Did I tell you I bought myself a bike for my birthday? You know how they say "it's like riding a bike"? Well, it really is! It had probably been 25 years since I had ridden a bike, but it only took about 10 feet to stop wobbling the first time I tried out my new bike.
It's definitely an "old lady" bike, but I wanted something close to the kind of bike I rode when I was a kid. I hated the 10-speed/hand-brake bike I had in college, so this one has coaster brakes, sits up straight, and has only 3 speeds. I even considered getting just a 1-speed bike, but knew that Iowa City's hills would make me appreciate a few gears to shift between.
There's a nice bike path along the creek/pond behind my townhouse. It's practically flat (nothing here is really flat) and on Sunday morning, the only people I see are people pushing baby strollers and occasionally another middle-aged woman on a bike. Someday I'll venture beyond that path, but for now, it's nice to not have to worry about sharing space with cars.
Oh -- and why is the bike indoors? Because I don't have a garage or even anything to lock it to outside! Actually, I could put it out on the balcony, but I like protecting it from the elements. Around Thanksgiving, I'll probably load it into the car and take it to Mom's for the winter, so it won't be taking up space in my dining/sitting room all winter.
It's definitely an "old lady" bike, but I wanted something close to the kind of bike I rode when I was a kid. I hated the 10-speed/hand-brake bike I had in college, so this one has coaster brakes, sits up straight, and has only 3 speeds. I even considered getting just a 1-speed bike, but knew that Iowa City's hills would make me appreciate a few gears to shift between.
There's a nice bike path along the creek/pond behind my townhouse. It's practically flat (nothing here is really flat) and on Sunday morning, the only people I see are people pushing baby strollers and occasionally another middle-aged woman on a bike. Someday I'll venture beyond that path, but for now, it's nice to not have to worry about sharing space with cars.
Oh -- and why is the bike indoors? Because I don't have a garage or even anything to lock it to outside! Actually, I could put it out on the balcony, but I like protecting it from the elements. Around Thanksgiving, I'll probably load it into the car and take it to Mom's for the winter, so it won't be taking up space in my dining/sitting room all winter.
Some of you may not understand what's going on in these two photos, especially if you've never had to defrost a freezer. Actually, I don't think I had defrosted one since about 1983 until I moved here. The fridge that came with the place is about 30 years old, and must be defrosted.
Vinnie really wanted to help out with the cooler, but I needed to bring it upstairs to the kitchen, to put the food from the freezer in it while I defrosted. (Last night, I forced myself to eat the rest of the ice cream, because it wouldn't last in the cooler.)
About 5 minutes after I set the pan of boiling water in the freezer, that giant chunk of ice fell off the top of the compartment. By the time I finish this post, I think it will be ready to wipe and fill back up. It's really not a lot of work, but its annoying - and my stove is at least as old as the refrigerator! (Insert whining about the appliances I left behind in San Antonio.)
Vinnie really wanted to help out with the cooler, but I needed to bring it upstairs to the kitchen, to put the food from the freezer in it while I defrosted. (Last night, I forced myself to eat the rest of the ice cream, because it wouldn't last in the cooler.)
About 5 minutes after I set the pan of boiling water in the freezer, that giant chunk of ice fell off the top of the compartment. By the time I finish this post, I think it will be ready to wipe and fill back up. It's really not a lot of work, but its annoying - and my stove is at least as old as the refrigerator! (Insert whining about the appliances I left behind in San Antonio.)
And I have been knitting, too. I think I need two more pattern repeats on the body, and I'll be ready to move on to the sleeves of the October Lady Sweater. I really want this done by October 1, although Vinnie hates it when I knit with him in my lap. I figure he slows my already snail-like knitting pace down by 50%, as he constantly adjusts his position so that he's on top of the knitting!
9 comments:
Love the bike!! I know in MN they converted old RR lines to bike trails, maybe IA has some too. Have the leaves started turning color yet?
Look at you with your bike! I'm so glad you got it - I remember you saying you'd love to have a bike even back when you lived here in SA.
Vinnie is SO MUCH FUN! I'm glad he's a lap kitty and I just love that he wants to explore. :)
One of the biggest myths about the Midwest is that it's flat. OK, it is--except for Iowa...hooley booley--the hills!!!! You'll have fun with those on your kickin' bike!!
I want to get me one of those dorky urban backpack bikes that fold up really tiny.
Yay for new bikes! I'm a recreational biker (at best), and my husband bike commutes. I've found that a bike is one of the only ways to get around on football Saturdays in IC. And very smart move getting some gears. You could take the sidewalk down Mormon Trek, and then meet up with the trail behind the Hawkeye Apartments. It goes all the way down to the mall or can take you up to the Coralville strip by Applebees and straight to Crazy Girl Yarn. It would be a nice ride.
How inspiring that you have a bike! For a few years now I've been trying to get up the gumption to get a bike and try bike commuting. I like yours -- especially the fact that you can sit up by riding it.
We have to defrost our refrigerator here at work from time to time. We usually put it on a dolly and truck it outside in August, chain it to a fence, and just wait 30 minutes.
Good thing Vinnie guarded your food.
I bought a bike too... but mine has a tire problem and I've delayed going to get it fixed b/c ... well, the timing on their open hours and mine sux.
Meanwhile... how come I've never thought of the boiling water trick when it comes time to defrost our mini-fridge? DUH!
Cute bike! The biking thing is going around this summer, we just bought bikes ourselves back in May.
Django hates it when he sits in my lap, or on part of my lap (he's 70 pounds) and I knit. He'll growl at me. Probably because I poke him with the needles. But I should say Django's growl isn't a I'm bad dog growl, its a I think I'm a cat and they purr, so I will make this noise that's similar because I'm a cat.
Gorgeous sweater!
Do you have someplace you could wall mount a bike rack? Getting it up off the floor makes a lot of difference in how much space it takes up.
I love your bike! If I was going to get one, I would get one just like yours.
I have no idea how to defrost a freezer. Now tht I read your post I have a better idea!
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