>Mundo with Bread Platform

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Though it may look like it, that is not my Mundo pictured above. These are pictures sent in from Dan, a reader of this blog and fellow Mundo rider (thanks Dan!).

During the course of posts, comments, and virtual conversation, a few of us were curious as to how the Mundo bread platform mounted to the bike, so Dan sent us some photos. Personally, I was curious because I am interested on mounting one on my winter bike, the Mule, making it a sort of shorter winter cargo bike.

Stefan, over at Mein Yuba Mundo, sent me this link of a German off-shoot of the Mundo with a very similar rack. He was also kind enough to translate the important parts for me, and it reads as thus:  “This practical platform can be mounted on most other bikes.”

I’ve been thinking about ordering one for a while but have been put off by the price…$119 seems a little steep, but when I compared it to others on the market it looks comparable, and it certainly looks sturdy. I’ll without doubt get my use out of it no matter which bike I mount it on. Looks like I’m going to bite the bullet and order one.  I’ll keep you posted.

Thanks for the pics and links guys. Click the below photos to see a closer view.

Autumnal Contemplations

Autumn has always been my favorite season…I love the cool crisp air and how it smells, and I like wearing fall clothes. I also enjoy not sweating in the kitchen (both at my job and at home). But it also puts me in a contemplative mood at times..and this is not a bad thing (at least not for myself). Maybe it’s the fact that summer is over and trees are nearly stripped of their leaves (which I find beautiful in it’s own way). Maybe it’s knowing that winter is ahead, and in this area that can be serious business. But in the same way that spring reminds me of rebirth, autumn makes me think of death. I don’t mean this in a morbid physical way, but more in a personal, internal one…a time for me to reassess things on a personal level; a time to get centered. And in an odd way, maybe it’s not that odd–amidst the earlier than usual television bombardment of holiday adverts–this makes me feel content; grateful.

Tonight I also thought of the incredible courage Allen and Violet Large had when they won millions and gave it all away…simply because they were content and felt they had enough of what they need, which it seems to me was mostly each other (click here to read more about them).

It was warm earlier in the day, and as I rode home tonight with the chilly air on my face I realized I should have worn a heavier jacket…I shivered a little. As I came to an incline in the rode and approached a busy intersection I stood on my pedals and coasted so I could see if any cars were to turn into my path. And it felt good, as I coasted and shivered a little. As much as I pedaled and coasted I never fully warmed up, but it was OK because sometimes, I believe, it is good for a person to be a little uncomfortable. Being in the autumn air and feeling a little cold made me remember that while I may not always have everything I want, I most surely have everything I need. Sometimes I need to be reminded of this.

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
1 Timothy 6:7-8 (NIV)

 

>Autumnal Contemplations

>

Autumn has always been my favorite season…I love the cool crisp air and how it smells, and I like wearing fall clothes. I also enjoy not sweating in the kitchen (both at my job and at home). But it also puts me in a contemplative mood at times..and this is not a bad thing (at least not for myself). Maybe it’s the fact that summer is over and trees are nearly stripped of their leaves (which I find beautiful in it’s own way). Maybe it’s knowing that winter is ahead, and in this area that can be serious business. But in the same way that spring reminds me of rebirth, autumn makes me think of death. I don’t mean this in a morbid physical way, but more in a personal, internal one…a time for me to reassess things on a personal level; a time to get centered. And in an odd way, maybe it’s not that odd–amidst the earlier than usual television bombardment of holiday adverts–this makes me feel content; grateful.

Tonight I also thought of the incredible courage Allen and Violet Large had when they won millions and gave it all away…simply because they were content and felt they had enough of what they need, which it seems to me was mostly each other (click here to read more about them).

It was warm earlier in the day, and as I rode home tonight with the chilly air on my face I realized I should have worn a heavier jacket…I shivered a little. As I came to an incline in the rode and approached a busy intersection I stood on my pedals and coasted so I could see if any cars were to turn into my path. And it felt good, as I coasted and shivered a little. As much as I pedaled and coasted I never fully warmed up, but it was OK because sometimes, I believe, it is good for a person to be a little uncomfortable. Being in the autumn air and feeling a little cold made me remember that while I may not always have everything I want, I most surely have everything I need. Sometimes I need to be reminded of this.

