More on the timewarp bike.
Aug. 4th, 2010 07:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gurdymonkeyBike helmets are designed to to withstand one impact incident and should be replaced afterwards, therefore, I wasn't going to spend a lot of money on something that's dorky looking no matter what color or shape it is. I hit Target at lunch break and picked one up for about $20, along with a bell for the handlebars.
The lock, however, is not something I wanted to skimp on. I also wanted to scope out a couple of the bike shops in town, just to see what sort of gear they have. I stopped at the place next to my opthalmologist's and picked out a Kryptonite U-lock and cable set because this bike was built in a kinder, gentler age, before someone came up with the idea of taking off the front wheels for locking them up. I also eyed up the gleaming row of Electra Cruisers displayed outside: and my bike is still cooler. Shop #2 had light sets, while shop# 1 sold front and rear lights separately. The sets were cheaper too, so my plan to scope out both stores worked out and I was able to patronize two local businesses. While I don't plan on riding after dark if I can help it, you never know. This bike doesn't even have a reflector mount on the rear fender. There's a big square white one screwed on below the handlebars, but that's it.
I decided to wait on the basket. When you see the photos of the front fender, you'll see why I'm hesitant to hide it under a basket.
Basic safety equipment acquired and installed, I took her for a spin.
Clogs are not quite as bad as flip flops, by the way, but not a wise choice. Stupid neighbor's cat followed me upstairs when I went to put my screwdriver away and I forgot to change my shoes while I shooed him out of the apartment. On the other hand, the reach to the ground was easier. (At least I am not as dumb as the kid I saw riding on the sidewalk texting one handed. Not quite.)
Except for last night, it has been literally decades since I biked anywhere. I'm way out of practice, and I am going to have to get used to riding again. Lincoln Avenue gets a fair bit of traffic, 25 mph limit or not. The shifters seem awkwardly placed (my last bike had a single shifter mounted right next to the hand grip). Since most of Alameda is fairly flat, I doubt I'll use most of the gears anyway. Plenty of uneven pavement to negotiate: the bike lane on Grand Street headed west across the old trolley tracks on Clement was not as scary as it looked.
Yes, that leather seat is as flat and as hard as it looks. Didn't go terribly far this evening, but I hope to get a little more ride time in tomorrow.
Yes, that's FIN on the front fender. 
The lock, however, is not something I wanted to skimp on. I also wanted to scope out a couple of the bike shops in town, just to see what sort of gear they have. I stopped at the place next to my opthalmologist's and picked out a Kryptonite U-lock and cable set because this bike was built in a kinder, gentler age, before someone came up with the idea of taking off the front wheels for locking them up. I also eyed up the gleaming row of Electra Cruisers displayed outside: and my bike is still cooler. Shop #2 had light sets, while shop# 1 sold front and rear lights separately. The sets were cheaper too, so my plan to scope out both stores worked out and I was able to patronize two local businesses. While I don't plan on riding after dark if I can help it, you never know. This bike doesn't even have a reflector mount on the rear fender. There's a big square white one screwed on below the handlebars, but that's it.
I decided to wait on the basket. When you see the photos of the front fender, you'll see why I'm hesitant to hide it under a basket.
Basic safety equipment acquired and installed, I took her for a spin.
Clogs are not quite as bad as flip flops, by the way, but not a wise choice. Stupid neighbor's cat followed me upstairs when I went to put my screwdriver away and I forgot to change my shoes while I shooed him out of the apartment. On the other hand, the reach to the ground was easier. (At least I am not as dumb as the kid I saw riding on the sidewalk texting one handed. Not quite.)
Except for last night, it has been literally decades since I biked anywhere. I'm way out of practice, and I am going to have to get used to riding again. Lincoln Avenue gets a fair bit of traffic, 25 mph limit or not. The shifters seem awkwardly placed (my last bike had a single shifter mounted right next to the hand grip). Since most of Alameda is fairly flat, I doubt I'll use most of the gears anyway. Plenty of uneven pavement to negotiate: the bike lane on Grand Street headed west across the old trolley tracks on Clement was not as scary as it looked.
Yes, that leather seat is as flat and as hard as it looks. Didn't go terribly far this evening, but I hope to get a little more ride time in tomorrow.
Yes, I should crawl around with a magnifying glass and find a serial number. Not only do I want to get her registered in case Kryptonite turns out not to be proof against supervillains, but I wouldn't mind a clue as to how old she is. 1960's or 70's maybe? I don't think 10-speeds go back further than that. A cursory cruise around the internet tells me that Murray no longer exists, their bikes have zero cachet, having been mass produced for sale through Sears, Firestone and other companies.
Yes, she's a she.
Yes, that's FIN on the front fender. 
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no subject
Date: 2010-08-05 04:04 am (UTC)Another basket vote. I need to measure the distance between the handlebars and that fender before I pick something out. All the ones I saw at the bike shops seemed awfully big.