of my early blog posts on my 1001 things mentions this particular talent of mine. So I google maped (and studied the street-view) a route and printed it off. Then I took Kermit on a test ride on the weekend. I even arranged to have my mother be available to pick me up should I decide that a return trip was not possible. After a few detours and back-tracks, an hour later, I could see my work down the road. I decided that seeing it was enough, I didn't actually need to make it there and touch the end point (what I do when running). I called my mom, called off the ride, and headed back. Another hour later, where I daringly improvised parts of the route to make it less confusing, I reached my apartment, completely exhausted. My mom was there with a meat pie in hand to congratulate me on my accomplishment.
I didn't bike to work that week, my butt was a little sore. The week after though, I was ready! I packed everything in my nice pink milk crate and headed out to work with my sister (well, only the first 30 seconds with her - basically until the end of the parking garage). Made it to work in 50 mins - only getting lost once on the way! Success!
Until I made it to work, and couldn't figure out how to get hot water in the shower... fail.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Re-launching my blog
Instead of starting a new blog, I have decided to rebrand my current blog. This way, I already have fun content, but I will have new stuff to add to it.
A little about me: Although I've known how to bike since I was a kid, it had been years since I've actually ridden one. This wasn't helped by the fact that my former bike had no seat. Last year, I made the decision to begin commuting 13km to work each way (about 25km round trip). I bought a cute green hybrid for 40$ and outfitted it with an amazing neon pink milk crate. It makes me look so cute! Like, adorably cute! And everyone at work knows its mine. "Hey, I saw your bright pink milk crate this morning!" One time, I was meeting a friend at Starbucks and my sister walks in to saying, "I knew you were here, I saw your milk crate outside."
Last year, I only biked when it was sunny, and stopped once the snow hit. But, before you go thinking I'm only a fair-weather biker, note that even when it was frosty outside, I still biked to work, all bundled up. But the snow? That was a little too much for me. My people come from the tropics. When they first came to Canada, they described snow like falling garlic skins... I'm allowed to drive in the winter!
This year I'm thinking I will bike even in the rain, but I have back-up bus tickets just in case I change my mind... But, as I recently took the bus for the first time last week, I found out it takes justs as long to bus to work as it does to bike. In that case, might as well bike and spend my 3.50$ on food and electricity to heat my water tank after taking a long shower!
So, now that the switch over to the bike-friendly interface has taken over, prepare yourself (and by yourself, I am talking to my 1 dedicated reader) for all my biking-related posts that I have planned for you!
A little about me: Although I've known how to bike since I was a kid, it had been years since I've actually ridden one. This wasn't helped by the fact that my former bike had no seat. Last year, I made the decision to begin commuting 13km to work each way (about 25km round trip). I bought a cute green hybrid for 40$ and outfitted it with an amazing neon pink milk crate. It makes me look so cute! Like, adorably cute! And everyone at work knows its mine. "Hey, I saw your bright pink milk crate this morning!" One time, I was meeting a friend at Starbucks and my sister walks in to saying, "I knew you were here, I saw your milk crate outside."
Last year, I only biked when it was sunny, and stopped once the snow hit. But, before you go thinking I'm only a fair-weather biker, note that even when it was frosty outside, I still biked to work, all bundled up. But the snow? That was a little too much for me. My people come from the tropics. When they first came to Canada, they described snow like falling garlic skins... I'm allowed to drive in the winter!
This year I'm thinking I will bike even in the rain, but I have back-up bus tickets just in case I change my mind... But, as I recently took the bus for the first time last week, I found out it takes justs as long to bus to work as it does to bike. In that case, might as well bike and spend my 3.50$ on food and electricity to heat my water tank after taking a long shower!
So, now that the switch over to the bike-friendly interface has taken over, prepare yourself (and by yourself, I am talking to my 1 dedicated reader) for all my biking-related posts that I have planned for you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)