Notice the highly sought after frame treatment on this model:
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Grocery shopping w/ the Peugeot
Have I mentioned that I love Trader Joe's? With some route creativity, our local store is only about 2.5 miles away--a perfect candidate for grocery shopping by bike. I saddled up with my three-year-old in the iBert (a product of Utah), two Basil panniers (I'm secure in my manhood), and a grocery list. Trader Joe's has a nice selection of bike parking as well, thanks, guys.
As always, I had to repack everything in the panniers, as the typical grocery bagger is unfamiliar with the dynamics of hauling groceries by bike. I ended up filling up the two panniers and another "green" reusable Trader Joe's grocery bag. Here are the results:
As always, I had to repack everything in the panniers, as the typical grocery bagger is unfamiliar with the dynamics of hauling groceries by bike. I ended up filling up the two panniers and another "green" reusable Trader Joe's grocery bag. Here are the results:
- 5 lb bag of red potatoes
- Container of cherry tomatoes
- Container of strawberries
- 1lb whole mushrooms
- Trader Joe's pork dinner
- 5 lb chicken thighs
- 1lb sliced ham
- Frozen vegetables
- 1 pint half & half
- 1lb butter
- 1qt chicken broth
- Lemon
- Pizza dough x 2
- Pepperoni
- Shredded cheese
- 2 boxes of cereal
- 1 gallon milk
- 1 head of lettuce
- 4 cans of corn
- 4-pack of Virgil's root beer
- Fruit leather ends & pieces
- 1/2 gallon apple juice
- 1/2 gallon grape juice
- Salad dressing
- Pizza sauce
- Box of cheese sticks
- 3 boxes mac 'n cheese
- Potato chips
- Flour tortillas
- 1 loaf of bread
Not too bad, eh? Needless to say, I have a project underway that will increase cargo capacity of the Peugeot. Looking forward to it.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Why I Ride - Part 2 In Series
Most of my blog postings are about the fun I have while transporting myself and family on a bicycle. A few months ago, I wrote about one of the foundations for my choice to go by bike, and I have several more of these reasons to share as I balance writing about my enjoyment of riding with my foundations for riding. Today, I will explain as best I can another reason of Why I Ride.
February 8, 1979. December 22, 1981. The former is the day Inez Ingles McBride, my grandmother, passed away. The latter is my birthdate. She was 52. Cause of death: heart failure. The exact causes or conditions related to her passing are unknown, as her heart simply gave up. From what I am told and have read, she was full of life, and would appear from the outside to be healthy and fit. I'm sure you did the math a minute ago and realized that I was born after her passing; I never met her. Not mathematically possible. I did know her husband, grandpa Cliff, and he is the subject of my post referenced above.
52 years old. I remember my mother stopping and contemplating her own life on the day she turned older than her mom ever was. I can't imagine losing a parent at the age of 22, and going through marriage and parenthood without that same-gender parental influence on which I have so casually relied in my own life. I am indeed not grateful enough for my parents, nor for what I and my children (their grandchildren) are blessed with.
Thinking forward, as I have grown accustomed to doing as of late, I think of my desires to be a welcomed influence in the lives of my children and grandchildren. I think the best way to be a part of someone's life is to be alive, hence this connection of my grandmother to Why I Ride. So far, I have described two of my four grandparents--details on the other two are forthcoming--whose lives were stopped short due to opposite problems: one's lifestyle led to premature death, while the other's seemed to be good enough. I think I read in Trader Joe's today that "Good Enough Is Not Good Enough." Well put, Joe. I cannot believe that "good enough" will be good enough.
Since my genes are in part my grandmother's, I choose to ride. When it's cold, rainy, snowy, or even sweltering, my legs automatically coax me onto the saddle and into a smooth pedal stroke, gyroscopically propelling me about my way. Is cycling the best solution to improve my health and ensure a healthy heart? Who knows? What I do know is that I find peace on the bike (always sans iPod), I feel stronger, and I am one less car congesting the streets. Love you, grandma.
February 8, 1979. December 22, 1981. The former is the day Inez Ingles McBride, my grandmother, passed away. The latter is my birthdate. She was 52. Cause of death: heart failure. The exact causes or conditions related to her passing are unknown, as her heart simply gave up. From what I am told and have read, she was full of life, and would appear from the outside to be healthy and fit. I'm sure you did the math a minute ago and realized that I was born after her passing; I never met her. Not mathematically possible. I did know her husband, grandpa Cliff, and he is the subject of my post referenced above.
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| Photo Courtesy of Dennis Ingles, PicasaWeb |
52 years old. I remember my mother stopping and contemplating her own life on the day she turned older than her mom ever was. I can't imagine losing a parent at the age of 22, and going through marriage and parenthood without that same-gender parental influence on which I have so casually relied in my own life. I am indeed not grateful enough for my parents, nor for what I and my children (their grandchildren) are blessed with.
Thinking forward, as I have grown accustomed to doing as of late, I think of my desires to be a welcomed influence in the lives of my children and grandchildren. I think the best way to be a part of someone's life is to be alive, hence this connection of my grandmother to Why I Ride. So far, I have described two of my four grandparents--details on the other two are forthcoming--whose lives were stopped short due to opposite problems: one's lifestyle led to premature death, while the other's seemed to be good enough. I think I read in Trader Joe's today that "Good Enough Is Not Good Enough." Well put, Joe. I cannot believe that "good enough" will be good enough.
Since my genes are in part my grandmother's, I choose to ride. When it's cold, rainy, snowy, or even sweltering, my legs automatically coax me onto the saddle and into a smooth pedal stroke, gyroscopically propelling me about my way. Is cycling the best solution to improve my health and ensure a healthy heart? Who knows? What I do know is that I find peace on the bike (always sans iPod), I feel stronger, and I am one less car congesting the streets. Love you, grandma.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The Bad Color
I see all sorts of earth's wonders (people included) as I ride my bike about. One particular day, a windy storm from the night before rid a tree of its red-colored berries. The ground was covered. Honestly, it looked fake, but alas, real it was. Here is what I saw (featured on Bike Rumor's site):
If ever you've watched The Village, you would be scared of Those We Don't Speak Of. Be careful out there.
Monday, October 4, 2010
What Bike Folds Smaller Than a Brompton?
Why, nothing but a miniature Brompton, silly!
Brad sent me this surprise in the mail, which came all the way from Japan. After I was shocked and awed, I opened up the box and started assembly.
Brad sent me this surprise in the mail, which came all the way from Japan. After I was shocked and awed, I opened up the box and started assembly.
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| It's only the 3-speed version |
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| I'll see if I can order a Brooks. |
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| See, it folds smaller. |
I'll probably change some colors w/ markers/paint.
Side note--I took the Brompton to the Mansion Hill Inn tonight for a Ride the Drive volunteer party. John Burke, Trek's president, and Madison's Mayor Dave were there, making for a great evening. I valet parked the Brompton over by the bar. When riding is fun, is a shared passion, and is convenient, more riding happens. Great leaders such as those mentioned above make riding more safe, more accessible, and a more feasible mode of transportation. Keep up the good work.
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