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
1 Timothy 6:7-8 (NIV)

 

Beautiful Rustic Bread Made with Just Four Ingredients and a Few Simple Steps

If you’ve been to this blog before you know that I am a proponent of making your own bread. Contrary to common misconception it is neither difficult or time consuming…it basically makes itself, you simply combine the ingredients and guide it along. This is the most basic recipe using the most minimal ingredients…and it’s because of it’s simplicity that I also feel that this one of the best loaves.

I do have to confess one thing, and that is that while I state that it has four ingredients it actually has five…that is if you want to count the two separate flours (bread flour and whole wheat); I’ve included them as one ingredient because they basically are…one (the bread flour) is simply a refined version of the other (whole wheat). For an actual typed recipe for this bread, click here; for a recipe for bread made with 100% whole wheat flour, click here.

Anyhow, to make this bread you will need these simple ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast.

This is the equipment you will need: a bowl, an electric upright mixer (or you can mix the dough by hand), a bowl or bucket, a sharp knife or razor (to slash the dough), a baking sheet (or bread pan if you want a traditional sandwich loaf), and an oven.

This recipe will make one really big loaf (as pictured) or two regular sized loaves. Now here’s how to make the bread:

Make a preferment by combining 2 teaspoons of instant yeast with 2 cups of whole wheat flour and 2 1/2 cups cool water. Stir it (it will have a batter-like consistency), cover it, and set it aside. Now go about whatever business you have for your day. This can rest and ferment for anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours (or longer if you refrigerate it).

Below left is the preferment when it was just mixed, and right is how it looks after a couple hours; the bottom of the three is it being lifted with a spoon to illustrate how frothy and bubbly it has become.

Transfer the preferment to the bowl of an upright mixer that is fitted with a dough hook. Add 4 cups of bread flour, another teaspoon of instant yeast, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of Kosher or sea salt (try not to have the yeast and salt come into direct contact with each other).  Run the machine on low for a minute–until it begins to form a dough–then turn it up to medium and knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes (alternately you can knead it by hand for about 15 minutes).

Transfer the dough to a bowl or bucket and cover it with either plastic wrap or a lid (I prefer a bucket as you can see the dough’s progress). Allow the dough to ferment and rise at room temperature for 60-90 minutes, or until doubled in size. On a side note, if you start a dough and realize you don’t have time to bake the bread the dough can be refrigerated for a couple days (which will actually give you a more flavorful bread) or it can be frozen. The below left photo is the dough when it was initially placed in the bucket; the photo on the right is the dough after 90 minutes.

Shape the dough into a ball and place it on a pan that is lightly dusted with whole wheat flour. Cover the dough; this can be done with plastic wrap, but I prefer an inverted bowl as it does not come in contact with the rising loaf, thus it is not restricted. Preheat an oven to 425F and allow the bread to rise for 30-60 minutes at room temperature. The below left photo is the dough when it was initially shaped, then covered with the bowl (right). The bottom photo is the dough after about 60 minutes.

Using a sharp knife or razor blade slash the dough (I prefer a single-sided razor blade but there is an actual tool for this). Slashing the dough is twofold; it is for aesthetic purposes but it also allows the inner, unbaked dough to rise after the crust has formed.

Immediately after slashing the dough place it in the preheated oven; if you have a few ice cubes handy toss them onto the oven floor to create a little steam (this will offer increased “oven spring” and a crispier crust). Bake the bread for about 30-40 minutes, until it is golden brown, feels light for it’s size, and sounds hollow when tapped with a finger. Remove the bread from its pan and transfer to a cooling rack. Tempting as it may be, allow it to cool for 15 minutes before slicing (it will have better flavor and slice easier).

Now your house will be warm and cozy and smell intoxicatingly like fresh bread.

>Beautiful Rustic Bread Made with Just Four Ingredients and a Few Simple Steps

>

If you’ve been to this blog before you know that I am a proponent of making your own bread. Contrary to common misconception it is neither difficult or time consuming…it basically makes itself, you simply combine the ingredients and guide it along. This is the most basic recipe using the most minimal ingredients…and it’s because of it’s simplicity that I also feel that this one of the best loaves.

I do have to confess one thing, and that is that while I state that it has four ingredients it actually has five…that is if you want to count the two separate flours (bread flour and whole wheat); I’ve included them as one ingredient because they basically are…one (the bread flour) is simply a refined version of the other (whole wheat). For an actual typed recipe for this bread, click here; for a recipe for bread made with 100% whole wheat flour, click here.

Anyhow, to make this bread you will need these simple ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast.

This is the equipment you will need: a bowl, an electric upright mixer (or you can mix the dough by hand), a bowl or bucket, a sharp knife or razor (to slash the dough), a baking sheet (or bread pan if you want a traditional sandwich loaf), and an oven.

This recipe will make one really big loaf (as pictured) or two regular sized loaves. Now here’s how to make the bread:

Make a preferment by combining 2 teaspoons of instant yeast with 2 cups of whole wheat flour and 2 1/2 cups cool water. Stir it (it will have a batter-like consistency), cover it, and set it aside. Now go about whatever business you have for your day. This can rest and ferment for anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours (or longer if you refrigerate it).

Below left is the preferment when it was just mixed, and right is how it looks after a couple hours; the bottom of the three is it being lifted with a spoon to illustrate how frothy and bubbly it has become.

Transfer the preferment to the bowl of an upright mixer that is fitted with a dough hook. Add 4 cups of bread flour, another teaspoon of instant yeast, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of Kosher or sea salt (try not to have the yeast and salt come into direct contact with each other).  Run the machine on low for a minute–until it begins to form a dough–then turn it up to medium and knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes (alternately you can knead it by hand for about 15 minutes).

Transfer the dough to a bowl or bucket and cover it with either plastic wrap or a lid (I prefer a bucket as you can see the dough’s progress). Allow the dough to ferment and rise at room temperature for 60-90 minutes, or until doubled in size. On a side note, if you start a dough and realize you don’t have time to bake the bread the dough can be refrigerated for a couple days (which will actually give you a more flavorful bread) or it can be frozen. The below left photo is the dough when it was initially placed in the bucket; the photo on the right is the dough after 90 minutes.

Shape the dough into a ball and place it on a pan that is lightly dusted with whole wheat flour. Cover the dough; this can be done with plastic wrap, but I prefer an inverted bowl as it does not come in contact with the rising loaf, thus it is not restricted. Preheat an oven to 425F and allow the bread to rise for 30-60 minutes at room temperature. The below left photo is the dough when it was initially shaped, then covered with the bowl (right). The bottom photo is the dough after about 60 minutes.

Using a sharp knife or razor blade slash the dough (I prefer a single-sided razor blade but there is an actual tool for this). Slashing the dough is twofold; it is for aesthetic purposes but it also allows the inner, unbaked dough to rise after the crust has formed.

Immediately after slashing the dough place it in the preheated oven; if you have a few ice cubes handy toss them onto the oven floor to create a little steam (this will offer increased “oven spring” and a crispier crust). Bake the bread for about 30-40 minutes, until it is golden brown, feels light for it’s size, and sounds hollow when tapped with a finger. Remove the bread from its pan and transfer to a cooling rack. Tempting as it may be, allow it to cool for 15 minutes before slicing (it will have better flavor and slice easier).

Now your house will be warm and cozy and smell intoxicatingly like fresh bread.

Another Pic from a Fellow Yuba Mundo Rider

This photo was sent to me by Don in Davis, California. He’s a photojournalist at university there and carries his gear with him to school.  Here is what’s on Don’s Mundo in his own words: 
Two Pelican cases holding Quantum battery packs and strobes, camera bag with full array of lenses and smaller strobes, 3 light stands, 2 softboxes. Basically a photo studio and then some. iPhone holder on handlebars for audiobooks for the morning commute, plus my book and water bottle. I roll the bike right into the building and into the room I’m photographing in. I barely notice the weight when I ride. It handles beautifully. The Mundo makes it all possible…and enjoyable.
Awesome! Thanks Don.

>Another Pic from a Fellow Yuba Mundo Rider

>

This photo was sent to me by Don in Davis, California. He’s a photojournalist at university there and carries his gear with him to school.  Here is what’s on Don’s Mundo in his own words: 
Two Pelican cases holding Quantum battery packs and strobes, camera bag with full array of lenses and smaller strobes, 3 light stands, 2 softboxes. Basically a photo studio and then some. iPhone holder on handlebars for audiobooks for the morning commute, plus my book and water bottle. I roll the bike right into the building and into the room I’m photographing in. I barely notice the weight when I ride. It handles beautifully. The Mundo makes it all possible…and enjoyable.
Awesome! Thanks Don.

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#235)…and a quick comment

2 quarts of milk
2 quarts of grape juice
5 bananas
12 apples
A pint of hummus 
A DVD
2 bundles of kindling

Tonight as I was leaving the grocery store and unlocking my bike a mother with her young daughter walked by. The girl couldn’t have been more than 4 or 5 years old. I’m used to getting stares and comments on the Mundo as it is rather “different looking”…especially when it’s loaded…but I’m not used to getting comments from young children (whose comments are the best because they are truly honest and “unfiltered” by adulthood). Anyhow, I could see the young girl looking at the bike–taking it all in–and then she says, “Mommy, look at that bike, that’s a really big bike!” “Yes it is honey,” the mother replied, as she smiled at me a little nervously. “Mommy,” the young girl continued, “when I grow up I want a bike like that so I can carry all my stuff; I’ll be able to carry all my toys on a bike like that.”

Now I was the one smiling.

Yes little girl, I hope you do get a bike like this when you grow up…and yes, also, you can carry all your toys on it.    🙂

>Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#235)…and a quick comment

>

2 quarts of milk
2 quarts of grape juice
5 bananas
12 apples
A pint of hummus 
A DVD
2 bundles of kindling

Tonight as I was leaving the grocery store and unlocking my bike a mother with her young daughter walked by. The girl couldn’t have been more than 4 or 5 years old. I’m used to getting stares and comments on the Mundo as it is rather “different looking”…especially when it’s loaded…but I’m not used to getting comments from young children (whose comments are the best because they are truly honest and “unfiltered” by adulthood). Anyhow, I could see the young girl looking at the bike–taking it all in–and then she says, “Mommy, look at that bike, that’s a really big bike!” “Yes it is honey,” the mother replied, as she smiled at me a little nervously. “Mommy,” the young girl continued, “when I grow up I want a bike like that so I can carry all my stuff; I’ll be able to carry all my toys on a bike like that.”

Now I was the one smiling.

Yes little girl, I hope you do get a bike like this when you grow up…and yes, also, you can carry all your toys on it.    🙂

Pics from Fellow Yuba Mundo Riders

These photos were sent to me by fellow Mundo riders (thanks guys!). The above photo is from Max. Besides carrying what looks to me like a child’s seat (or is it two?), he also has a full-sized Shop-Vac, various tools, and a Go-Getter bag on the other side. I like the front pannier rack Max…and is that a Stand Alone kickstand holding the bike up?
The below photo is from Dan in St. Catherines, ON. He tells me he has more than 45 lbs. (20.5k) in his Go-Getter bag. He also has the Yuba Bread Platform on the front. (Dan, I’m thinking about getting one, possibly two, does it seem like it would mount on other bikes besides the Yuba?).
Being the only person (that I know of) riding a Mundo in Buffalo I sometimes feel like I’m riding in a vacuum, like I have the only Mundo there is…it’s nice to see what others are doing and how they modify them. This is pretty cool. Thanks again for the pics guys; if you or others out there in the blogosphere have more that you feel like sending please do (and please do not think that this request is Mundo-specific–it just happens to be one of the bikes that I ride–or even cargo or longtail centric…bikes of all kinds carry stuff, but if you’re reading this you already know that).
I also find it interesting that (according to the header on their website and blog) the slogan at Yuba seems to be “What a bicycle can do“…judging by these pictures it couldn’t be more appropriate.

>Pics from Fellow Yuba Mundo Riders

>

These photos were sent to me by fellow Mundo riders (thanks guys!). The above photo is from Max. Besides carrying what looks to me like a child’s seat (or is it two?), he also has a full-sized Shop-Vac, various tools, and a Go-Getter bag on the other side. I like the front pannier rack Max…and is that a Stand Alone kickstand holding the bike up?
The below photo is from Dan in St. Catherines, ON. He tells me he has more than 45 lbs. (20.5k) in his Go-Getter bag. He also has the Yuba Bread Platform on the front. (Dan, I’m thinking about getting one, possibly two, does it seem like it would mount on other bikes besides the Yuba?).
Being the only person (that I know of) riding a Mundo in Buffalo I sometimes feel like I’m riding in a vacuum, like I have the only Mundo there is…it’s nice to see what others are doing and how they modify them. This is pretty cool. Thanks again for the pics guys; if you or others out there in the blogosphere have more that you feel like sending please do (and please do not think that this request is Mundo-specific–it just happens to be one of the bikes that I ride–or even cargo or longtail centric…bikes of all kinds carry stuff, but if you’re reading this you already know that).
I also find it interesting that (according to the header on their website and blog) the slogan at Yuba seems to be “What a bicycle can do“…judging by these pictures it couldn’t be more appropriate.

Truly Inspiring

By now many of you have probably heard this incredibly inspiring story, but I was so moved by it I thought I’d post it anyhow. The story I am referring to is that of the elderly Canadian couple, Allen and Violet Large, who won big in the lottery, really big…more than $11 million big. And then they gave nearly all of it away, but they kept the money in their local community. They won’t disclose how much they gave to each organization, but they donated money to schools, churches, the fire department, the Red Cross, hospitals, and a cemetery.

I keep saying that I have to start playing the lottery, and that  if I won big I would give some of it away (the key word here is “some”)…I have to be honest and say that I don’t know if I could do what they did…it is a true inspiration (at least to me it is).

‘That money that we won was nothing,’ Allen told the Toronto Star. ‘We have each other.’

To read the full story click here.

>Truly Inspiring

>

By now many of you have probably heard this incredibly inspiring story, but I was so moved by it I thought I’d post it anyhow. The story I am referring to is that of the elderly Canadian couple, Allen and Violet Large, who won big in the lottery, really big…more than $11 million big. And then they gave nearly all of it away, but they kept the money in their local community. They won’t disclose how much they gave to each organization, but they donated money to schools, churches, the fire department, the Red Cross, hospitals, and a cemetery.

I keep saying that I have to start playing the lottery, and that  if I won big I would give some of it away (the key word here is “some”)…I have to be honest and say that I don’t know if I could do what they did…it is a true inspiration (at least to me it is).

‘That money that we won was nothing,’ Allen told the Toronto Star. ‘We have each other.’

To read the full story click here.

Tomato, Pepper, and Potato Stove-Top Frittata

 
I’ve posted recipes for this classic Italian egg dish before (click here, here, or here for additional recipes and pictures) but what’s interesting about this, I think, is that I’m still using vegetables from the garden (fresh, not fermented). The tomatoes have been ripening on a shelf in my kitchen for the past 9 days or so, and the peppers were part of my last harvest (I use the term loosely) that I picked a couple weeks a go. This is an exceedingly easy recipe to prepare, and it’s filling, delicious, and nutritious…and you can add whatever ingredients you happen to have on hand.